Leather furniture makers recommend not using drying oils on leather as they will harden the leather too much – that means no hemp, walnut, linseed, or tung oil.
Most non-drying oils are also not recommended because they will go rancid. That includes DIY methods using olive oil, unrefined coconut oil, mayonnaise, peanut butter, etc.
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Should You Use Refined Coconut Oil?
Refined coconut oil is better than drying oils. Refining removes most of the coconut scent and the parts that go rancid, but it is also not a “drying oil”, so it will not polymerize and harden your leather.
Clarkes makes a great pure refined coconut oil with no other ingredients. I have used this oil for multiple purposes.
Many leather experts recommend against all oils on leather as it can stain them over time. This is especially risky on sofas, couches, and large items. I would avoid using this on furniture.
If you have an aniline or vegetable-dyed leather piece be sure to check with the manufacturer’s instructions to find the most natural product that will also work well on their leather.
Beeswax/Oil Mixes
Obenauf’s Leather Conditioner uses beeswax, propolis, and unidentified plant oils. It’s specifically created for leather, but like always I would still check with the brand of the leather piece you are conditioning before using a natural product.
JojoBa Oil
Jojoba oil is an interesting option. This is technically not an oil, it’s a wax in liquid form. It does not go rancid and the odor is light. Many claim it works well on leather. I’ve used it on wood, stone, skin, and hair.
EcoPell Leather Refresher
EcoPell Leather makes a leather refresher that is based on lanolin and olive oil. If I were to invest in furniture made with this leather I would go with the product that is specified for it.
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
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Rachel Myers
Hello, I would like to change the color of our blue leather sofa to brown. I found a brand called Rub n Restore that says they are low voc. It says the ingredients are the following:
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether – Also known as 2-butoxyethanol
Solvent Naphtha – More commonly known as mineral spirits
Titanium Oxide
Quartz (SiO2) – Also known as silica
Quartz
Would you consider this safe to use? If not do you have any other recommendations safely change the color of leather?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
That sounds like a partial ingredient list. That would not be safe for most chemically sensitive folks.
Rachel Myers
Thank you, that is really helpful to know!
CHARNY
I have 2 x camel leather chrome free wingbacks that started looking a bit dull. The chairs where imported from UAE. Now in South Africa. What is the best to oil/cream or dubbin. Some corners look about lighter. So I don’t what my chairs to get damaged