What does leather soap do?

Saddle soap is a compound used for cleaning, conditioning, and protecting leather. It typically contains mild soap, softening ingredients such as lanolin, and preservatives such as beeswax. It is commonly used on leather footwear, saddles, and other items of horse tack, hence its name.

What is the purpose of saddle soap?

Saddles also get really dirty, so they need a powerful soap to clean them properly. Saddle soap is an astringent, meaning it shrinks or constricts body tissues, so it’s very good at pulling stains, dirt, wax, and oil out of leather. That’s how it cleans.

Does saddle soap damage leather?

Saddle soap and similar soft soaps are strong alkaline base with a pH of 10 or above. When treated regularly with saddle soap, leather will gradually change from its normally state to alkaline. This pH change will cause the leather to harden, darken, and weaken its structure.

How often should you use leather cleaner?

every six months

With most cowhide, you’re going to need to clean and condition your leather every six months. The leather cleaning should come first, as it will seep deep into the pores of your leather to draw out dirt and old oils that would otherwise be sealed in by more leather conditioner.

Is leather soap the same as saddle soap?

Quote from video: They look almost identical. But they couldn't be any more different both can be used to clean your shoes.

Do you rinse off saddle soap?

It’s porous, just as your hair is, so wipe it with a damp cloth, rinse the cloth out and keep wiping it down until you have “rinsed” the soap off. Then go over it with a clean, dry towel. Again, “rinsing” does not mean dousing your saddle with water. Only ever use a damp, well wrung-out sponge or rag.

Does saddle soap need to be washed off?

Using a clean and dry cloth, wipe the soap residue from the saddle. Make sure you get all the soap off, as you do not want white, crusty residue to surface after the saddle dries.

Does WD-40 clean leather?



Don’t be nervous; you can use WD-40 to condition your leather furniture by spraying and buffing. The solution works wonders for cleaning and protecting your leather investment.

What will WD-40 do to leather?

WD-40 makes stiff leather items soft and supple. Dog collars, baseball gloves, work boots, shoes, and sandals all benefit from a spray. As a bonus, you’ll remove stubborn stains which means the lubricant is particularly useful in treating vintage items.

What is the best cleaner for leather?

Compare The Best Leather Cleaner In 2022

  • Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner. – Best Overall.
  • Leather Honey Leather Cleaner. – Runner Up.
  • Weiman Leather Cleaner. – Honorable Mention.
  • Meguiar Leather Cleaner. – Also Consider.
  • Armor All Leather Cleaner. Check On Amazon.
  • Lexol Leather Cleaner. Check On Amazon.
  • TriNova Leather Cleaner.


How often should you use saddle soap on saddle?



A good rule of thumb is to apply saddle soap once every 3-4 months for optimal protection. Using saddle soap regularly will prevent your leather from naturally occurring wear and tear, like dryness, cracking, and sun damage. Do keep in mind that using saddle soap too often can actually harm your leather.

How often should I use saddle soap?

However, keep in mind that applying saddle soap too frequently could actually do more harm than good, which is why it’s not recommended to clean leather with saddle soap more than once in two or three months. After all, saddle soap is intended as a product for deep cleaning, not everyday maintenance.

How often should you saddle soap your saddle?

Repeat every 2-3 months. Using it more often can cause damage to the leather.