We are asked all the time the best way to clean a custom saddle and thought our first blog would be a great way to do so. Please read all instructions before beginning.
1. To maintain the light color as long as possible, the saddle should be kept covered and out of the light when not in use. Any light, especially sunlight will darken your new saddle gradually.
2. The saddle should not be left in your trailer for extended periods of time. The heat inside the trailer can be damaging to the leather and will cause the silver to tarnish rapidly.
3. If compressed air is available, your dusty saddle should be blown off to remove dust and dirt. A vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment also works well for this task. This should be done after each dusty horse show.
4. Once the saddle is dirty enough to need a thorough clearing it muse be washed or wiped down with a damp cloth. Each part must be cleaned separately; fenders, seat jockey, skirts, etc
5. If washing is necessary, use a mild soap solution such as Harris Blue Foam finish. Do not use saddle soaps since it will darken the leather. Wash each piece with a soft cloth using the blue Foam Finish. A soft brush can also be used if the carving is very dirt. After cleaning each part separately, it must be dried with a towel before washing another part of the saddle. Do not allow the clear to dry on the parts. Also do not rinse the saddle or wash the suede seat.
6. To condition your saddle after cleaning we recommend “Lexol NF”. Please remember that the conditioning process is not necessary to maintain the light color and may alter the color somewhat. Leather conditioning is the option of each individual.
7. If your saddles has silver trim it must be cleaned before you add the protective finish to the leather. Clean the silver with a liquid silver cleaner. We recommend “Goddard Silver Dip”. Using a toothbrush, wash each piece of silver and wipe dry or rinse with cold water and then dry. For tougher silver cleaning jobs a wadding such as “Never Dull” or a paste like “Wenol” is best. These work well in removing lacquer coating that is on some silver trim. Should you use a paste or wadding cleaner, avoid getting the black residue on the leather bordering the silver.
Should this happen, wash off with soapy water. The silver dip also works great to rinse the silver after using wadding or paste cleaners. It is okay to get the silver dip on the leather. Once the silver is clean, shine with a “Goddards Silver Cloth” which will restore the luster and look of a new piece.
8. A protective finish on the leather is the next step. We recommend “Harris Acrylic Finish”. This will add a shine and give your saddle a new look. This should be applied only after the saddle has dried completely. To apply the finish, pour a small amount in a cup or bowl. A soft terry cloth is best to apply the finish to the leather parts. Soak the cloth heavily on one end and apply to all areas that need to shine. Use the dry end of the cloth to soak off heavy applications or runs. Apply evenly to all visible parts of the saddle, except the suede seat. Take care to not get the finish on the suede seat. The finish will dry to a shine in approximately 30 minutes.
9. The last step in cleaning your saddle is to brush the suede seat. A brass bristle brush for suede is best for this.
