SOS for Disgusting bridle! Hellpp!

[floradora09]

Got a new horsie today

He came with a nice bride and martingale, good leather, very supple, but one problem. I have never seen a more greasy gross bridle! Even scraped the worst off with back of a knife!!! :O What else shall i do? Gave it a quick scrub over but it's horribly sticky as still loads of grease. Any ideas!? Is there a good trick or is a can of elbowgrease the answer?!

Thanks! xx

 

[HoHum]

I'm sure I'll get shot down for this but...against all rules I'd suggest a large bucket of really warm ( not boiling)water, big squirt of washing up liquid, leave to soak for half hour, scrape with a spongy pot scrubber, then rinse in clean warm water, dry well with a towel and oil...

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

i wouldnt put the bridle into soak !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a bucket of hot sopy water (washing up liquid or ariel - less bubbles with clothes powder)take bridle apart and wash each bit thoroughly with a sponge, dunk it if you like, then leave to air dry then soap and reassemble.

 

[Eriskayowner]

Got a new horsie today

He came with a nice bride and martingale

I'm glad he came with a nice bride . . .

I would agree with lots of fairly hot soapy water (any washing up liquid works well to remove grease), and cover with a decent saddle soap. The grease should just fall off. Once it is clean and dry, leave to soak in a decent leather oil for at least 24 hours to seal the leather. This should stop a build up in the future.

Best of luck!

 

[peanut]

Several replies have recommended washing up liquid. I used this in warm water (using a sponge, not soaking) for my last bridle and it wrecked it leaving the leather dry and three shades paler - I ended up throwing it out as no amount of saddle soap or oil restored it.

At the time, everyone said I should never have used washing up liquid on leather, so I've never used anything but warm water since. I'm interested and amazed that it's recommended here!

 

[Shay]

Washing up liquid will take the dye out of some bridles if the leather is top dressed. Its usually OK if the leather is tanned that colour. But you do have to be really careful not to use too much and to rinse really well. Also to dress with loads of saddle soap and neatsfoot oil afterward or the bridle will end up really sticky.

Personally I would prefer not to use wasking up liquid - but I know several people who swear by it. I prefer a really good tack cleaner like belvoir - but that will take a lot of time. It probably depends on how much you like the bridle!

 

[magicgirl]

I have used washing up liquid for 30+ plus years on tack with no problems. I only use a few drops in a washing up bowl and use a cloth to scrub with. I never soak tack in oil, just do a light wipe over. If your tack changes colour after being cleaned with detergent them a cheap dying job was done on the leather.