Description
New! Non-Toxic Leather Conditioners
Healthy Traditions is pleased to partner with Chamberlin’s Leather Milk to bring you safe, non-toxic leather conditioners.
Chamberlain’s uses our coconut oil in several of their recipes. Here is their story:
Once there was a fine leather factory operated by the Chamberlain’s. The leather connoisseurs sought to ship their leather goods in impeccable condition. Day in and day out the leather was gently worked and reworked to preserve the leather in tip-top condition, for there was nothing worse than the Chamberlain’s chapped hide.
The Chamberlain’s treated hundreds of thousands of leather goods. As time passed, they sought to find a leather-care recipe that preserved and protected the leather. Every. Single. Product. Failed.
There simply wasn’t a product in existence that conditioned leather goods to their level of expectations. Some products dried and chapped the leather, while other products used chemicals that were more dangerous.
It was then when the Chamberlain’s knew the task at hand: To create an all-natural, all-American product to condition and protect leather.
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk was formulated using a water-based blend of oils, nutrients and properties we will spare for the sake of your time reading our story. The Chamberlain’s, ever passionate about their product, continue to evolve Leather Milk to preserve, protect, restore, water-repel, and shine leather.
It was up to the Chamberlain’s to create a leather conditioner to preserve the stories told in each leather product, so milk your leather for all it’s worth, because history is worth preserving.
- 100% made in the USA
- Formulas are made from all natural ingredients and contain no saddle soaps, solvents or synthetic chemicals. However, we do use nut extracts and oils, which some people are allergic to.
- Extremely long shelf life
- A little goes a long way
No. 1 Leather Care Liniment
Leather Care Liniment No. 1 is a natural, water-based concoction of vital oils, nutrients, and a few other properties. No. 1 absorbs quickly, replenishing leather’s natural oils, bringing your quality leather back from the dead to near new condition.
Gentle, and pleasantly scented, No. 1 will keep your leather healthy, supple and soft for decades to come. This recipe may be used as often as desired to clean, condition and refresh leather items such as bags, shoes, boots, luggage, purses, saddle/tack and leather apparel.
Available in 6 oz. bottles.
No. 2 Straight Cleaner Formula
Straight Cleaner Formula No. 2 is a mild blend of water, alcohol and other non-alkaline cleaning ingredients that softly removes substances that damage leather. No. 2 is perfect for those times when you want to give your leather a more thorough cleaning treatment.
This cleaner will penetrate into the leather fibers and help loosen CCS (collected clogging substances), providing a safe ‘wash’ for your leather item.
Straight Cleaner No. 2 permeates leather with natural, non-alkaline cleaning agents and alcohols, gently removing substances that damage leather. This recipe contains no saddle soaps, solvents or synthetic chemicals.
Available in 6 oz bottles.
No. 5 Furniture Treatment
Furniture Treatment No. 5 is a natural, water-based blend of rich cleaning and conditioning ingredients designed to protect, nourish and restore your leather furniture.
No. 5 contains rich, natural emollients and a gentle cleaner designed specifically to clean and condition your quality leather furniture items.
This gentle and pleasantly scented recipe may be used as often as desired to clean, condition and refresh leather furniture items such as sofas, couches, love seats, ottomans, and chairs.
Available in both 6 & 12 oz bottles.
Leather Milk Healing Balm
Leather Milk Healing Balm is concocted from the finest, most meticulously selected ingredients, ranging from cosmetic grade adhesives to deeply conditioning oils and waxes.
Chamberlain’s new Leather Milk Healing Balm may be the most intense leather healing remedy on the market yet. Unlike ordinary conditioners, Healing Balm is made especially for aesthetic work, designed for detail and touch up work for leather that’s seen better days.
Whether your leather is plagued by scratches, scars, light cracks in the hide, or is just really, really thirsty – Healing Balm will milk it back from its rut with form.
Carefully optimized to preserve glossy and shiny finishes, this all-natural, curating formula will enrich the color and vibrancy of your leather, and beautify for years to come.
Not for use on suede or other extremely soft leathers.
Includes our Premium Fine Pore Scrubbing Absorption Sponge for the perfect application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your products made in Chinese sweat shops?
Not to worry. All Leather Milk products are 100% made in our very own USA, home-grown sweat shop by friends and family desperate for jobs in this taxing economy.
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk – How Much Do I Need?
We suggest that you buy more than you need!
There’s one thing in common with all of our Leather Milk products, a little goes a long way, so you probably don’t need as much as you think.
While it certainly depends on the age, condition and type of leather, there’s only so much product leather can absorb. If too much is applied at once, it clogs up the pores going down, and the rest forms a sticky residue on the outside.
Even with careful application, too much can be used. If your leather stops absorbing one of our Leather Milk products and becomes “tacky” then you know you’ve gone too far.
