Best way to clean/oil a bridle

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Rolo--Chilli

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Hi all

I have just bought a john whitaker bridle and martingale for a bargain price off my ym.

The bridle has been stored and not cleaned for many years, i was wondering what is the best way to give it a new life.

It has brass buckles so they are currently soaking in tomato ketchup as suggested by google.

But what do i do with the leather any suggestions please.

Many Thanks
Louise
and
her happy daughter who now owns a john whitaker bridle that was previously used by a british showjumper lol
 
Don't oil it! Contact cremedemonthe on here. I got some of their Saddlers blend and I have never felt leather like it after it has been treated! So supple, not sticky and it even restored a second hand martingale that I was sure was past rescue!
 
Cremedemonthe is the expert :) - And a helpful one at that.

Whatever you do - DO NOT USE NEATSFOOT OIL! - Ever. ever!!! (got that ;))

Koachaline did wonders for my victorian bridle (never to be used show peice).

What is the leather like now? Did someone store it dirty, or is it just dusty and dry and unloved?
 
I regularly use kocholine on leather which is so old it is totally rigid (barn finds etc). It's really for applying prior to laying down harness etc for long term storage, but it's nothing short of a miracle on old dry tack; frees up rusty buckles and doesn't seem to damage the stitching.
 
Been told & seen good results with Vaseline also excellent if wanting to store them keeps them mould free and supple. Also great for stiff leather making it supple again.
 
I do tack repairs and when I get leather in that is too dry to work I clean the surface dirt off with Leather Therapy spray cleaner and then spend the next week massaging Lincoln Leather Balsam into it for about 15 minutes a day. I get a workable leather which looks great.
 
Hi all
Thanks for the replays.
It isnt dirty just very stiff. I have cleaned the buckles which were green and are now sparkling.

I am currently cleaning it with the expensive leather cleaner i got for my sofa and am then going to use the tack balsam on it.

It is already becoming more manageable so hopefully after a couple of uses and cleans it should be ok.

thanks

Louise
 
I do it how my boss showed me-tiny bit of washing up liquid diluted in water and rubbed on with lightly damp cloth followed by a decent rubbing over with a glycerin bar. Brings up tack beautifully!
 
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