Moisturising/feeding leather tack

[Love]

Just given my bridle a much needed once over with the saddle soap and buffed to a finish as instructed on the tin. I used the Carr day and Martin saddle conditioning soap.

I'm just wondering whether I need to do anything else to the leather such as moisturise it or feed it or whatever (are they even the same thing? ) and if so what do you recommend I use?

I'd want to be able to use the products on my saddle as well as my bridles/head collars if that makes a difference? Saddle is also leather

Thanks in advance sour cream and onion Pringles going begging!

 

[cremedemonthe]

I did an article on here on leather conditioners and cleaning etc some months back if you pm your email address I'll send you some info, Oz

 

[Love]

Have pm'd you

 

[cremedemonthe]

I've sent you the document, hope it helps, Oz

 

[Ibblebibble]

oz, could you send it to me too? my bridles all got mouldy after the roof on the tack shed leaked and i want to make sure i rescue them correctly.

 

[cremedemonthe]

I've sent the info to you Ibbiblebibble and try some vinegar on the mould to kill it, Oz

 

[crystalclear]

Could you send it to me too please? I've been trying to clean my tack after ever ride using the Beloir step one to take the grime off then step two to put saddle soap on. There's also a spray conditioner you can get but instead if that, if I'm doing a big clean, I'll sponge over with warm water, out on the leather oil and leave for 24 hours. Then I'll put on step two. Then sometimes I'll use the Beloir conditioner that comes in a round tub. Tack is currently looking amazing which keeps making me want to clean it after every ride which is fab but I don't know if the process is right, I just made it up a bit!

 

[cremedemonthe]

Crystalclear, Oil on it's own is bad for leather, pm me your chosen email address and I'll bounce on the info, Oz

 

[crystalclear]

Even the leather oil that's especially made for leather? I followed all instructions but will PM you my address now. Thank you

 

[cremedemonthe]

What type of oil are you on about?

 

[crystalclear]

This, Carrs leather oil (same as belvoir I believe) don't use this very often at all but it seems good when info use it as it waterproofs it as well

http://www.carrdaymartin.co.uk/product_details.html?cid=MQ&pid=Ng==

 

[cremedemonthe]

It is still oil on it's own, oil does not condition leather as well as fats,waxes AND oils blended together, the stuff I make and use has 5 ingredients. The resulting conditioner penetrates the fibres and stuffs the cells with greases and fats.
The oil in it helps it flow into the cells but on it's own it is too thin.
If you show someone a piece of leather that has had just oil on and one that has been "conditioned" with a good conditioner they will see the difference, you'll always get people who swear by oils but if you were to have a look at the cells of oiled leather under a microsope, you'll see a soggy mess, it can weaken the cells too if over applied which a lot of people do.

 

[cremedemonthe]

As a rule any conditioner that has lanolin, beeswax and tallow is good, a lot of commercially made conditioners though have added silicones and chemicals to make it easier to apply, this is why I make my own no additives only natural animal and plant ingredients.
Oz