Replies

1. 
   ThreadKoe | Sep 18, 2008 05:33pm | #1

   Saddle soap, it is designed to clean leather and protect it. I use it all the time, since DD3 needed it for her tack when she was riding. Just remember a little bit on a damp sponge goes a long long way. If the stains are permanent, just consider them part of the natural beauty. Cathy

2. 
   starzoe | Sep 18, 2008 08:13pm | #2

   I will second the vote for saddle soap. I use it on my leather dining chairs, on my purses and shoes. It seems hardly anyone these days polishes shoes. I was once at a lecture and the woman next to me leaned over and said "What IS that funny smell?" I had just polished my shoes (with shoe polish, not saddle soap).

3. 
   damascusannie | Sep 18, 2008 08:13pm | #3

   If the saddle soap doesn't work and the stains still bother you, oil it with Neat's foot oil. It will darken the leather considerably, but the stains will just about disappear. I was given a leather aviator jacket because it was bady water stained and a quick treatment with the oil worked wonders AND the oil lightly waterproofed the leather so it didn't get new marks, either. The giver was soooo bummed when she saw me wearing the jacket a week later. We both agreed that we liked the darker color better than the light anyway.

1. 
   rodezzy | Sep 18, 2008 08:34pm | #4

   You know, that sounds like a winner.  I'll keep that in mind for boots.

2. 
   ThreadKoe | Sep 18, 2008 11:12pm | #5

   Thanks for the reminder about neatsfoot oil. I use it on my bike saddlebags all the time! Mink oil is another good waterproofer, protector in a paste form that works pretty good as well, but will not darken the leather as much, so I do not know if it will cover marks. Cathy

1. 
   damascusannie | Sep 19, 2008 06:08am | #6

   We used to use neat's foot on all our leather tack. It didn't make things shiney, but sure kept them waterproof. Once or twice a year we'd clean the bridles really well, then dump them in a bucket with a gallon of oil and let them soak. Made them soooo soft and pliable. I miss the horses....

1. 
   ThreadKoe | Sep 19, 2008 06:40am | #7

   DD2 rode for therapy for 9 years. I spent a lot of time in the stable with her. She loved it. I helped out sidewalking a few times, but preferred to just move equipment around. Part of the program involved tacking up and cleaning up. I loved the smell of clean leather and horses. Don't tell that to my cattle man! Cathy