Tack cleaning

[Ameli&Finlay]

What are people’s favourite way to clean high quality leather saddles

 

[sbloom]

Here's a good thread https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/saddle-ruined.800746/#post-14531981

 

[Squeak]

Here's a good thread https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/saddle-ruined.800746/#post-14531981

I've kept meaning to ask you - it feels the most stupid question. I've tried the sedgwick and Oz's conditioner and can see that they are good for the leather but I just can't get it on to the sponge where they're both so hard.

If I warm it up I end up with only parts of the bar warm and a bit of a mess as well as it taking a while to warm up and I don't find my fingers work because I can't get a bit off to warm up and if I did then I'd need to do it with every bit and that would take hours. Is there an easier way? I really want to use them but find them really awkward.

 

[Reacher]

With Oz’s conditioner I don’t think you are meant to use a sponge. I keep it somewhere (not cold) where it doesn’t get too hard then I rub the bar direct on the leather then rub it in with my hand.
Or I use a spoon or something to scrape off a bit of conditioner (like you do with butter if making butter curls). Then rub in with fingers

 

[sbloom]

I've kept meaning to ask you - it feels the most stupid question. I've tried the sedgwick and Oz's conditioner and can see that they are good for the leather but I just can't get it on to the sponge where they're both so hard.

If I warm it up I end up with only parts of the bar warm and a bit of a mess as well as it taking a while to warm up and I don't find my fingers work because I can't get a bit off to warm up and if I did then I'd need to do it with every bit and that would take hours. Is there an easier way? I really want to use them but find them really awkward.

Yep don't use a sponge, not the right piece of kit. Take as much as you think you need out, put it in a little container, and warm it up. Then use your hand or a piece of sheeting, a sponge is for getting water and foam, and nowt to do with conditioner . I can usually get it on from cold with my fingers but that would lead to accumulation over time as it goes on fairly thick. If you get it good and soft you can even use a small paintbrush to get it pushed in around stitching etc so you don't get build up. It should only need doing once a week or fortnight, so it's worth doing it right.

 

[littleshetland]

What is this 'tack cleaning' you speak of.....? (ahem)

mine gets done at xmas...wether it needs it or not.

 

[Squeak]

Yep don't use a sponge, not the right piece of kit. Take as much as you think you need out, put it in a little container, and warm it up. Then use your hand or a piece of sheeting, a sponge is for getting water and foam, and nowt to do with conditioner . I can usually get it on from cold with my fingers but that would lead to accumulation over time as it goes on fairly thick. If you get it good and soft you can even use a small paintbrush to get it pushed in around stitching etc so you don't get build up. It should only need doing once a week or fortnight, so it's worth doing it right.

Ahh thank you for explaining this. I tried with my hands today and it was much easier although possibly a bit thick but the tack looked much better for it. How do you warm it up? In the microwave? I think the mistake I made previously of heating the whole lot and hence the mess!

Sorry one more question - if you only put the conditioner once a week or fortnight do you still wipe over with water everyday? I'm a serial tack cleaner and my tack seems to get dirty and greasy after only one use.

 

[bouncing_ball]

Ahh thank you for explaining this. I tried with my hands today and it was much easier although possibly a bit thick but the tack looked much better for it. How do you warm it up? In the microwave? I think the mistake I made previously of heating the whole lot and hence the mess!

Sorry one more question - if you only put the conditioner once a week or fortnight do you still wipe over with water everyday? I'm a serial tack cleaner and my tack seems to get dirty and greasy after only one use.

I’d wipe grease and dirt off with warm water as needed. And condition sparingly.

 

[Reacher]

What are people’s favourite way to clean high quality leather saddles

OP - Oz's leather conditioner that we refer to - message @cremedemonthe for the recipe or he sells a fancier version

 

[sbloom]

Hand hot water and a cotton dishcloth for cleaning, only your strapwork should be getting filthy, you can use a drop of fairy in the water but you may find it removes the conditioner more quickly.

Warm in hot water or in a mic, or on a heater.

 

[Squeak]

Hand hot water and a cotton dishcloth for cleaning, only your strapwork should be getting filthy, you can use a drop of fairy in the water but you may find it removes the conditioner more quickly.

Warm in hot water or in a mic, or on a heater.

Thank you. I'll give it a go and see how I get on

 

[dogatemysalad]

I use sedgewicks. I put a dessert spoonful into a tub and warm on a radiator, sunny greenhouse or microwave. Apply it with my fingers and palms on larger areas. Any left over is used on my boots or bags. Sometimes buff up with an old cotton tea shirt, but don't generally need to. The warmth from my hands is enough to spread it well.

 

[PoniesRock]

My fave is the Carr day and Martin spray. Love how it brings tack up. And then I tend to condition with horseman’s one step. Though have to confess I’m hard on my tack, it comes home from hunting, gets wiped off with warm water to remove the tone of mud I always seem to bring home, then left till I have time to deal with it before the next Saturday! But I do love the spray and conditioner.