When you ride, the last thing you want is unclean gear. The sweat and grime from your saddle makes it smell and feel unappealing. Luckily, there are many ways to clean your own saddle so it’s ready for the next ride. Depending on your preference, you can clean your leather saddle at home or at the stables; either way, it’s a simple process that doesn’t take much time. Read on for more information about cleaning your leather saddle so it’s ready for the next ride.
Loose dirt and scum
If you’ve been trail riding and the saddle gets wet, you may find a layer of dirt and scum on the surface. You can easily remove this with a stiff brush and warm water. Start at the back of the saddle and work your way around the sides. Once you’ve removed the dirt and scum, rinse the leather with a little warm water and a cloth to remove any excess dirt and grit. Then, finish with a dry cloth to remove any excess water.
Vinegar and water
While vinegar is commonly used to clean leather, it can be quite harsh on synthetic saddles. Use this method if you want to clean your synthetic saddle, but be careful not to let it get too wet. Start by sprinkling a little vinegar on the surface of the saddle. Let it sit for a few minutes, then use a soft brush to scrub the vinegar away. Finally, rinse the saddle with water to remove any remaining vinegar and residue. You can also try mixing one part water with one part white vinegar to create a stronger cleaning solution.
Baking soda and water
Baking soda and water is another simple way to clean your leather saddle. Start by sprinkling baking soda onto the surface of the saddle, then sprinkle water onto the surface as well. Let the baking soda and water sit for a few minutes, then use a soft dry cloth to remove the baking soda and residue. This can also be used to clean synthetic or synthetic-leather seats on motorcycles.
Lemon and water
Lemons are a great way to naturally clean your leather saddle. Start by scrubbing the surface of the saddle with a soft brush, then dip the brush in water and lemon juice. Let the lemon juice sit for a few minutes, then rinse the saddle with water to remove the lemon juice. This can also be used to clean synthetic or synthetic-leather seats on motorcycles.
Isopropyl alcohol and cotton swab
Isopropyl alcohol is typically used to clean and disinfect medical equipment and can also be used to clean leather. Start by mixing a few drops of isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab. Use the cotton swab to scrub the surface of the saddle, then rinse the leather with water to remove any remaining alcohol and residue. This can also be used to clean synthetic or synthetic-leather seats on motorcycles.
Toilet paper
Toilet paper is another common method of cleaning your leather saddle. Start by tearing a few pieces of toilet paper into small pieces, then place them on the surface of the saddle. Let them sit for a few hours, then remove the toilet paper. Finally, rinse the saddle with water to remove any remaining toilet paper. This can also be used to clean synthetic or synthetic-leather seats on motorcycles.
Washing machine (with no detergent)
You can also clean your leather saddle by washing it in a washing machine. Start by placing the saddle in the machine and washing with warm water on the gentlest cycle. After a few minutes, rinse the saddle and turn the machine off. This can also be used to clean synthetic or synthetic-leather seats on motorcycles.
Conclusion
Leather is a natural material, so it’s unsurprising that it can also be used to clean your gear. There are many simple ways to clean your leather saddle, including using baking soda, water, vinegar, and even toilet paper. When you’re ready to clean your saddle, make sure it’s clean and dry before applying fresh oil. This will help your saddle stay in great condition and last for many years to come.