Tack cleaning - best soap for stiff leather?

cob&onion

cob&onion

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Neatsfoot oil - how do i use it?? :confused: always just stuck with saddle soap but read a few older posts and seems this maybe better for new leather.........

Also has Anyone used this sort of stuff for tack cleaning?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....587383&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_3599wt_905

says its good for leather just 3 times less the price of expensive leather/saddle soaps!

Just bought cob a bridle and its a bit stiff.
 
You can paint it on with a clean brush, or roll up the bridle parts and immerse them in oil in a bowl. Bear in mind that oil is great for leather but not for stitching (I'm told it rots it!), but I oil my tack once a year and it hasn't fallen apart yet. I leave the oil to soak in for about 10 min and then wipe off the excess with a bit of kitchen roll and soap as usual.
Have fun.:cool:
 
get a paintbrush, and 'paint' the oil onto the leather especially the underside. Let it soak in and if needed re-apply. You can then soap over the top (hardly any water) to make it shine and almost seal in the oil.
Not used the stuff on e-bay but looks similar to something we've got for our boots. Fab for shine!
 
AndiK said:
Belvoir glycerine soap with really warm water but a damp dry sponge. Then I use a leather feed from NAF...
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This is exactly what I do too - the 'old skool' orange block of glycerine soap is the best stuff ever, I then wipe over with a grease type conditioner like naf leather balsam. If old tack has got a bit dry and stiff then I clean with with the soap, a brush over with oil (not regularly though as it can rot stitching and will cause your leather to stretch so I would never ever oil reins, stirrup leathers or girth straps), then a wipe with leather conditioner. For shine you will be wanting a good amount of elbow grease!!
 
ThePony said:
This is exactly what I do too - the 'old skool' orange block of glycerine soap is the best stuff ever, I then wipe over with a grease type conditioner like naf leather balsam. If old tack has got a bit dry and stiff then I clean with with the soap, a brush over with oil (not regularly though as it can rot stitching and will cause your leather to stretch so I would never ever oil reins, stirrup leathers or girth straps), then a wipe with leather conditioner. For shine you will be wanting a good amount of elbow grease!!
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This is going to sound gross but I dont keep getting the sponge wet either.... Clean the leather with a clean sponge get all the dirt and grease off then I spit on the soap rather that keep getting the sponge wet as it stops a bubbly lather forming... Makes the leather look lush too!
 
AndiK said:
This is going to sound gross but I dont keep getting the sponge wet either.... Clean the leather with a clean sponge get all the dirt and grease off then I spit on the soap rather that keep getting the sponge wet as it stops a bubbly lather forming... Makes the leather look lush too!
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Yuck!!! I do splash out on actual water from the tap (only a v little mind)!!!

(mind you, getting bubbles is really annoying - perhaps if no-one is watching next time I am tack cleaning...!)
 
ThePony said:
Yuck!!! I do splash out on actual water from the tap (only a v little mind)!!!

(mind you, getting bubbles is really annoying - perhaps if no-one is watching next time I am tack cleaning...!)
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Try it.... The way it brings up the leather it lovely.... and its all natural (LMAO) I was disgusted when I was given this tip but I tried it and was really impressed with the result... :o :o :o :o
 
ThePony said:
Yuck!!! I do splash out on actual water from the tap (only a v little mind)!!!

(mind you, getting bubbles is really annoying - perhaps if no-one is watching next time I am tack cleaning...!)
Click to expand...

i always run out of spit to do this!! Dont like the idea either so i usually wet the soap, the dry it up with the sponge and use that on the leather.
If you get bubbles from too much water get a rag or old tea towel, put the sponge in it and squeeze it hard, it takes the water out (and therefore the bubble effect)without taking too much of the soap out with it.
Was always taught not to use the soap as soap-not to 'wash' the leather with it, use it like a moisturising creme and rub it into the leather.
I always oil BEFORE soaping too, the soap is glycerine based and would create a barrier to any oil put on afterwards
 
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Neats foot oil does eventually rot the stitches (I can vouch for a leather girth!) Added to which it has been around since the year dot! I have got through a lot of tack in my lifetime, and really, really recommend Kieffer leather oil, and Keiffer beeswax leather balm. You can use the leather oil the same as neatsfoot, but the beeswax balm can either be applied with a cloth, sponge, or best of all fingers! Both of them smell heavenly, better than anything from the body shop! Better still, the tack is wonderfully soft, and believe me, your hands will be incredible - looks like you have spent a fortune on hand cream! - My hands and tack both survived the winter wonderfully!

I would never, ever use any of the old fashioned stuff again!
 
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