How do you go about cleaning your tack and other leather goods? Jacki Murphy brought to our attention that saddle soap, often used to clean leather also has a sealing quality to it that does not allow the penetration of oil after cleaning. A cleaning agent that will also allow penetration of oil or conditioner into the leather is Castile soap. Castile soap is a vegetable based cleaner that works well to remove dirt and grim from leather without sealing it. Once the leather has been worked thoroughly with the Castile soap, apply an oil, such as neatsf
oot oil to re-hydrate the leather. Oiling leather is best done intermittently, as it can be hard on the stitching. Finally, after the oil has had time to absorb into the leather, finish with a damp cloth and a small amount of saddle soap. This will remove any remaining dirt and debris and seal the leather for protection. Thank you Jacki for the great tip!