Saddle soap

[Dimbit]

Was asking the dealer's polishing guy how he got the spots I noticed off the leather and he starting raving about "saddle soap". Said I should get down to a horsey people shop (can't remember what he called it. Saddlers? Tackery? whatever) and get some. He reckons it's amazing for taking care of leather. Anyone agree/disagree? Any thoughts either way? Experiences??
What I didn't get to ask was how often I should use it...

[trix]

its a saddlery or tack shop you're meaning
yes it is pretty good stuff although the key thing with saddle soap is to not lather it up, so maybe not the best if you're not used to it as if it lathers it will dry the leather out.
I use a product called hydrophane saddlers leather conditioner on my leather dining room chairs which is more a work in & polish off type product that feeds the leather and maintains it which I would say was a better bet for a leather interior, I hadn't even considered it for car interiors before. they have a cleaner in their range as well but i've found the above to be enough to take marks off my dining chairs.

S

[Cuprabob]

Gliptone leather cleaner and conditioner are pretty good in my experience

[Ian_Mac]

Gliptone leather cleaner and conditioner are pretty good in my experience

Agreed

[Dimbit]

Thanks for the replies.
trix: I'll look into that then. There are a few horsey types at work; I'll ask around and see if anyone's well-practised.
I knew about Gliptone and (Autoglym's version of the same thing) but read some argument on a forum somewhere (may even be this one) about how they're water-based and shouldn't be. Or they aren't and should be. Or something.
All I really want is to make sure my seats aren't all dried out and flaking at the edges in a few years' time. May be overthinking this.

[malachi]

Leather, being a natural material, benefits from care, to keep it clean, supple and flexible. One of the key tasks is feeding the leather. Saddle soap cleans and feeds the leather with natural oils.

I've done this with classic cars, as well as working with Connolly kits before Connolly went bust. These kits included colourant, mixed to match a snippet of your car's leather.

Saddle soap is easy to use and with newer leather, your looking to feed the leather, cleaning it to a small extent in the process. I used it with the aid of a little warm water and a nailbrush. Just dip the nailbrush in the water, slide it across the surface of the saddle soap in the tin and apply it. Firm, circular movements push the soap into the leather and a damp cloth
can be used to take off the excess.

In all, it's a bit like polishing shoes but without the colour element. It's a bit of an elbow grease job but afterwards, the leather feels decidedly soft and pliable.

Hope this helps, let us know how you go on.

[ZephyR]

Leather, being a natural material, benefits from care, to keep it clean, supple and flexible. One of the key tasks is feeding the leather. Saddle soap cleans and feeds the leather with natural oils.

I've done this with classic cars, as well as working with Connolly kits before Connolly went bust. These kits included colourant, mixed to match a snippet of your car's leather.

Saddle soap is easy to use and with newer leather, your looking to feed the leather, cleaning it to a small extent in the process. I used it with the aid of a little warm water and a nailbrush. Just dip the nailbrush in the water, slide it across the surface of the saddle soap in the tin and apply it. Firm, circular movements push the soap into the leather and a damp cloth
can be used to take off the excess.

In all, it's a bit like polishing shoes but without the colour element. It's a bit of an elbow grease job but afterwards, the leather feels decidedly soft and pliable.

Hope this helps, let us know how you go on.

Top notch reply

[malachi]

Thanks!