This small batch, all natural leather balm is all you need to keep your leather piece looking like new, while extending it's lifetime. Many of the commercially available waxes and balms contain harsh chemicals and ingredients that are harmful to your leather long term; as a leather crafter, I wanted to provide something better. This balm gently cleans, conditions, and protects your leather pieces - you only need to apply a leather cleaner first if the piece is heavily soiled (I use and recommend Weiman Cleaner & Conditioner for pre-cleaning in these cases).
After researching ingredients and experimenting with ratios, the resulting balm is exactly what I was looking for: easy to use, all natural, limited ingredient, and effective - both long and short term.
Made using just five ingredients: Beeswax, Cocoa Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Carnauba Wax, and Lanolin; I make this balm in small batches to ensure high quality, consistent results. This balm melts into leather, penetrating deep to nourish and moisturize and provides a water repellent, protective coating to the surface (as well as smoothing light surface scratches and adding a lovely bit of shine).
It smells subtly like cocoa and is safe to use on your own skin! I offer this product because I want your leather pieces to look their best and last for years; with this balm you can keep your piece looking the way it did when you first unwrapped it.
This 3oz tin will last a long time - only a small amount is needed for each use; I also include a black cloth for application. (It will be hard to see with the black cloth but some color transfer is normal and expected.) To use: Swipe the cloth across the balm and apply to leather in even, circular motions until it is mostly absorbed. You'll want to let the piece sit until it dries before wearing to avoid color transfer to your clothing.
**I don't recommend using a hair dryer or any sort of heating method to speed up the drying process, as this is not good for leather.
As with all cleaners, conditioners, waxes, or balms, if you're applying to a light colored leather, it's advised to spot test this in an inconspicuous area prior to full application. Many of these products can darken lighter colored leather - and a few of the ingredients in this balm have the potential to do so.
*Please note* This balm is made with almond oil and lanolin (wax derived from wool) - if you have nut allergies or are allergic to wool, this balm could cause a reaction. See my blog post on 'Leather Care' for alternatives, as well as a more in depth overview on how to clean and maintain your leather pieces.
**I don't apply my balm to finish pieces I send out, just in case you have an allergy. I use a pure mixture of mink oil and beeswax instead; but I prefer my formula for my own pieces, as the ingredients all contribute their unique qualities to moisturize, protect, and extend the life of my leather pieces. See photos for a breakdown on what each ingredient adds to this product!