How to Use Saddle Soap (to Clean Leather Boots)

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You'll often hear guys talk about using Saddle Soap on their boots but it's a tough product to work with: it's an astringent that constricts the fibers of the leather, helping to push out dirt - but it can easily push out the leather's oils and dye as well. So you need to be real careful with how you go about cleaning boots with Saddle Soap and think of it as a last resort. Weston from ‪@RoseAnvil‬ showed me how to do it right in this video!
00:00 What is Saddle Soap?
01:35 Can you use Saddle Soap on suede?
02:06 How to use Saddle Soap
02:51 Make a lather with water and a brush
03:51 Leave on for 5-10 seconds then wipe off
04:05 Use your finger or nail to remove specific stains
04:41 Give another wash to even out color
05:32 Wipe down with a wet towel/sponge to remove all the soap
05:53 Let boot dry overnight
06:16 Condition the leather to restore the oils

[@RoseAnvil]

Dear lord how long ago did we record this?

[@Leo-gl4lb]

during the fall of the ming dynasty

[@Stridewise]

We had just met, our friendship was a baby horse learning to stand

[@Jasons_Argo]

@@Stridewise Today, that baby horse has become a beautiful bucking stallion! Now it’s time for Nick and Weston to slaughter that horse (humanely), tan it’s hide, make the most premium leather heritage boots ever conceived by man, and sell it at an affordable price!

[@Stridewise]

@@Jasons_Argo This metaphor is perfect!

[@thatdudeinblackshoes]

I use dish soap and a plastic scrub brush. Then again my $300 work boots are just that, work boots. I embrace the aging of the leather and hate shiny leather.

[@jasonk6298]

ive used saddle soap on my roughouts. didnt do anything but clean them. i think its perfectly fine.

[@galou0090]

I have done so on some roughout sneakers and although I noticed the nap lays flatter, its better than it being dirty

[@AlexMPruteanu]

My 2 fave KZbinrs! The Dynamic Duo of boot information!

[@IVIEZEIVI]

Great video! I was looking through some of your old videos and was wondering your opinion on the best places to buy a leather duffle/weekend bag?

[@Ateenyyyyy]

As an equestrian I was taught to never use loads of saddle soap. It should never make a white lather. A little goes a long way. Damp sponge bit of soap and scrub it. Good as new

[@jsaenzMusic]

This is also the advice I learned. Even by the saddle soap makers themselves. I understand quality saddle soap is made of lanolin (moisturizing properties) and beeswax (protective properties.). I did however, dry out the parts of my boots I cleaned using this method, trying to get a stain/mark out (wet brush and lather.). It "seemed" right but before when following the products directions of using a damp cloth and using sparingly, I was able to get stains out without harming the leather

[@GoatzombieBubba]

@@jsaenzMusic saddle soap removes some of the oils from the leather so you have to use a conditioner after cleaning.

[@christopheraltman5021]

Great video

[@dp19twn]

Great to know how to clean your boots! But what about the insole or foot bed, it would be great to have your advice!

[@Zebul333]

Thank you for the video, I rarely use saddle soap I use bicks saddle soap when I do. Had two questions. 1. Have you tried walrus oil leather oil and their leather wax? I would like your thoughts on those products 2. How do you treat and condition your waxy commander boots does the nap help absorb oils and waxes better?

[@davidfuertes1973]

I’ve always followed my granddad’s advice. Clean with a soap that doesn’t dry out your skin it would work fine for your leathers. The brush is more important than the soap.

[@noexcuses5524]

Soft bristle brush?

[@tommysmith7031]

Would it be a ridiculous idea to do a video on overcaring for leather boots and shoes? I see some videos where the leather goods are being overcared for.

[@Stridewise]

That's a good idea Tommy!

[@rienavoir8250]

I found an old bar of glycerin saddle soap, couldn't figure out the other ingredients in there, but I'm wondering if it's as harsh as other saddle soaps...

[@kentallard8852]

what do if it isn't foaming? just apply more elbow grease?

[@bluecrewfan88]

Would saddle soap be fine for Thursday's Rugged and Resilient line, specifically, Arizona Adobe?

[@UnknownUser-rb9pd]

Yes. It is "rugged and resilient" and not suede. Saddle soap can be used on any top grain leather. I've used saddle soap on dress shoes . If the leather feels dry afterwards you can always add conditioner but that is unlikely to be required for rugged and resilient unless you use saddle soap many times.

[@Player-125]

That is way too much saddle soap on the brush for a boot or shoe at the beginning. That amount is likely to pull color and oils out of the leather. Don’t do that unless the leather is in rough shape. It is better to hit the leather multiple times lightly if needed. The secret is more in how you work the saddle soap on the leather. It only takes a little to produce a gentle lather. Go easy.

[@Araegrab]

Well wish I saw this before “following” the directions on the package. When it says lather, guess it means lather. Thankfully my boot is black and some conditioning should do the trick. Now to properly clean the other boot.

[@angelbautista5098]

Have you ever tried Reshoevn8r? It's made from coconut and jojoba oil, I've liked it more than saddle soap!

[@billystpaul8907]

Hi Nick, what do I use to clean my White's rough out leather boots...? And, is it okay to use saddle soap to clean the sides of the soles...? And, can I use Obenauf's oil to condition my White's...? I am nervous about using Bick 4 on them...Thanks..

[@MrDyldoBaggins]

you can use a suede cleaner (like saphir's) & protector, depends how pristine you want to keep them looking

[@billystpaul8907]

@@MrDyldoBaggins Thanks for the info

[@phiilo]

so... Fiebings is supposedly the "go to" saddle soap for CXL boots like the alden indys... Products like "Saphir Savon Regenerant Saddle Soap" are not even mentioned as viable alternatives in most discussions regarding that topic on the internet. I wonder why! Are there actual reasons and stats on why Fiebings might be best?

[@Stridewise]

Fiebing's is just the most popular inexpensive one, Saphir's is great I'm sure!

[@jacobroberts2764]

Not supposed to use Saddle Soap on roughout? Whoops! Lol

[@stevenkelby2169]

That's true, it's fine. Just avoid it on suede.

[@Gabaghoul0000]

Nick you haven't aged a day

[@alexsherel3344]

So, you say it could suck some dye from the boot? I’m paraphrasing what you said in the beginning. So….Just got a pair of French Roast Vanguards. They’re too dark, even though TBC claims “they’re the proper collr, if you’re not satisfied, we’ll replace them but you’re gonna get the same color anyway….” Blah blah blah, whatever they could say not to fix the problem. THIS might work….

[@neil1960]

So Much blabber and less on content

[@agfa663]

You talk too much. Just get to the point !

[@Stridewise]

never!

[@agfa663]

@@Stridewise You still talk too much.

[@wilfredwong624]

I used saddle soap for the first time on my 1907 and stripped off a lot of the oil and dye🥲 Wish I have done more research before going for it.

[@Stridewise]

Sorry to hear it man, maybe some colored shoe cream could help

[@Dukeofmamucas]

Personally dish soap works great