Cart
0
At Usher Brand, we know that every saddle we build is more than a piece of equipment – it’s an investment. To protect that investment, regular care is essential, especially when it comes to cleaning and conditioning the leather. To help you get the most out of your gear, we’ve put together our top tips for caring for your saddle leather. With the right maintenance, you can keep your saddle looking great and performing at its best for years to come.
Time for a Deep Clean?
We’ve all been there: you really look at your saddle one day and realize how long it’s been since you’ve taken the time to deep clean it. It might seem daunting, but we promise you it’s a lot easier than you think.
If you ride a rough out saddle, go ahead and scroll down – we’ve got some special steps for you!
Step One: We use a simple and effective mix of Dawn dish soap and water. This mild solution is tough on sweat and dirt but gentle enough for leather, making it a go-to option in our shop. We start by mixing a small amount of Dawn with water in a bucket, then use a soft cloth to gently scrub the saddle in circular motions, focusing on areas with heavy grime buildup.
Step Two: Once the saddle is clean, we rinse it off thoroughly with clean water. Rinsing is an important step to remove all soap residue.
Step Three: Any time you scrub your saddle down, rehydrating the leather is KEY after letting it air dry. Either re-oil with olive oil or neatsfoot oil, or condition with a leather conditioner of your choice with a tack sponge. We personally use Fiebing’s Aussie Leather Conditioner. Make sure you wear gloves for this step, the oil can make a mess!
Important note: Neatsfoot oil will darken the leather more than olive oil.
Properly Caring for Your Rough Out Saddle
If rough out saddles are more your style, there are some special steps you need to take. They require a little extra attention, but we promise it’s worth it!
You’ll need: a wire brush, canned air, olive oil, a fleece leather care pad, leather conditioner, a tack sponge, gloves.
Step One: We begin by gently scrubbing the roughout leather with a wire brush in circular motions to loosen dirt and grime without damaging the surface. Then, we use canned air to blow away any remaining debris.
Step Two: Lightly coat a fleece leather care pad in olive oil and begin working it in light, circular motions. Make sure you wear gloves for this step, the oil can make a mess!
Important note: Roughout leather is extremely porous and behaves differently than smooth leather. It absorbs moisture and oil quickly, so take your time and use a light touch!
At Usher Brand, we’re proud to build saddles that last, and we’re here to help you keep them that way. Got questions? Reach out! We’re always happy to help you find your next ride.
Looking for an Usher Brand saddle of your own? These saddles just hit the site!