Higher Standards is THE absolute best, hands down. It’s the only thing I will ever use! And I’ll always get the sample sizes for my customers, as well. Hopefully, Libby will keep needing new browbands! :lol:
My Rolex shopping list includes saddle soap and now I know what and where to buy! I hope I get mine before it sells out.
peedin – please make sure and see Wise Choice Tack at Rolex and y’all load up! I really don’t want to have to have leftovers shipped back home!
Solarflare – the lemon is always available through Jeffers!
I wish I could find a way to communicate JUST how frustrated I am that I will not be at Rolex. So. Freakin. Grumpy.
I think I need some assistance from you guys…apparently, I am an idiot who can’t follow simple instructions. :-/
I have started using Higher Standards cleaner…tried to follow directions…damp sponge, wipe gently in soap, wipe gently on tack, wipe off with other side of damp sponge. What seems to be happening is that residue from my previous tack cleaner (apparently not a good one!) is just getting swished around the leather…and when I finish cleaning the leather feels horribly sticky. I’m pretty sure I’m either misunderstanding the directions or I need to take additional steps beforehand to get that residue off. It seems when I take just a damp towel to wipe the tack off it doesn’t help.
I’m also pretty positive I just did a terrible job of explaining that. 
Any help would be MUCH appreciated!!!
[QUOTE=HeyJealousy;8106118]
I think I need some assistance from you guys…apparently, I am an idiot who can’t follow simple instructions. :-/
I have started using Higher Standards cleaner…tried to follow directions…damp sponge, wipe gently in soap, wipe gently on tack, wipe off with other side of damp sponge. What seems to be happening is that residue from my previous tack cleaner (apparently not a good one!) is just getting swished around the leather…and when I finish cleaning the leather feels horribly sticky. I’m pretty sure I’m either misunderstanding the directions or I need to take additional steps beforehand to get that residue off. It seems when I take just a damp towel to wipe the tack off it doesn’t help.
I’m also pretty positive I just did a terrible job of explaining that. Any help would be MUCH appreciated!!![/QUOTE]
it may be that the cleaner is bringing the old residue to the surface - it happens often, especially if you use something like Horsemen’s Onestep or something with lanolin in it.
i’d save your delicious higher standards for after you get the gunk out (although you can get it out with HS!) - what works best to remove the old residue (usually oils or fat) is to use something like a hot rag that is in a 5qt bucket filled w/ hot water with a few glugs of ammonia. if you don’t have ammonia you can use any vinegar but i find ammonia works best. use the ammonia to break down the oil/residue, and follow with a clean hot rag & soap. you can also use the ammonia/water/rag with soap if you are extra ambitious. you can use dawn, or ivory, or you can use HS.
[QUOTE=beowulf;8106124]
it may be that the cleaner is bringing the old residue to the surface - it happens often, especially if you use something like Horsemen’s Onestep or something with lanolin in it.
i’d save your delicious higher standards for after you get the gunk out (although you can get it out with HS!) - what works best to remove the old residue (usually oils or fat) is to use something like a hot rag that is in a 5qt bucket filled w/ hot water with a few glugs of ammonia. if you don’t have ammonia you can use any vinegar but i find ammonia works best. use the ammonia to break down the oil/residue, and follow with a clean hot rag & soap. you can also use the ammonia/water/rag with soap if you are extra ambitious. you can use dawn, or ivory, or you can use HS.[/QUOTE]
Thank you SO much.
blushes It MAY have been Horsemen’s One Step that I was (stupidly) using before…
I’m going to try the ammonia/hot water mixture for sure. I knew there was some reason why the HS wasn’t working as beautifully as it has for everyone else! I’ll report back after I’ve done some de-gunking 
[QUOTE=HeyJealousy;8106162]
Thank you SO much.
blushes It MAY have been Horsemen’s One Step that I was (stupidly) using before…
I’m going to try the ammonia/hot water mixture for sure. I knew there was some reason why the HS wasn’t working as beautifully as it has for everyone else! I’ll report back after I’ve done some de-gunking :D[/QUOTE]
You weren’t stupid for using Horsemen’s Onestep! Onestep does have a purpose - IMHO, I think it’s great for breaking in bargain leathers or revitalizing strapgoods that are very dry and old. It does bring older applications, including the leather’s tannings/dyes sometimes, to the surface. What I like to do is let the application soak/dry, and follow up by wiping the straps down with a damp cloth. You will see how well Onestep works on the rag – before you know it the rag will be black!
[QUOTE=beowulf;8106176]
You weren’t stupid for using Horsemen’s Onestep! Onestep does have a purpose - IMHO, I think it’s great for breaking in bargain leathers or revitalizing strapgoods that are very dry and old. It does bring older applications, including the leather’s tannings/dyes sometimes, to the surface. What I like to do is let the application soak/dry, and follow up by wiping the straps down with a damp cloth. You will see how well Onestep works on the rag – before you know it the rag will be black![/QUOTE]
It’s great to hear that, I feel like I’ve only read of the “evils” of Onestep and I felt like I had ruined all my tack. Haha. So (not to hijack this great thread) but would you elaborate on how often the Onestep should be used? Could I use it as a conditioner maybe once a month? (you are so, so helpful, so thank you!!)
