Have you ever wished that your leather goods didn’t smell quite so, well, leathery?
How pungent your leather smells will depend on many factors – what type of hide it’s made from (cow hide is generally pretty mild, but other skins can have a stronger, more extreme scent) to how it has been treated (natural tanning processes may result in a more musky smell).
Generally, leathery odours will fade with time. The material’s natural pores will gradually close, and the more you use your leather items, the less they will smell. But if you don’t have the patience to let nature do its work, start by drying out the leather – either by leaving your item outdoors, but not in direct sunlight, or by using a blow-dryer (on a low setting, held at a slight distance).
Next, try packing your leather in old newspaper – because it’s more porous than leather, the newspaper will absorb some of the smell. Just make sure that both the paper and leather are completely dry before you start.
If this still doesn’t solve the problem, slather your leather with a dedicated leather conditioner or shoe polish. Linseed oil is another remedy; or try soaking it in a mixture of white vinegar and water, or placing it in an open plastic bag with coffee beans and leaving for a few days.
