Saddle soap

Saddle soap

Saddle soap is a preparatory compound containing mild soap and softening ingredients such as neatsfoot oil, glycerin, and lanolin. It is used for cleaning, conditioning and softening leather, particularly that of saddles and other horse tack, hence its name.

All-in-one cleaners that clean and condition in one step may be bad for leather. Some contain detergents that over time can damage the leather. Saddle soap is designed to clean and preserve leather. However, in reality saddle soap is not a particularly good cleanser. It must first dissolve its own oils, decreasing its ability to affect dirt and oils in the leather. Saddle soap is also slightly alkaline and alkalinity can damage leather. Another problem arises during application. The instructions for most saddle soaps tell the user to work the lather into the leather. Loosened dirt is suspended in the lather and pushed deeper into the leather's pores. Saddle soaps have been replaced in modern professional tanneries by emulsions which penetrate, soften and condition with greater ease and stability.

Using saddle soap

Dip a damp sponge in the saddle soap and work up a lather. Apply a light coat of the lather to the leather in small circles covering all surfaces.Frequently rinse and re-lather the sponge. Remove any build up with a damp cloth as left over soap can damage the leather. Wipe the leather dry and then treat with a leather conditioner. After using saddle soap you should clean any metal or plastic fittings. Use a stiff bristle brush to finish off suede or rough-out leathers by brushing up the nap.

ee also

* Mink oil leather treatment
* Neatsfoot oil leather treatment

External links

* [http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/1985-01-01/Homemade-Saddle-Soap.aspx Homemade Saddle Soap]
* [http://www.autogeek.net/nosasopl.html No Saddle Soap, Please!]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • saddle soap — ☆ saddle soap n. a preparation, usually of mild soap and neat s foot oil, for cleaning and softening leather …   English World dictionary

  • saddle soap —    flattery    Its quality is to make the seat more comfortable by softening it:     ... he pointed out he would save the saddle soap in future and come up with easier missions. (Coyle, 1987 a soldier had been getting the tough assignments… …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

  • saddle soap — noun a mild soap for cleansing and conditioning leather • Syn: ↑leather soap • Hypernyms: ↑soap …   Useful english dictionary

  • saddle soap — sad′dle soap n. a soft, mild soap, used for cleaning and preserving saddles and other leather articles • Etymology: 1885–90 …   From formal English to slang

  • saddle-soap — /ˈsædl soʊp/ (say sadl sohp) noun a soap, usually consisting of a mild soap and neat s foot oil, used for cleaning and preserving leather …  

  • saddle soap — noun Date: 1889 a mild soap used for cleansing and conditioning leather …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • saddle soap — a soap, usually consisting chiefly of Castile, used for cleaning and preserving saddles and other leather articles. [1885 90] * * * …   Universalium

  • saddle soap — noun A soap which is used to clean, soften and condition leather, especially horse tack (hence its name) …   Wiktionary

  • saddle soap — noun soft soap containing neat s foot oil, used for cleaning leather …   English new terms dictionary

  • Saddle — A saddle is a supportive structure for a rider or other load, fastened to an animal s back by a girth. The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse, but specialized saddles have been created for camels and other creatures.… …   Wikipedia

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