Dubbin

For people with the name, see Dubbins.

Not to be confused with Dubbing.

Dubbin (also known as "dubbing" in the US) is a greasy or waxy product used to soften, condition, and waterproof leather. It has been used since medieval times to waterproof and soften leather goods.^[1] It differs from saddle soap used to clean and lightly condition leather, or shoe polish, which is used to impart shine and colour to it.

A tin of dubbin

It consists primarily of various waxes and oils. Commercial dubbin contains petroleum jelly (petrolatum), paraffin wax, neatsfoot oil, and naphtha (C10-12 alkane/cycloalkane).^[2] More traditional dubbin can be made with beeswax, fish oil and lard.^[3]

The name dubbin is a contraction of the gerund dubbing, describing the action of applying the wax to leather.^[4]