How to Care for your Leather

What to do with New Leather

When you buy a new leather product it isn’t always immediately ready for regular use. You should make sure you oil your leather with Neatsfoot oil or a quality saddle leather oil to darken the leather and soften it. To oil your leather take a cloth, towel, sponge, or a brush and wipe down the leather with the oil.

Cleaning and Conditioning

Take it apart, separate buckles and any fittings from the leather. If there is an excessive amount of dirt, dust, sweat, etc. on the leather take a towel with warm water and wipe the leather down using a saddle soap or other quality leather soap. Make sure you apply oil or a conditioner after wiping your leather with water as the water will dry the leather out.

Only cleaners and conditioners designed for leather should be used to clean leather. Many soaps and conditioners may make the leather appear cleaner and softer but are only breaking the leather down causing it to fall apart. Use caution if purchasing leather cleaner designed for car interiors, while it may clean your leather the soaps are often harsher and sometimes contain a drying agent that can damage your leather. If you are ever unsure if the soap you are using should be used on leather, simply oil the leather and ask someone before doing any damage.

Leather shouldn’t be soaked in water but things happen, especially in this hobby where we are often taking leather pieces out into the elements. If your leather pieces get soaked be sure to oil them before storing them to prevent the leather from drying out and cracking or breaking.

Storage

Where you store your leather equipment matters, leather is skin and is affected by its environment just as your skin is. You should store your leather equipment clean and dry in a covered area away from excessive heat or cold. Keeping your leather in a place where air circulates such as in a crate is better than in a sealed environment such as a tote. If storing it for long periods of time try to check it for mildew periodically and clean it if necessary.

Where to Buy Leather Cleaner and Oil:

You can purchase Leather Oil and conditioner at most any equine tack shop, leather workers, or farm store near where you live. Otherwise there are a number of sites online where you can order a decent leather oil or conditioner.

Reputable Stores