As far as vaseline goes, I will admit there is no doubt that vaseline is one of the most versatile, multi-purpose products which is very common in most homes. From softening hands and feet to healing chapped lips, there’s nothing vaseline can’t do (except maybe make you look like a greased-up wrestler).
Jumping straight to the point, vaseline or petroleum jelly also has tremendous benefits to offer leather and patent leather items to be precise. It is an excellent conditioner and moisturizer that helps to restore the natural oils in leather, preventing it from becoming dry, brittle, and cracked.
In fact, if your patent leather starts looking a little dull or faded, you can revive it by rubbing in a small amount of Vaseline. To apply vaseline to your patent leather shoes;
- start by cleaning the shoes with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or dust.
- Then, take a small amount of vaseline and rub it into the patent leather using a soft, clean cloth.
- Finally, buff with a dry rag to bring out the shine. Voila!
Benefits Of Using Vaseline On Patent Leather
Now that you know how to use vaseline on patent leather, let’s take a look at some of the benefits:
1. Vaseline Has Cleaning Properties For Patent Leather
One of the most common things you can use vaseline to do as far as your patent leather item goes is cleaning. Let’s face it, patent leather shoes and other accessories due to their glassy surface do attract a lot of dust very quickly.
You can always use a little bit of vaseline on a piece of cloth to wipe off the dust. Vaseline’s cleaning properties are quite impressive, and you can even use it to remove some types of stains from your patent leather items.
You will be able to remove stains like permanent markers, ink, scuff marks, and the like. Vaseline has been known to be a great cleaning agent for leather furniture as well. The best part is that you don’t even have to mix it with anything but just rub it onto your patent leather item of choice using a soft cloth or paper towel.
Although this may not be a permanent solution, it works great in the short term especially if you want your shoes or accessory back looking new again after they have been sitting in your closet for some time.
Another great thing about using vaseline as a cleaner is you don’t have to worry about causing any damage to the item either because petroleum jelly is quite mild.
On that note, I will advise against using it on aniline leathers like suede and nubuck since these types of leather are very porous and tend to stain easily even with the slightest bit of moisture.
2. Vaseline Can Remove Scuffs & Minor Scratches From Patent Leather
One of the best things I love about using vaseline on patent leather is that it can remove minor scratches and scuffs. Patent leather, as mentioned before, has a shiny, glossy, glass-like finish and so it tends to easily get scratches and scuffs.
However, with a little bit of vaseline and a piece of clean chamois cloth, you can buff these scuffs and minor scratches right out and have your patent leather looking as good as new again in minutes.
The thing to note is that this method works best on light scratches and scuffs. If the scratch or scuff is too deep, then it will not be able to come off. What vaseline does is fill in the scratches and make them less visible to the naked eye.
If you’re someone who likes to keep their patent leather looking good as new, then I highly recommend using vaseline as your first line of defense and as a means of prevention against scratches and scuffs.
Just remember to apply it on a regular basis (especially if your items are constantly in contact with other surfaces).
It is still worth a try though if you have some serious scuffs. The best thing about it is that you will not be causing any damage to your patent leather item if you do decide to give this method a try because vaseline is quite mild as mentioned before and does not contain any harsh chemicals.
3. Vaseline Makes Patent Leather Soft & Supple
One of the main reasons why a lot of people like to use vaseline on patent leather is because it makes the material soft and supple. This is great especially if you have older patent leather items that have started to become stiff and hard over time.
It is also the perfect remedy if you have a new pair of patent leather jackets, boots, or shoes you would like to break into. All you do is rub a little bit of vaseline onto the item using your hands and then buff it off with a piece of clean chamois or clean cloth.
You would repeat this process every few days until the desired results are achieved. Doing this will help soften up your patent leather and make it more pliable so that it doesn’t crack or split when you’re trying to wear it or use it.
You will be amazed at how soft and supple your patent leather items become after doing this process, especially if they are new or have been sitting in storage for some time.
The great thing about vaseline is that not only does it work on patent leather, but also on other types of leather.
4. Vaseline Can Enhance The Color Of The Patent Leather
In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, vaseline can also help to enhance the color of your patent leather items.
This is especially useful for those who have faded or worn out looking patent leather shoes, jackets, bags, and more.
All it takes is a small amount of vaseline applied to a soft cloth, and then gently rubbed into the surface of the patent leather.
After allowing it to sit for a few minutes, buff the area with a dry cloth until the shine and color of the patent leather items are nicely restored.
You can also use this method to keep your patent leather looking new and shiny over time. So if you’re patent leather is starting to dull or lose its color, then this is the perfect solution for you.
Just make sure to apply it on a regular basis (especially if your items are constantly in contact with other surfaces or activities that strip the color of the patent leather article away).
5. Vaseline Is Cheap
If you’re looking for a cheap and easy way to keep your patent leather looking good as new, then I highly recommend using vaseline.
The great thing about it is that you can easily find vaseline at your local supermarket or drugstore for under $10 USD. Also, chances are you already have some at home.
This means there’s no need to spend a ton of money on expensive products that may not work! Plus, the application process couldn’t be simpler.
As mentioned earlier, all you do is apply a small amount of Vaseline onto the surface of your patent leather items using your hands and then buff it off with a piece of clean cloth or chamois.
You would repeat this process every few days until you’re happy with the results.
6. Vaseline Is Non-Toxic
My son and I are very sensitive to chemical products and this is why I love using vaseline on my patent leather shoes, jackets, and bags – because it’s non-toxic.
I don’t have to worry about any harmful side effects when I use it and neither does my son, who often has allergic reactions to certain products (such as chemical cleaners).
This makes Vaseline perfect for the whole family since we don’t have to worry about it being toxic or causing any allergic reactions.
Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean all of the other products on the market are toxic, just some of them. So if you’re looking for something safe and effective then go ahead with Vaseline – I promise it’s worth every penny spent.
7. Vaseline Can Waterproof Your Patent Leather
I tend to go hard on the items I wear. I would usually wear the same boots for a couple of months before switching them out for another pair. My husband calls this behavior “tough love.”
A few years ago, I started using vaseline on my patent leather shoes before wearing them in order to waterproof them. This way, they would last a bit longer and not get ruined as easily (since I’m pretty hard on shoes).
For someone like me, waterproofing is essential to ensure that my shoes or boots last longer. And this is one reason why I love using Vaseline on my patent leather goods – because it can act as a natural barrier against water damage when applied correctly and regularly enough (every few days).
It works like a charm! Not only did the Vaseline help to waterproof my patent leather shoes, but it also helped to prevent stains from showing up on them too.
You may ask, “isn’t patent leather already waterproof?” The answer is yes, but only to a certain extent. Vaseline can help to add an extra layer of protection against water and other liquids that may come in contact with your patent leather items.
This is definitely something I would recommend for anyone who tends to go hard their patent leather clothes and accessories like me (or even just wears them a lot) and want a way to enhance the waterproof quality of the items.
You just need to make sure you’re using the right amount of Vaseline for the type of material your patent leather goods are made from. For example, if it’s thin and soft then less is required but if it’s thick or stiff then more will be needed in order for it to have any effect on keeping water out.”
Final Words
As you can see, there are many great reasons why you should consider using vaseline on patent leather.
It’s a cheap and easy way to keep your patent leather goods looking like new. Plus, it has other great benefits such as being non-toxic and helping with waterproofing too!
I hope that this article was able to help you understand why Vaseline is a good choice for patent leather.”
