As with any other type of leather product, you will want to condition your holster. It is a good idea to condition genuine leather if it has been exposed to harsh elements or has been sitting in storage for an extended time.
This can help prevent cracking and drying out while also softening the material back up again so that it feels nice on your skin. This article strives to take you through the proper leather holster treatment technique emphasizing the dos and don’ts when expediting care and proper maintenance.
Benefits of Leather Holster Treatment
Leather holster treatment is needed to keep the holster in good shape to protect the handgun throughout years of use.
This is important for safety as well as appearance. A leather holster treatment can help to extend the life of your leather holster and keep it looking new longer.
1. Helps to Keep the Leather Soft, Supple, and Strong
When you treat the leather, it helps maintain its softness and flexibility. It also helps keep the holster looking good and extends its life.
When you condition a leather holster, it will help protect your handgun from moisture and sweat which can cause rusting or corrosion if left untreated.
2. Extends the Leather Life
When you treat your leather holster, you’re making a good investment. Over time the leather will break down if it isn’t cared for. But regular maintenance can help extend its life and ensure your safety and that of your handgun.
Leather is a natural material that can be vulnerable to moisture and damage over time. Leather holsters need special care in order to keep them in good shape.
If not properly maintained or treated with waterproofing products like Mink Oil or Bee’s Wax, they may become dry and brittle and begin to crack after just a few years of regular use. These cracks can cause the gun inside to get warped or damaged.
Leather Holster Treatment: How to Care and Maintain Your Leather Holster
The leather holster treatment is an excellent way to keep your holsters in good condition. It’s also a great way to keep them looking like new for many years. Here are some tips for keeping your leather holsters in top shape:
- Clean your holsters regularly with a mild soap and water solution, then dry them with a soft cloth.
- You can use saddle soap, which is designed to be used on leather products and it removes all traces of sweat, dust, and other contaminants while gently moisturizing the material.
- Use saddle oil soap on the exterior of your holster, then let it sit for about 20 minutes before buffing it off with a soft cloth.
- After cleaning, apply a coat of olive oil or beeswax to protect your holster from cracking and drying out over time.
- You can also use a damp cloth with gentle soap. Wipe down your holster then follow up with another damp cloth to remove any excess glycerin soap residue. Allow the holster to air dry completely before applying oil, amounts of leather conditioner, or other leather care products.
- To avoid damaging or discoloring your holster, use shoe polish or a leather conditioner that was made for its specific color. For example, a brown holster should only be treated with a brown conditioner and a black holster should only be treated with black conditioner.
- When you are ready to oil or condition the leather after cleaning it, make sure that you do so in a warm, dry space.
- Once your holster has been fully treated, give it some time for its natural oils to absorb into the leather fibers again before placing it back into storage or use again (depending on what type of conditioner was used).
Leather Holster Care Do’s & Don’ts
Every leather holster is unique, and every owner has a different routine for caring for their leather. That said, there are some general do’s and don’ts that apply to all holsters.
Do’s
- Use warm water and leather lotion to clean the holster to have a smooth finish
- Use a minimalist approach to clean the leather holster once in three or four months
- Use a good leather conditioner to keep your holster soft and supple. It will also help prevent cracking and drying out over time.
- Wipe off dust, sweat, and dirt with a soft towel.
- For stubborn stains or dirt, scrub them off using a brush with soft bristles.
- Take care of your holster by keeping it clean and dry at all times. Wipe down with a soft towel after each use if necessary (especially if it’s been exposed to water or sweat).
- Dry with a paper towel, blotting until dry.
- Apply a leather conditioner to restore suppleness and shine.
- Store the holster in a cool and dry place wrapped with a soft cotton cloth.
Don’ts
- Don’t Use oil-based products on your holster! This includes WD-40, Vaseline, cooking oils, and even hand lotion. All of these can cause the leather to dry out and crack easily.
- Don’t leave your holster out in the open where it will get wet or exposed to extreme heat/cold conditions. Like leaving it outside during an ice storm, or exposing it to a radiator, oven, or direct sunlight.
- Don’t use oils that saturate the leather holster making it soft too much to lose its molding.
- Don’t submerge the leather to water or any other liquid.
Conclusion
There are a number of leather holster treatments. With so many options available, you may get confused as to what suits your holster best. But we do not need to worry about that. All you need to do is ensure that our holsters are cleaned from time to time. Further care will depend on the kind of leather we use for making the holster.
If you have any questions about how to care for your leather holster, feel free to contact us at Gun Cleaning HQ. We will be happy to help out with anything that we can!
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