Softening

Softening leather

Consumers always touch leather first. Is it soft, warm, natural? Consumers wish soft garment leather, as well as car or furniture leather. Leather in most cases should be as soft and natural as possible. The tanner achieves this through various processes.

Tumbling

The process of softening the leather fibres caused by rotating movement in a narrow, high, rotating barrel. This is necessary because the leather fibres stick during drying making the leather feelfirmer. Also, the finish on the leather makes it stiffer and must be softened. Short rods and steps in the barrels reinforce the movement of the leather.

The drums are narrow and the fibres are additionally loosened by rods or steps when rotating in the walking barrel

Stacking - Stacker - Stacking machine

Also stacking makes leather softer by softening the leather fibres. A stacker (stacking machine) has two plates with knobs and opposite recesses. Constant vibration ensures the leather is punctually pressed into the recesses by the nubs causing the fibre to stretch. This method causes the leather to stretch and the softening, the total surface of the hide increases. Staking also reinforces the grain pattern and reduces looseness.

The stacking machine softens the leather.

Softening leather by hands

Wet leather is often stiff once dry. The leather fibres stick together during drying and the easiest way is to wipe the leather when it is still slightly moist. Then the fibres can be loosened more easily than waiting until the leather is already completely dry. But also, dried leather fibres can be softened by wiping.

For light leather clothing, it is enough to wipe, rub, knead and pull the leather with the hands. Alternatively, the clothing can also be placed in the dryer with cold air and tennis balls. This method replicates the tumbling process in the tannery. Motorcycle suits are too big for that.

To soften furniture or car leather, hold a bottle neck of an empty glass bottle with one hand and roll the leather softer with the lower edge of the bottle by pressing and rolling with the second hand. The rolling movement ensures the surface is not damaged by abrasion.

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Video about leather production

The leather production in a modern tannery.

Process steps in the leather production
storage - soaking - liming - fleshing - splitting - pickling - tanning - neutralising - withering - sorting - shaving - dyeing (through colouring) and fatliquoring - drying - finish - softening - final check

Tanning methods
Chrome tanning - Vegetable-tanned leather - Synthetic tanning - Tanning with fats and oils

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