If you’re like most people, you probably think that saddle soap and regular soap are one and the same. After all, they both have the word “soap” in them, so they must be the same thing, right?
Wrong! In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between saddle soap and regular soap. I’ll cover everything from what each type of soap is used for to how to use them correctly.
In short, saddle soap is particularly made for cleaning leather, while regular soap can be used for cleaning just about anything else. However, there are a few key differences that set the two apart.
Saddle soap is made with natural ingredients like beeswax, neatsfoot oil, or lanolin, which gives it moisturizing properties that are beneficial for leather. Regular soap, on the other hand, is made with synthetic ingredients that can be harsh on leather.
So that’s the shorter version of the differences between saddle soap and regular soap. But if you want to know more about each type of soap, keep reading!
Saddle Soap vs Regular Soap – The Details
For easy comparison, let’s take a look at both of these soaps from the perspective of;
1. Ingredients
One of the main differences between saddle soap and regular soap is the ingredients that are used to make them.
Saddle Soap
Saddle soap is made with natural ingredients like beeswax, neatsfoot oil, glycerine, soap agents, and water.
These ingredients work together to clean the leather, condition and protect it at the same time. By so doing, the leather is left with a natural shine, and it’s also soft to the touch.
Regular Soap
Regular soap, on the other hand, is very high in alkaline and, when used on leather, can cause severe damage to it. For example, this can leave your leather dried out and cracked.
Additionally, regular soap also contains surfactants and detergents (like SLS/SLES), which can further damage the leather by breaking down its protective surface layer.
2. What It’s Used For
Another differentiating factor between saddle soap and regular soap is what each one is used for.
Saddle Soap
Saddle soap is mainly used for cleaning leather. It can be used on all types of leather, from saddles and bridles to boots, belts, purses, and furniture.
Saddle soap comes with all the necessary ingredients to make leather look and feel new again. And just so you know, you cannot use saddle soap to clean your body or your clothes – it’s made specifically for leather!
Regular Soap
On the other hand, regular soap can be used for cleaning anything that’s not leather. This includes dishes, clothing, your body, and your hair.
It’s important to note that while you can use regular soap on leather, it’s not ideal and can cause damage to the leather over time.
Regular soap can be used for cleaning just about anything else. From your body to your dishes, regular soap is a versatile product that has many uses.
3. How It’s Used
Another way to differentiate between saddle soap and regular soap is how each one is used.
Saddle Soap
When using saddle soap, you will need first to dampen a clean cloth with warm water. Next, create a lather by rubbing the saddle soap onto the wet cloth.
Once you have a good amount of lather built up, rub it into the leather in small circles. Be sure to pay extra attention to areas that are particularly dirty.
After you’ve rubbed the saddle soap into the leather, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away any excess. Next, you need to dry any excess water on the leather and apply a leather conditioner. Finally, buff the leather with a dry, soft cloth to bring out its natural shine.
Regular Soap
First of all, you can’t use regular soap on leather. When using regular soap on other materials like dishes or clothing, you’re not required to condition the item after cleaning it. All you do is wash and rinse the item with a lot of running water.
4. The Results
The last way to differentiate between saddle soap and regular soap is by looking at the results each one produces.
Saddle Soap
When used correctly, saddle soap will clean your leather and leave the leather with a nice moderate shine and a clean look. It will also help to condition and protect the leather, keeping it soft, supple, and shiny.
Regular Soap
On the other hand, regular soap will clean your leather but will also leave it looking dry and, in some cases, faded. Additionally, over time, regular soap can damage the leather by breaking down its protective surface layer.
Are There Regular Soaps You Can Use on Leather?
Now that we’ve looked at the differences between saddle soap and regular soap, you might be wondering if there are any regular soaps that can be used on leather.
There are a few regular soaps that can be used on leather without causing any damage but should not be used as replacements for regular leather cleaners. These include:
Dish Soap:
Dish soap is designed to be tough on grease and grime but gentle enough not to damage delicate materials.
This makes it perfect for use on leather. Just make sure you rinse the dish soap off thoroughly after cleaning, condition the leather with a good leather conditioner, and dry the leather completely before using it again.
While you can use dish soap on your leather items, I would not recommend using this regularly or as your regular leather cleaner, as this can eventually damage your leather items.
What you need to use is a good leather cleaner specifically designed for leather.
Baby Shampoo
Just like dish soap, baby shampoo is designed to be gentle enough not to damage delicate materials but tough enough to get the job done.
This makes it another great option for cleaning leather. Just make sure you rinse the baby shampoo off thoroughly after cleaning and condition your leather with a good leather conditioner.
I would not recommend using baby shampoo on your leather items regularly, as this can also eventually damage your leather items.
Final Thoughts
Saddle soap got its name because it was originally used to clean saddles. It’s also a softening and waterproofing agent that helps preserve leather by keeping it supple. Saddle soap is usually sold in a tin and is applied with a damp sponge or cloth.
While you can use regular soap on leather, it’s not ideal and can cause damage to the leather over time. It’s important to note that while saddle soap is specifically designed for cleaning leather, you should not use it on your body or your clothes.
This concludes my blog post on the difference between saddle soap and regular soap. I hope you found this article informative and helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them. Thanks for reading!
