https://www.wikihow.it/Ammorbidire-la-Pelle
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There's nothing as nice as a new leather bag or wallet.However, leather fresh from the factory is often stiff and not very soft:this can negatively affect your look and make wearing your new accessories less pleasant.Fortunately, it's easy to make overly stiff leather soft using a few simple aging techniques.You can obtain the desired aged effect in a second by rubbing it with a special softener, restoring the necessary humidity or manipulating it manually.
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Purchase a quality fabric softener. The oils in the product will lubricate the porous skin allowing it to fold with your body more easily.Unlike home treatments, fabric softener will not compromise the durability of the material or leave any greasy film.[1]
- If you are willing to spend a little more money you can also opt for a complete set of skin maintenance products.These kits often include other products that are helpful in extending the life of leather items, such as neatsfoot oil, leather milk, and protective beeswax to make it waterproof.
- Avoid using natural products like olive or coconut oil.While they can help soften the skin in the short term, they have a tendency to penetrate deeply into the material.Over time they can lead to permanent discoloration or cause cracks and severe deterioration.[2]
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Pour the fabric softener onto a clean cloth. Fold the cloth over your fingertip so that only one corner is exposed, then soak it in a small amount of fabric softener.This way you will be sure to use only the right amount.
- When it comes to skin products, the less you use the better:the goal is to treat the surface of the material, not wash it completely.[3]
- Do not apply the product directly to the skin:not only is it the best way to wreak havoc, but it will also make it more difficult to distribute it evenly.
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Sprinkle the product on the surface of the accessory. Spread it with delicate and wide movements or circles, gradually widening.Try to give only a superficial pass:the skin should have a slight sheen without appearing wet or soaked.[4]
- These products can be used safely on any external area of the object in question or only where it is most necessary, such as the area around the elbows of a jacket or the front or back of boots.
- It is not necessary to apply more than one layer:any excess product would simply accumulate on the surface.
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Apply fabric softener regularly. Repeat the process at least once every 2-3 months to keep clothing and accessories in excellent condition:with each application the hardened material will become softer and softer.[5]
- If you live in a place with a hot, dry climate where the item in question is continually exposed to the elements, consider increasing the frequency of treatment to once every 2 weeks.[6]
- Leather furniture and upholstery needs an application approximately once every 6 months, as they are in a temperature-controlled environment, [7]
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Fill a spray bottle with water. Moisturizing new skin is a great way to put it to the test.Place it under a stream of cool tap water or, better yet, pour purified water over it.Make sure you screw the cap on tightly to avoid any inconvenience.[8]
- If possible, use distilled water.This way you will avoid any stains and accumulations of mineral salts that are often caused by hard water.
- If you don't have a spray bottle available, you can also rub the skin with a wet cloth.
- This method does not work with waterproof leather, as the water will simply slide off.
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Sprinkle the entire surface of the skin. Spray the object in question thoroughly until the water starts to run off:in this period of time the water will begin to penetrate the leather, breaking the hardened grain a little.If it is a garment, you can wear it during the treatment and move around inside it to widen it and make it fit your body.[9]
- Alternatively, consider stepping outside in a light rain for a moment:Be careful not to stay outside too long that your skin gets soaked.[10]
- Too much water is not good for the skin, but a splash can give a light "lived-in" effect without damaging it too much.
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Remove excess water. Rub your skin thoroughly with a clean microfiber towel, then place the item in question in a cool, dry place and let it air dry.Excess moisture will evaporate.
- It is important not to leave standing water.Oversaturation can produce cracks and discolorations and give the skin a dull, rough appearance.
- Don't forget to dry any metal components to prevent them from rusting.
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Follow up with a quality leather conditioner. A protective coating will restore essential moisture to your skin and prevent it from becoming dry and flaking.This step is particularly important after having subjected the leather to a wearing element such as water.Advertising
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Place the item in the dryer. If you're in a hurry, a quick spin on medium heat will definitely help soften the material.The heat of the environment combined with the repeated impact of the rotating drum will have an effect similar to that obtained after wearing leather for a long period.Make sure you only leave the garment in the dryer for 10-15 minutes at a time, otherwise it may start to shrink or burn.[11]
- This method is best for new accessories that don't fold or slide well, as heat can easily strip older leather of residual moisture.
- The leather should be dry or slightly damp when you put it in the dryer:It is not recommended to wash and dry it in the same way as normal clothes.
- For best results, also put a sports shoe or some tennis balls in the dryer:the additional friction will give the garment an even more lived-in look.
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Leave the item in question in a humid, warm place. Lay it out under the windshield to absorb the sun's rays at midday, or hang it in the bathroom while you shower.The secret is not to leave it there too long:After a while, direct heat can discolor or dry it.
- The steam from the shower will also coat it with moisture, making the operation doubly effective.
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Dry your skin with a hairdryer. It will have the same effect as a warm room or a ride in the dryer, plus it will allow you to direct the heat towards the hardest and most rigid parts.Concentrate the hair dryer on creases, edges and anywhere you want the skin to be softer:when it becomes more pliable, wear it until it cools.[12]
- Place the hair dryer on the lowest heat setting and keep it a safe distance from the surface of the item, so you don't risk burning it.
- Be sure to finish the aging process with a layer of nutrient softener.
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Beat it. Take a rubber bat, baseball bat, or similar object and beat the leather item from top to bottom.Use a moderate amount of force and distribute the blows across the entire surface:compressing the skin will soften it like you would a piece of meat.
- Any skin type benefits from a little hand care, regardless of its age, type, texture and pattern.
- Try not to beat it so much that it ruins it.
- Keep away from delicate areas such as seams, pockets, buttons, straps and zippers.
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Manipulate it by hand. Take a portion of the skin in the fist of your hand and pull, twist and squeeze it as you would a ball of dough.Vary the movements, so that the material is stretched in all different directions:you will see that little by little it will become less rigid.
- If it's a belt or similar item, roll it into a small ball, then unroll it and roll it backwards.[13]
- Manipulate your accessory while watching TV, waiting for someone on an appointment, or taking a long car trip.
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Soften your skin with use. If you don't like the idea of tarnishing your precious leather item, you may feel better with a safer, more traditional approach—simply using it more often.Try to wear it every chance you get:You'll be surprised at how quickly you'll notice an improvement.[14]
- Wearing it will not only do wonders for the material, but will also allow you to make greater use of the item in question.
- Don't be afraid to get your skin a little dirty:you can always touch it up later to bring it back to its original splendor.
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Advice
- Try using different methods to get an aged look in a short time.
- Soften the leather little by little until you get the perfect result.
- Always test leather conditioners and other products on an inconspicuous part of the item to see what the result is.
- For complete instructions on garment care, refer to what is reported by the manufacturer on the label.
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Warnings
- Avoid any behavior that can permanently damage your skin:once you do, you can never go back.
- These methods are designed for real leather and may not produce the same results on synthetic versions.
- Chemicals such as disinfectant alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and degreasers can bleach the leather and ruin its color.
- Never try to age the leather with sandpaper, steel wool or similar tools:they will only serve to scratch the external surface without improving the malleability of the article.
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Things you will need
- Leather softener
- Clean cloth
- Spray bottle
- Waterfall
- Dryer
- Hairdryer
- Rubber bat, baseball bat, or similar object (for beating leather)
- Tennis ball or shoes (optional)
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