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I just saw some Kiwi saddle soap at the store. Has anyone ever used this on their leather seats?
Kiwi saddle soap on leather seats.
- Thread starter aquariuscsm
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i have. smells good, keeps leather soft and supple
The leather experts on other forums tend to think saddle soap is a bad idea-
My buddy used it on RR and Caddy leather seats. Give it some time to absorb before sitting down. Otherwise worked fine. That's the only thing he used.
I would call and talk to a leather shop person. Certainly there is a modern leather preservative that is better than something made in the 1930s for saddles & baseball gloves.
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If you are looking for over the counter, I say go to Wal Mart and buy the Mequires' Gold Class cleaner
It will be in a spray bottle.
Do not mistake it for the Gold Class CLEANER/CONDITIONER combo -that works like [censored] (as will every other over the counter I have tried) Also, there is no need to buy the conditioner.
I normally order my stuff from a detailing site so that I can get professional stuff -However, I was in a pinch so I gave it a whirls and was pleasantly surprised.
Also, for very gentle cleaning you can use unscented baby wipes.
It will be in a spray bottle.
Do not mistake it for the Gold Class CLEANER/CONDITIONER combo -that works like [censored] (as will every other over the counter I have tried) Also, there is no need to buy the conditioner.
I normally order my stuff from a detailing site so that I can get professional stuff -However, I was in a pinch so I gave it a whirls and was pleasantly surprised.
Also, for very gentle cleaning you can use unscented baby wipes.
This is from Auto Geek:
Anyone who has ever worked with saddle soap can tell you... it’s messy, it can stain certain leathers, it often streaks, it doesn’t clean well at all, it requires rinsing and it leaves the surface feeling tacky. Whoever first touted saddle soap as a leather cleaner had their facts dreadfully wrong. The truth is that saddle soap was never intended as a leather cleaner. During the 1800’s the method of tanning leather was to drench it with oils and rub them into the skins to restore pliability and softness to the hide. Leather tanners of the day used a variation of what today we refer to as saddle soap to affect restoration of suppleness. However, the soaps were never used to actually clean the hides.
Consumers have always endeavored to reach for the favorite products of tradesmiths. If the professionals use something it must work great... right? Well, for it’s industrial use, saddle soap did its job well... back in the 1800’s, mind you. These days, leathersmiths tan hides using the most advanced emulsions and have long abandoned the use of saddle soaps – for any purpose. These modern emulsions simply perform better, soften quicker, and deep condition with lasting moisturizers.
Saddle soap is also notoriously alkaline – and alkalinity actually damages leather. Alkalinity can abrade both the hide itself and the stitching which binds it. With all the great leather care products available at market; there is simply no reason to opt for saddle soap.
Anyone who has ever worked with saddle soap can tell you... it’s messy, it can stain certain leathers, it often streaks, it doesn’t clean well at all, it requires rinsing and it leaves the surface feeling tacky. Whoever first touted saddle soap as a leather cleaner had their facts dreadfully wrong. The truth is that saddle soap was never intended as a leather cleaner. During the 1800’s the method of tanning leather was to drench it with oils and rub them into the skins to restore pliability and softness to the hide. Leather tanners of the day used a variation of what today we refer to as saddle soap to affect restoration of suppleness. However, the soaps were never used to actually clean the hides.
Consumers have always endeavored to reach for the favorite products of tradesmiths. If the professionals use something it must work great... right? Well, for it’s industrial use, saddle soap did its job well... back in the 1800’s, mind you. These days, leathersmiths tan hides using the most advanced emulsions and have long abandoned the use of saddle soaps – for any purpose. These modern emulsions simply perform better, soften quicker, and deep condition with lasting moisturizers.
Saddle soap is also notoriously alkaline – and alkalinity actually damages leather. Alkalinity can abrade both the hide itself and the stitching which binds it. With all the great leather care products available at market; there is simply no reason to opt for saddle soap.
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