The invention discloses a softening method for improving a lather softening effect. The softening method comprises the first step of washing, and specifically, fresh cattle hide is flushed with plant extract after dirt attached to the surface of the cattle hide is removed; the second step of depilating, specifically, after most hair on the surface of the washed cattle hide is cut off, a hair removing agent is used for treating the cattle hide, and remaining cattle hair is removed; the third step of degreasing, specifically, the depilated cattle hide is put into water, sodium acetate, sodium chloride and degreasant are sequentially added, stirring is carried out, sodium carbonate is added, stirring is carried out, pH is adjusted, and standing and liquid draining are carried out; and the fourth step of softening, specifically, the degreased cattle hide is put into water, alkyl polyglucoside and rice phytic acid are sequentially added, the temperature is raised, heat preservation stirring is carried out, the temperature is raised, pH is adjusted, acid proteinase is added, and stirring is carried out. By means of the softening method, environmentally friendliness is achieved, no pollution is caused, and the relatively good leather softening effect is achieved.