Winter Recipe

No it’s not one of those…


Its useful.


Even with it being the Winter Solstice, we still have the worst of the weather ahead and thats really tough on our shoes and boots. Particularly if you prefer leather to man-made footwear like I do.


So here’s a wee recipe to make your own leather conditioner/ waterproofer using natural ingredients which actually feeds the leather and will polish up too.


I’ve been using it for ages and its keeps leather supple and feet dry.


You need to double boil the solid ingredients by using a small pot floating in a pan of boiling water. (If you heat it directly on the cooker you risk it catching fire.) Then add the liquids.




Melt:


Beeswax - 1 part
Coconut oil - 1 part


Then add


Castor oil (or linseed oil) - 2 parts
Almond oil  - 2 parts


Mix together and pour into shallow jar etc.
Allow to cool.


If you want it softer, add more oil; more waterproof and solid, add more beeswax.


You can experiment with ratios and you can add a few drops of essential oil for a nice smell.


The almond oil principally feeds the leather.


It isn’t instant like shop bought boot polish and doesn’t have any colour (although you could add some earth pigments at your discretion.) But leave it a while to soak in and dry and it will polish up a treat. If you need to do some serious leather reconditioning, apply thickly and melt in with a hairdryer/ at the fire etc.


I love this stuff - and I hope you will too.


Merry Christmas, Happy Solstice and a Resilient New Year!