I have a whole bunch of horse tack that I'd like to clean, and I have no clue what to use! Some sites say that they love using Murphy's oil soap, but others say never to use it. Is it ok to use it? Is it better? Second is oil. Is it ok to use olive oil? Pros and cons? What is the best oil to use? Last, which is your favorite leather conditioner? Is there any natural alternatives to leather ocnditioners? I will probably not be using this tack frequently, if at all.

sage... what are you cleaning? can you post pics so I can see the condition of it?

I'll try and post pics soon. I am cleaning a smallish light brown leather saddle, good used condition, a western bridle, also good condition. I will probably also clean my leather halter, which is in God's condition but pretty stiff. I was just given all this stuff cause someone didn't need it, and I'm no expert. There's a whole bunch of other leather pieces that I might clean too, cause why not. Mostly just the saddle, bridle, and halter tho

For the saddle- heat some neatsfoot oil and use it hot on it. That'll soften the leather. Then condition it with lexol to prevent it drying out.

The bridle can just have lexol, I swipe everything I own down with that and it works fine!

Thank you!

Use a saddle soap first, they usually come in a spray bottle that you can find at a tack store. Use Neadsfoot oil for dark leathers, because it WILL stain your light colours darker. (I learned this the hard way)

You can find saddle conditioner for your lighter leathers, it usually has a nice light yellow colour too it. I believe mine is called Leather New

Does neatsfoot oil stain it unevenly? Or does it just make it darker evenly? I'm perfectly fine with it being darker, it's not a good saddle anyway.

I always use:

1. Lexol Leather Cleaner

2. Lexol Conditioner

3. Neatsfoot Oil

In that order. Its essentially your shampoo-conditioner-moisturizer. The conditioner will not change the color of your tack. And you only apply the oil to the "rough" underside of leather, not the "finished" layer that faces out. Any stains you get will only be where the oil has been applied. I've never heated oil before I've used it, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.

You can also "seal" the moisture into your tack by applying a light layer of glycerine soap once all the oil has been soaked up. The glycerine should be in a bar, not liquid.

I would use a glycerin bar saddle soap, or Leather New or Horseman's One Step or Murphys Oil Soap to clean it...if there is any mildew (which it looks pretty clean just dry) you can use some vinegar and water to wipe the saddle first and then clean with the soap...the vinegar helps to kill the mildew.... once it is dry you want to condition... I would use use Leather Therapy or Lexol Deep Conditioner. After cleaning and conditoning it.. you can coat the underneath of the saddle flaps with 100% Neatsfoot Oil (no petroliums ...rots stitching) and you can apply a light coat on the outside always applied to the cloth not the leather and buff it with a soft dry cloth. (this is best to prevent cracking and if tack has become wet). I personally don't like to oil my bridles... it makes them too soft and makes it hard to put the keepers in. Soap and Leather conditioner is fine for the bridle.

I have even washed my suede schooling chaps in the washing machine (by themselves on a large load cold water) with a capful of Murphys Oil Soap.... when they are done .. I hang them to dry and when they are dry (they will be stiff) rub them together and they will soften back up... you can also use a soft toothbrush on the nap of the suede if you have spots. Good luck! Toothbrushes, toothpicks, rags, sponges... all useful for cleaning your tack... don't forget to get the hard to reach areas under the flaps and under the saddle.. and you can always use some duraglit to polish up any shinies you have on the saddle. Another great conditioner is Passier Leaderbalsam (great stuff!!)