Apply No.1 and No. 5 in THIN, EVEN layers across the entire surface of your leather item. Apply additional layers as needed. Applying the recipes in this way reduces the risk of over-conditioning and makes sure any change in color is uniform.
Apply No. 2 generously into your leather and rub it in gently. Allow the leather to fully soak it in and wait for it to dry. Follow up with a leather conditioner.
How Long Does Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes Last On The Shelf?
There really is no shelf-life for our Leather Care products; at least we haven’t discovered one yet. Since some of our recipes are water-based formulas, the water can evaporate leaving behind the oils and conditioners and causing the formula to thicken.
Usually this only happens when the bottle isn’t secured properly or the leather recipe is exposed to the open air.
But luckily there’s an easy fix! Simply add about 1/3 water to 2/3 formula and shake it really well. That should re-hydrate and make the formula highly absorbent again.
If you’d like the formula even more fluid, just add water as desired…remember ‘water’, not vodka, but water. Another tip – if you’re going to mix any of our products, add to a spray bottle for easier application.
Will Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes Darken Leather?
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk recipes will deepen the lighter shades of naturally tanned leather, but it very often comes back to its natural color.
Please note that any leather conditioner that actually works will slightly change the color of naturally tanned leather, because it fully penetrates the pores. This is one reason why we suggest spot-testing by applying a small amount of Chamberlain’s Leather Milk to a hidden area on your item.
As mom says, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
We’ve found that most customers don’t notice a change in color – and those who do often like the slightly deeper tone better!
Can I Use Chamberlain’s Leather Recipes On Colored Leather?
Absolutely! Chamberlain’s Leather Milk formulas do not interfere with the dyes or change the color of dyed leather.
Is Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes Safe For All Leathers, Including Exotic?
There are all types of leather out there, vegetable and chrome-tanned, napped, suede, soft, vinyl and simulated etc., even leather from alligator, reptile, eel, lizard, snake or ostrich.
Over the years, we’ve had many customers buy our formulas for all different types of leather, even exotic leathers with positive results.
As a reminder:
- It’s always the safest route to contact the manufacturer or company that sells or makes your particular leather item and ensure it is okay to use a water-based conditioner/cleaner (No. 1, and No. 5), an alcohol-based leather cleaner (No. 2), on their particular type of leather.
- Always test an inconspicuous area of your leather item first to ensure you like the result before applying the leather care product to the entire surface of the leather.
- Apply leather conditioners in THIN, EVEN layers. This is to ensure you don’t over-condition the leather and that any change in color (darkening) will be uniform. You can always add additional thin layers as desired.
- Chamberlain’s Leather Milk recipes are not recommended for soft, suede, vinyl or simulated leathers.
Why Are Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes Not Recommended On Extremely Soft Leather?
It’s pretty simple….we’re covering our “you-know-what” AND helping you out!
Soft leather types are easy to distort. Unless you’re really careful, it’s easy to over-condition the leather or create discoloration by not evenly applying our recipes.
It’s not so dire if your soft leather item has a protective finish and not a natural finish.
Specialty leathers like nubuck and suede also fall into the category of soft leathers. Specialty leathers like nubuck and suede need conditioning products specifically designed for nubuck and suede.
You should also stay away from using Leather Milk on “suede-like” finishes. If you do decide to try Leather Milk on really soft leather, make sure you test the Leather Milk on an inconspicuous area of the leather item to ensure you like the result before applying it to the entire item.
Will Leather Milk Break-In My Leather For Me?
Breaking in is a felony and we can’t condone criminal behavior. That being said, one of us could sneak into Dave at Saddleback Leather’s closet and find some really broken in leather to sell on the side for the right price.
As for doing it yourself without the prospect of a possible felony hanging over your head, it really depends on the type of leather you have. Our leather care recipes contain a variety of natural oils and conditioners that help the softening process. Depending on how absorbent and thick your leather is will most likely determine how quickly it will soften with treatment.
Regular use over time is always the best breaking in method. We don’t recommend you purchase Leather Milk expecting to use it as a leather softener.
My Leather Is Expensive…How Do I know Leather Milk Won’t Ruin It?!
Stay on the safe side. Just like your mother taught you, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Test the Leather Milk recipe you purchased on an inconspicuous area of any leather item you intend to treat to ensure you like the result before applying it to the entire item.
Leather comes in many finishes, textures and tanning processes, so it’s important to test, test, and test.
If you’re unsure whether or not you can use our recipe on a particular type of leather, contact the manufacturer or seller of the item to see what type of treatment they recommend.
Here’s what to tell them you’re thinking of using:
No. 1 – Water-Based leather conditioner
No. 2 – Alcohol-Based leather cleaner
No. 5 – Water-Based leather conditioner
Will Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes Remove Stains?
We like to describe No.1 (Leather conditioner), and No.5 (Furniture Treatment) as 95% conditioner and 5% cleaner.
These recipes (with a few variations) work splendidly at cleaning the surface of your leather. If the dirt, grime or substance is on the surface, Leather Care Formulas No.1, and No.5 will clean it.
