How to Clean a Blue Ribbon Saddle

A quality Blue Ribbon saddle can last for decades if it receives the proper care. Taking a few minutes to clean your Blue Ribbon saddle after every use is one of the best ways to avoid problems and make your saddle last longer. Taking the time to perform a deeper cleaning once a month or so can also keep your saddle looking like new, even after you have been using it for years.

Things You'll Need

  • Soft cloth
  • Soft bristle brush
  • Saddle soap
  • Leather conditioner
  • Mink oil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush off any accumulated or caked-on mud with a soft-bristle brush. Work slowly and carefully to remove any mud from the stirrups and leather fenders.

    • 2

      Dampen a soft cloth with warm water and use it to clean any remaining dirt from the stirrups of the Blue Ribbon saddle. Wipe the stirrups dry with another soft cloth.

    • 3

      Dip a damp cloth into a container of saddle soap and work up a good lather. Clean one section of the saddle at a time, working the saddle soap as deeply into the leather as you can. Work the lather into the tooling on the Blue Ribbon saddle, then allow it to dry for five minutes before wiping it off with a soft cloth. Continue cleaning the entire saddle one section at a time.

    • 4

      Polish the Blue Ribbon saddle with a soft cloth after cleaning it with the saddle soap. Dampen a soft cloth with a quality leather conditioner and rub it into the leather. If you have a light oil Blue Ribbon saddle, make sure you use a leather conditioner designed specifically for light colored saddles.

    • 5

      Dampen a soft cloth and dip it into a can of mink oil if you have a dark colored Blue Ribbon saddle. Avoid using mink oil on light oil saddles, since the mink oil could darken the leather. Rub the mink oil into the leather to protect it from water and moisture. Focus on the areas most likely to get wet, like the stirrups and fenders.