What is the difference between saddle soap and leather cleaner/ leather conditioner

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

3 жыл бұрын

Saddle soap tends to have a soap base - some are glycerine based, some are Castile based, some are very nasty chemical based because they’re designed to break down the build up of dirt and sweat. Leather cleaner is usually just another name for saddle soap - and will usually be soap based. Conditioners don’t tend to have the soap base, they’ll have an oil base usually. Lots of leather conditioners have animal fats in them eg tallow (made from cow feet) or mink oil, or fish oils etc. But nowadays lots of manufacturers (like us) are trying to avoid those fats now.

I had a saddle get full of mold. Whole thing. I wasn't well and I was told it was being cleaned for me and it wasn't. When I finally was able to see it. Full of mold. I'm in Florida btw very hit and humid.... Even turned it kind of a burnt brown spotty from all black. All I did was clean it and use neatsfoot oil, as I've discovered over 23 years it seems to prevent mold where mink oil didn't. So I did that and its over a year latter and the saddle is getting good use and no mold issue since. I've had that toulouse for 10 years now. I'm it's only owner.

Such a great video thank you!

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

2 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome! I am glad you enjoyed it xx

I’ll keep this guide in mind next time I’m on saddle cleaning duty.(I work to supplement lesson costs) I cleaned a bunch for the first time recently English and Western and while I feel like I did a lot of what you said to do, cleaned the flaps, places people don’t normally get but, I didn’t think about cleaning the part that’s closest to the horse tho. I did not enjoy the suede ones tho.

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

3 жыл бұрын

Good plan! And I agree, suede is horrible to clean!

Great video! I have a Kent & masters dressage saddle, and try to clean it once a week,is this ok? Also love the tip on using hot water, not done that before. My horse is on a working livery so at the moment the school is closed so tack doesn’t get too dirty but will when they re open! Do you recommend standing the saddle on a saddle rack when cleaning or over a flat surface? I tend to put it on a bench seat but then it’s quite low down to get to it! Xx

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

3 жыл бұрын

Great question! I like to put mine on a flat surface - eg my saddlery bench, so I can get a good pressure on it as I clean it, without it moving around- but if you do that, make sure there is something soft underneath - mine is covered in soft material, but you can use a folded towel... because you don’t want to scratch your saddle. But a saddle rack is ok too, just a bit more tricky to get to the underside.

also, i have just got a Bates Advanta which is there luxe leather which i believe is calfskin what material won't rub the flap as I want to get the wide jumping stirrup leather so i might need to cover them with something so they don't mark my saddle thank you one more thing i have never had a monoflap how do i store it? do i leave the girths straps hanging down or can i tuck them up into the saddle cover? thanks

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

3 жыл бұрын

Make sure you keep it well moisturised. And keep the leathers clean and moisturised too! It might be worth speaking to Bates to see what they recommend. You can get saddle covers - eg LeMieux do them, that have little holes in them for your straps to stick out through - cos you should avoid letting them get tucked up and curled. Hope that helps!

@moonequestrian2175

3 жыл бұрын

@@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter great thank you so much 😊

Question, how do you clean suede leather? I was given an old saddle with suede knee rolls, and when I first cleaned it I conditioned suede- which I don’t think I was meant to do, as most saddles I see that have suede knee rolls are light. It’s now a dark colour and just looks like scratched up regular leather, so I am assuming I did something wrong. If I’m not meant to condition it, am I meant to clean it with just saddle soap?

Hi ur stunning and ur voice is enough to take anyone off of life support xx

Great video.... but are you washing the saddle soap off? Do you dip in the hot water in between applying more saddle soap?

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

3 жыл бұрын

Hey, yes, I dip in the hot water to rinse off the sponge between applying it. I don't rinse it off, as such, but do keep the sponge well rinsed. :D

I have a dark brown saddle and it scuffs so so easily! Is there any way to prevent this?

I worked for a dressage barn where they used ammonia on their leather. It sounds crazy, but I saw it to be quite effective. Obviously, use gloves, do not handle the ammonia with barehands, perhaps wear a mask, and do it outside. and use a disposable towel..... The person I worked for had me do it on her tack once through (it was their annual treatment). And some of those saddles were school saddles or in storage and DID have mold on them... and it seemed to help. I wasn't there very long though to be able to witness a change over time. just apply it to your already cleaned saddle or leather - and my understanding is that it changes the pH balance of the surface of the leather and mold won't grow thereafter. Maybe test an area prior to treating the whole of your tack. I've heard something similar with treating walls in older or moist barns....

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I've heard of this too - I'm not sure how good it'd be for the leather long term - I might see if I can find out x

Any tips on what to do after a ride in the rain for leather saddles?

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

3 жыл бұрын

Let it dry, naturally. Don't put it in front of a fire or radiator, cos that'll ruin the leather. And then give it a nice conditioning session, with a good balm. :)

How do you tell the difference between synthetic leather and real leather? :)

I have a Fairfax saddle and was told not to use a glycerin based cleaner. Why would this be? Or do you think it doesn't really make a difference?

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

3 жыл бұрын

I think that's because they now own Rapide and therefore recommend Rapide Gel for their saddles. Personally, I do really like the Rapide Gel, but more for boots than tack. It's great to use when you want to get the water resistance up - as it's high in waxes (caranuba and beeswax) but it can leave a bit of a residue. It does give a lovely shine though. You should ALWAYS follow the manufacturers guidelines - if only because if there is ever a problem with the leather on your tack, you need to be able to say you've followed their guidelines :) Sorry... that's not much help, is it? :D They do also say not to use sprays and oils on their saddles - I presume for the same reason I don't use either. They get right into the stitching and the creases.

@janesmith6213

3 жыл бұрын

@@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter Thank you. I'd better get some!!

Where can I get your saddle soap & conditioner from????

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

3 жыл бұрын

They’ll be available on our website, we are just finishing off a big batch of them. I’ll pop you a link here in a few days when they’re in stock. X

Where can we buy your products?

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

2 жыл бұрын

www.peeweeleathercare.com

hi what is SLS ?

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

3 жыл бұрын

A chemical used in almost all soaps - not just saddle soaps - that can be irritating on sensitive skin :)

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

3 жыл бұрын

Sodium lauryl sulphate - I think that’s its correct name :)

@moonequestrian2175

3 жыл бұрын

@@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter great thank you i have just ordered some from sterling essentials they are meant to be all natual and have no glycerine, alcohol, lanolin or anything like that thank you for the video i have just got a leather saddle from a t4 x

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

3 жыл бұрын

Both glycerine and lanolin are actually quite good for leather. Both are natural substances and cruelty free- the lanolin is from sheep but it’s from their wool so it’s a by product of them being sheared. Alcohol is horrible though- very drying!

SLS is horrid stuff! It makes my skin fall off too, and I can't imagine that it's any good for leather either!

@ADayInTheLifeOfASaddleFitter

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly! Nasty stuff. I know people think I’m mad, but if tack cleaning products make my skin hurt/crack then I personally don’t think they’re kind to leather :)

Hi ur stunning and ur voice is enough to take anyone off of life support xxx