This is usually all that is needed for regular leather upkeep.
For stains and dirt embedded in the pores of the leather, you’ll need to first start with Straight Cleaner No.2 that is specifically a cleaner.
There is one stain our formulas can’t get out, but no worries, St. Augustine has a homeopathic remedy that will work just fine… “Repentant tears wash out the stain of guilt.”
Dig Deeper – What Is Straight Cleaner No.2?
Straight Cleaner is a blend of natural alcohols and other natural cleaners. If you need to put your leather through a more thorough cleaning, Straight Cleaner is a gentle way to do that.
While Straight Cleaner will lift a lot of dirt and stains from the pores of your leather, it is a natural cleaner and thus it can’t necessarily compete with the strength of chemical-based leather cleaners.
The catch is that chemical-based leather cleaners are much harsher on leather. They have to be to lift those really set-in stains! We recommend trying our gentle leather cleaner before graduating to solvents, saddle soaps or synthetic chemical cleaners.
When Should I Use Straight Cleaner No.2?
Straight Cleaner is for those times you want to give your leather a more thorough cleaning or when you need to lift a stain that has set into the leather fiber.
You don’t need to use Straight Cleaner every time you condition your leather item. Most of the time a surface cleaning is all you need.
Are Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes Toxic?
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk recipes are natural and non-toxic. As with all of our leather care products, our formulas are made from all natural ingredients and contain no saddle soaps, solvents or synthetic chemicals.
However, we do use nut extracts and oils, which some people are allergic to.
What Are Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes Made Of?
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk is a family invention, much like Grandpa Dennis’s Chili recipe, and we prefer not to reveal all of the contents, for obvious reasons.
However, if you have specific questions about the contents, please don’t hesitate to email and we will be happy to share what we can.
Will Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes Trigger My Allergies?
Our leather care formulas do contain some nut extracts. If you have a severe nut allergy, we do not recommend you use Leather Milk.
In other allergy news across the web, a patient at a hospital stated she was allergic to ‘Lion Dander.’ The conversation went something like this… Nurse: Oh? Um. You said lion dander? Patient: Yep. Nurse: And how exactly did you find this out? Patient: Dunno. My Mom told me it happened when I was a girl. Nurse: Sooo, um, did you grow up near a lot of wild animals? Patient: No, not really. Nurse: Ok..could your mom maybe have meant dandelions? Y’know, like the flower? Patient: No. It was lion dander. I’m sure. She says it makes me all wheezy. Nurse: Ok…. so Lion Dander it is.
How Often Should I Condition, Treat And Clean My Leather?
Leather is extremely porous and will absorb anything it can, from dust, water, snow even to mold.
Regularly keeping your leather’s surface clean can prevent these contaminants from taking root.
It is a good idea to clean and condition your leather at least 2-3 times a year. This may change depending on the amount of use your leather gets and the weather it is exposed to.
If your leather is mainly going to be indoors and away from sunlight, twice a year may be all that your leather needs with Leather Care Liniment No. 1 or No. 5 if it’s furniture. You should always condition your leather after you have cleaned it, but you can condition without cleaning if it is not significantly dirty and you have brushed off the surface first.
For routine cleaning, try to dust off your leather every week with a damp cloth, and attend to any spill or other incident as soon as possible.
If you are restoring older or malnourished leather, you may want to clean it several times first, and follow up with 2-3 conditionings per week until its supple nature is restored.
In general, you will know it is time to re-apply if the surface of your leather begins to look chalky or feels dry to the touch, much like Grandma Gertrude’s hands.
Will I Need Any Additional Materials When Applying Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes?
- All Chamberlain’s Leather Milk formulas include a FREE reusable cotton terry leather conditioner applicator pad.
- It’s always handy to have some plastic or newspaper to protect whatever surface you choose to use.
- Kill any existing mildew. We like to use a combination of apple cider vinegar and water.
How Do I Apply Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes?
- Protect your surface with newspaper or plastic.
- Use your FREE reusable cotton terry leather conditioner applicator pad that came with your purchase.
- Test all products in a small, discreet area of your item first. This is important – because leather is a natural substance, each piece is unique and thus may react differently to conditioners and cleaners.
- If it is really dirty, clean the surface of your leather with Chamberlain’s Leather Milk No.2 – Straight Cleaner. Apply No. 2 generously into your leather and rub it in gently. Allow the leather to fully soak it in and wait for it to dry. Follow up with one of our leather conditioners.
- Chamberlain’s Leather Milk No.1 (Light Conditioner and Cleaner) – Apply THIN, EVEN layers across the entire surface of your leather item. Apply additional layers as needed.
- Chamberlain’s Leather Milk No.5 (Light Conditioner and Cleaner) – for use on indoor furniture not in direct sunlight – apply THIN, EVEN layers across the entire surface of your leather item. Apply additional layers as needed.
