Can you use olive oil on leather? That’s not a good idea. Creative Colors International (CCI) does not recommend you condition leather with olive oil or vegetable oil. We can provide an alternative, professional-grade option.
Olive oil is an oil extracted from olives and is primarily used in cooking for its flavor and health benefits. It is heart-healthy and contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce the risk of chronic disease. Olive oil also has anti-bacterial qualities that help kill harmful bacteria.
It’s a staple in Mediterranean cuisine and is commonly used for salad dressings and sauteing. The United States is the second-largest consumer of olive oil. Americans consumed 375,000 tons of olive oil in 2023, second only to Italy at 410,000 tons. Many people also use olive oil as part of their skincare routine or to nourish their hair, according to the Olive Oil Times.
If you scour the web for an all-natural solution to give your leather furniture, shoes, or accessories a boost, olive oil may come up as a viable option. Olive oil is a natural moisturizer. And while it can be a good option for creating a dewy complexion and soft hair, it’s not a good solution for your leather products.
Drawbacks of Using Olive Oil on Leather
CCI has more than four decades of experience helping restore leather and vinyl in homes and businesses. Over the years we’ve seen it all, and we recommend leaving your olive oil in the kitchen. Leather needs to be moisturized regularly to maintain its suppleness and prevent cracking.
Here’s why we don’t recommend using olive oil to moisturize your leather pieces:
- Risk of stain: Olive oil has the potential to leave a greasy stain. When applied, it darkens your leather, but the color change can be uneven or splotchy.
- Degrades leather: Olive oil may clog the pores of your leather furniture, causing it to degrade over time.
- Improper conditioning: Olive oil is not designed to moisturize leather. Specialized leather conditioners are designed to be absorbed properly and maintain leather's flexibility and strength.
- Bad odor: Olive oil can go rancid over time and may cause your furniture to smell.
A Better Alternative
We’ve come up with the best solutions to return your leather to like-new condition to save you up to 90% of replacement costs. Our service technicians only use water-based leather and dye products. Our leather conditioner provides the essential oils to replenish your leather lost through everyday use and cleaning. When applied regularly, our leather conditions help repel stains and ensure your leather stays soft and supple. It’s designed to penetrate deep into the leather’s pores to prolong the life of your leather furniture or product and keep it in like-new condition. Leather conditioner needs to be applied every six months for optimal results.
Our technicians can come to your home or business to ensure your leather is properly treated. We can also fix rips, tears, scratches, burns, fading, and seam slippage. We have leather care kits available for purchase. Our leather care kit includes our CCI Leather Cleaner, CCI Leather Conditioner, and a cleaning sponge and soft cloth.
If your leather products are starting to show signs of age, connect with a locally owned and operated location in your area by visiting our website. Our leather technicians have the tools they need to get the job done in their mobile van, and we are trained to work on all types of leather.
To learn more about CCI’s services, request a quote today!
