So I recently bought a barely used Voltaire Lexington and it is in FANTASTIC condition. Is it wrong to drool over a saddle? Anyways, I am not sure of what to use to clean it. I clean it after every ride with Leather New and apply a bit of Lexol Conditioner. Unfortunately, I am doing something terribly wrong. The saddle is cracking/wrinkling in some areas. (I can take a pic or two if you guys would like to see it. It’s really odd. Not cracking and not quite wrinkling, but a mixture of the two.) I recently learned that Leather New is a very aggressive cleaner . I’ve been recommended to use Effax and Tattersall.
What do you guys suggest to use?
Have you had experience with Effax/Tattersall? Which cleaner/conditioner should I buy from them?
Or should I just break down and buy the Voltaire brand cleaners and conditioners?
And finally, what are some tips to keep the beautiful saddle looking new?
Effax combi is great, but is also an aggressive cleaner. I would stay away from any sort of high intensity cleaner and work on oiling or conditioning the saddle.
I would try something else, maybe some oil or Belharra conditioner – and Leather CPR, if you have it. My saddle wrinkles too - are you talking about where knee cushioning is on the flaps? It will wrinkle there if it is dry and cold - a few swipes of CPR or Belharra usually fixes it. Just be careful if you use Belharra, as it likes to rub off on your clothes.
My preferred cleaners/conditioners are Higher Standards Leather Care and Effax Lederbalsam. I use the HS soap to clean my tack almost every ride in the summer & about once per week in the winter (because it is cold where my tack is kept and I’m a weenie). I have the HS leather balm and use it sparingly as needed (using the soap daily tends to keep my tack pretty conditioned in general). The Effax leather balm is great for stuff that is really dry or needs some breaking in. Love it for my old as dirt paddock boots and for my old leather lead lines.
[QUOTE=beowulf;7936550]
My saddle wrinkles too - are you talking about where knee cushioning is on the flaps? It will wrinkle there if it is dry and cold - a few swipes of CPR or Belharra usually fixes it. Just be careful if you use Belharra, as it likes to rub off on your clothes.[/QUOTE]
It’s by the stirrup leather keeper, in an area that doesn’t really get touched by anything (or folded in any way). The previous owner used Tattersall Soap and Effax Lederbalsam and it looks great, but I’m just wondering if anyone else has used something better for their saddle. I’ve read good things about Akene as well.
My Lexol ended up in the trash. One bottle of that stuff had leather showing cracks in multiple places. Once I switched back to plain old Tattersall Soap, all was well again.
[QUOTE=tbchick84;7936570]
My Lexol ended up in the trash. One bottle of that stuff had leather showing cracks in multiple places. Once I switched back to plain old Tattersall Soap, all was well again.[/QUOTE]
So you highly recommend Tattersall as well? How often do you clean your saddle with that soap?
Honestly I have no idea how often to clean a quality saddle. I just got my first nice saddle recently and have been doing internet searches for recommendations. I just know, when I used Lexol, leather got dry and cracked very quickly.
[QUOTE=RideASelle;7936918]
So you highly recommend Tattersall as well? How often do you clean your saddle with that soap?[/QUOTE]
Is it calfskin or buffalo?
Higher Standards. Higher Standards. Higher Standards.
I love it because it’s not terrible aggressive but can get the dirt off. If I don’t have any at the barn for whatever reason, I use Leather Therapy wash. I’ve also found it to be pretty mild, although I don’t like it as much as HS.
Where do you find that? I’ve asked around but nobody’s even heard of it.
[QUOTE=CaitlinandTheBay;7937046]
Higher Standards. Higher Standards. Higher Standards.
I love it because it’s not terrible aggressive but can get the dirt off. If I don’t have any at the barn for whatever reason, I use Leather Therapy wash. I’ve also found it to be pretty mild, although I don’t like it as much as HS.[/QUOTE]
http://www.higherstandardsleathercare.com/buy-it.html
Be careful, you’ll want to collect all the scents and end up with more saddle soap than you could ever use.
If you need more convincing:
[QUOTE=tbchick84;7937096]
Where do you find that? I’ve asked around but nobody’s even heard of it.[/QUOTE]
COTHer Bensmom makes it. There’s a link in her sig line. It’s great stuff!
I asked about the saddle leather because buffalo leather should just be wiped down and oiled with something like Effax or Bienenwachs once a week. You don’t clean buffalo with glycerine soap.
tbchick84 – it sounds like we need to do some additional promoting!! 
Thanks for the compliments, y’all! We love making happy customers!!!
Lexol is worse than useless. There are a ton of other conditioners (including those mentioned above) that are better.
[QUOTE=Sempiternal;7937100]
http://www.higherstandardsleathercare.com/buy-it.html
Be careful, you’ll want to collect all the scents and end up with more saddle soap than you could ever use.
If you need more convincing:
Thanks! I’ll check to see if our local tack store has any tomorrow.
[QUOTE=Bristol Bay;7937001]
Is it calfskin or buffalo?[/QUOTE]
Is it terrible that I don’t know? :eek: Some are calfskin while some are buffalo. I’m assuming buffalo since it is grippier and more tacky than normal calfskin. It could just be the leather that Voltaire uses, though…
I really like the higher standards soap. It does a good job without being overly harsh. I also really like the oakwood saddle soap. Higher Standards is a solid, and Oakwood is a liquid, if you have a preference. My favorite conditioners are passier and oakwood. I usually coat with passier if I know I’m going to get caught in the rain, because it seem to help repel water.
I won’t touch leather new conditioner and soap. I also stay alway from oil for the most part. I only use olive oil on new strapgoods or bridles that need darkening.
I don’t clean my saddles very often and would certainly not do so after every ride. Just a sparing amount of conditioner after you ride should be plenty. Clean your saddle only if it looks dirty.
Higher Standards. I’ve ised every soap out there in the past and only use HS now. Will safely clean without leaving that tacky feeling. The smell is the icing on the cake. :). And it’s all natural so it won’t harm your leather.
I am a tack nerd and I’ve tried everything, but Oakwood is my go-to. The cleaner is mild and doesn’t leave any gunky residue (yet it gets the grime!), and the conditioner is a balsam type. It’s pretty easy to find (Dover, BoB) and very reasonable.
