Leather furniture like couches, chairs, ottomans, and the like can last for years with the proper care. You need to clean and condition your leather furniture regularly to prevent them from drying out and cracking. Saddle soap is a common product used to clean leather tacks and boots, but can it be used on leather furniture?
Saddle soap is designed to clean and condition any type of leather, including your leather furniture. It contains cleaning, nourishing, and protective ingredients which help to clean and soften the leather furniture.
While saddle soap is a great way to clean your leather furniture, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. So, continue reading this article as I share with you;
- The pros and cons of using saddle soap on leather furniture,
- How to properly use saddle soap to clean your leather furniture,
- Important tips and tricks to keep in mind when cleaning leather furniture with saddle soap,
Let’s get started!
The Pros Of Using Saddle Soap On Leather Furniture
There are a lot of benefits that come with using saddle soap on leather furniture.
1. Saddle Soap Contains Natural Ingredients Suitable For Leather
With leather being a natural product, it is important to use saddle soap as it contains ingredients that will not damage leather.
While different manufacturers will put different things in their saddle soap, the main ingredients are usually going to be lanolin, beeswax, and neatsfoot oil–which are all natural and good for leather.
Lanolin is extracted from sheep’s wool, and it is a natural conditioner that helps to soften the leather.
Neatsfoot oil, on the other hand, comes from the feet of cows, and it works to replenish the natural oils in leather that can be lost over time.
Beeswax helps to create a barrier on the surface of the leather furniture to protect it from dirt, dust, and other elements.
All of these ingredients work together to clean and condition your leather furniture without damaging it.
2. Saddle Soap Can Clean Your Leather Furniture
As I mentioned, saddle soap contains cleaning ingredients that can help to remove stains, grease, dirt, dust, and other debris from the surface of your leather furniture.
It works by shrinking the tissue bodies in leather fibers and pores, making it very easy to pull out stains from the leather furniture.
We all know how our leather furniture can take a beating–whether it’s from spills, kids, pets, or just everyday use.
And while a regular wipe-down with a damp cloth can help to remove some of the dirt and debris, there will always be stains and grime that build up over time.
That’s where saddle soap comes in!
It is important to clean your leather furniture regularly to prevent a build-up of dirt and grime, which can damage the leather over time.
Saddle soap is an effective way to clean your leather furniture, and it will not damage the leather like some harsh chemicals can.
3. Saddle Soap Contains Conditioning Ingredients
Another benefit your leather furniture stands to gain from using saddle soap is that it contains conditioning ingredients.
As I mentioned, lanolin and neatsfoot oil are two of the main ingredients found in saddle soap, and they work to condition leather.
These natural oils help to replenish the natural oils in leather that can be lost over time, which helps to keep leather soft and supple.
In addition, beeswax helps to create a barrier on the surface of leather, which can help to protect it from drying out.
But this is not to say saddle soap should be the primary way you condition your leather furniture.
It is still important to use a dedicated leather conditioner on a regular basis to keep your furniture in tip-top shape.
4. Saddle Soap Is A Cheap And Effective Way To Clean Leather Furniture
Personally, I do not like spending a lot of money on cleaning products–and saddle soap is no exception.
One of the reasons I like using saddle soap to clean my leather furniture is because it is relatively cheap. And not only is the saddle soap cheap, but it is also effective at what it does.
A little goes a long way, so one bottle of saddle soap will last you a long time. You can find saddle soap at most stores that sell cleaning supplies, and it’s usually under $5.
So if you are looking for a cheap and effective way to clean your leather furniture, saddle soap is a good option.
5. Saddle Soap Is Easy To Find
Last but not least, saddle soap is easy to find. Why is this important?
This is important because you will be able to keep a good consistent cleaning routine for your leather furniture if you can easily find and purchase the saddle soap when you need it.
Saddle soap is available on almost all online marketplaces, as well as in most stores that sell cleaning supplies.
So if you are looking for an easy way to keep your leather furniture clean, saddle soap is a good option.
The Cons Of Using Saddle Soap On Leather Furniture
Just like anything else, there are also some drawbacks that come with using saddle soap on leather furniture.
1. Saddle Soap Can Cause Leather To Dry Out
I have had a lot of people mention that they have noticed their leather furniture starting to dry out and crack after using saddle soap a few times.
While this is a possibility, it is important to keep in mind that this can happen only under certain circumstances.
Firstly, if you use saddle soap too frequently to treat your leather furniture, this can cause the leather to dry out.
You should only use saddle soap on your leather furniture every few months or as needed.
In addition, if you do not properly condition your leather furniture after using saddle soap, this can also cause the leather to dry out and crack.
As I mentioned before, although saddle soap contains conditioning elements, it is still important to use a dedicated leather conditioner on a regular basis to keep your furniture in good shape.
If you follow these guidelines, you should not have any problems with using saddle soap on your leather furniture and drying it out.
2. Saddle Soap Strips Waxes And Oils From Leather
Another potential drawback of using saddle soap on leather furniture is that it can strip away any waxes or oils that are on the leather furniture.
These waxes and oils are usually essential in nourishing and protecting your leather furniture. The saddle soap can remove these important elements leaving your leather furniture looking dull and dry.
To avoid this problem, it is important to use a leather conditioner after using saddle soap on your furniture. This will help to replenish the lost waxes and oils.
How To Use Saddle Soap On Leather Furniture
Now that we have gone over some of the pros and cons of using saddle soap on leather furniture let’s take a look at how to use it properly.
You can use Fiebing’s Saddle Soap, Kiwi Saddle Soap, or any other related saddle soap.
Step One:
- Start by dusting off or vacuuming your leather furniture to remove any loose dirt or debris.
Step Two:
- Dampen your microfiber cloth with some water, and then add a small amount of saddle soap to the cloth.
Step Three:
- Rub the saddle soap into the leather in a circular motion until you have covered the entire surface.
Step Four:
- Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe away any excess soap.
Step Five:
- Apply a leather conditioner to the leather furniture and buff it in.
And that’s it! These simple steps will help you clean your leather furniture and keep it looking its best.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! That is everything you need to know about using saddle soap on leather furniture.
I hope that this article was helpful and that you now have a better understanding of the pros and cons of using saddle soap on your furniture.
Thanks for reading and sticking around until the end! Until next time.