Saddle soap made boots darker!

[DavidSchneider]

I have a pair of Engineers in Amber Harness. Had them for 5-6 years and used different products on them; mink oil, Smiths, pine pitch etc. After I had them resoled, I wanted to «reset» them, and bring back (or at least get closer to) the original color. Cleaned them with saddle soap three times, and now they’re darker then before the cleaning. I find this strange. Anyone have an idea on why?

 

[SpotsandBays]

Have they completely dried? Might just be that they are darker because they haven’t fully dried yet ?

 

[TPO]

I don't know the science behind it but traditional saddle soaps can darken light tack.

I use Fieblings for my western tack as I dont want it to darken or discolour and it works well.

Highly recommend doing a small patch test is an area that isnt noticeable first