That was a great answer to a question I’ve never gotten before! Thanks so much beowulf – now I will have more information to share when I get asked! 
[QUOTE=HeyJealousy;8106183]
It’s great to hear that, I feel like I’ve only read of the “evils” of Onestep and I felt like I had ruined all my tack. Haha. So (not to hijack this great thread) but would you elaborate on how often the Onestep should be used? Could I use it as a conditioner maybe once a month? (you are so, so helpful, so thank you!!)[/QUOTE]
Not to plug, but Bensmom’s HS Balm would go a lot further for you than the Horsemen’s One-step, as you can use the HS Balm at any time, after every ride… etc… it is really more versatile than the Onestep - the two don’t quite compare and the HS is better IMHO.
I use Onestep sparingly and usually only after a really sweaty XC or conditioning ride – the Onestep is balanced so it will get the sweat (sweat is composed of latherin, salt, urea, ammonia, etc) out - sweat can be very detrimental to leather so I use the Onestep to bring that grime back to the surface. If nothing else, Onestep is GREAT at pulling old residue up to the surface… but you will pay for it by having to wipe the straps of leather off with a damp rag for quite some time (until the rag wipes clean) after an application of Onestep.
The HS balm, on the other hand, works very well and is quite replenishing. And you can use it after every ride, on your saddle, etc.
[QUOTE=beowulf;8106124]
it may be that the cleaner is bringing the old residue to the surface - it happens often, especially if you use something like Horsemen’s Onestep or something with lanolin in it.
i’d save your delicious higher standards for after you get the gunk out (although you can get it out with HS!) - what works best to remove the old residue (usually oils or fat) is to use something like a hot rag that is in a 5qt bucket filled w/ hot water with a few glugs of ammonia. if you don’t have ammonia you can use any vinegar but i find ammonia works best. use the ammonia to break down the oil/residue, and follow with a clean hot rag & soap. you can also use the ammonia/water/rag with soap if you are extra ambitious. you can use dawn, or ivory, or you can use HS.[/QUOTE]
I am glad that you mentioned the ammonia. I am always afraid to suggest it and have something go wrong, even though it is an old tried and true method.
[QUOTE=beowulf;8106511]
Not to plug, but Bensmom’s HS Balm would go a lot further for you than the Horsemen’s One-step, as you can use the HS Balm at any time, after every ride… etc… it is really more versatile than the Onestep - the two don’t quite compare and the HS is better IMHO.
I use Onestep sparingly and usually only after a really sweaty XC or conditioning ride – the Onestep is balanced so it will get the sweat (sweat is composed of latherin, salt, urea, ammonia, etc) out - sweat can be very detrimental to leather so I use the Onestep to bring that grime back to the surface. If nothing else, Onestep is GREAT at pulling old residue up to the surface… but you will pay for it by having to wipe the straps of leather off with a damp rag for quite some time (until the rag wipes clean) after an application of Onestep.
The HS balm, on the other hand, works very well and is quite replenishing. And you can use it after every ride, on your saddle, etc.[/QUOTE]
That makes a lot of sense. I’ll stick the Onestep in my trunk until it’s needed…I’ve had my eye on the HS Balm for a while and that’ll probably be my next purchase. 
Thanks so much again for explanation!!
Found Higher Standards soap at Thunderbird show jumping may/june show ( Vancouver, B.C) . I think they were potential prizes but not entirely sure. Just saw 2 jars sitting on the prize shelf in the offices.
P.
[QUOTE=Bensmom;8093180]
I never, in a million years, dreamed I’d have a product that was going to be featured by a Rolex vendor, and without the encouragement that the eventers here on COTH provided, I probably never would have gotten here!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart
Libby[/QUOTE]
Still a satisfied consumer and a walking advertisement over two years later. You done good Libby!
I can attest to the fact that it also works great on dirty, previously uncared for, abused Bean boots as well!
I am also a very satisfied customer. I use it for all my tack right now and it smells good and does a great job. So what else can you ask for… i probably need to get another can soon
You guys! You are all so kind and we have the most loyal customers!!
One of my photos in my timehop yesterday was the 2 years ago photo of us water testing labels by sinking them in a bowl of water for 24 hours to make sure we were making a good choice It is so hard to believe its been two years!
COTHers are the BEST!!
Okay, so - what about on leather furniture? Someone got a pen mark on my leather chair, and I have tips for removing the pen, but they all say to follow up with something nourishing to the leather after, so I was thinking Higher Standards might be the way to go…
My mother used some (in the sugar and spice flavor) on our leather furniture at the mountain house. Restored that and the leather handles on some baskets to brand new looking (and smelled great!)
A second vote for using it on furniture. Although, to be honest, I use it on any and all leather goods without question. Just introduced my new boss to it my cleaning her laptop bag- nonhorse people are so cruel to their leather!
