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Chris, unfortunately due to the nature of different rubbers (natural rubber, neoperene, etc.), they can't be softened.
I looked into this about 2 years back.
Old hardened rubber can be restored to a slight bit of softness by using automotive compounds like leak-sealers, gasket re-juvenators, etc, but all of these will give off an oily substance for years, and fumes.
The other thing that can soften old rubber is Transmission/Power Steering fluid. Again the same problems apply.
I did read where some people used baby oil. They heated it up and soaked the rubber parts in it. But again it gave off an oily film constantly.
Don't bother with Armorall as it doesn't soften rubber. It just makes it look cleaner and can also give off an oily film.
The hard truth is, hard rubber products cannot be turned into soft rubber products.
But dry hard old rubber can be restored slightly back to its original softness, but with oily smelly automotive chemicals.
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