How to Make Saddle Soap

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 10, 2022 Approved

Saddle soap is used to clean, condition and protect leather. Saddle soap is commonly used on saddles and other horse equipment called “tack,” but it can also be used on tough leather items like leather shoes, belts, or furniture. Since saddle soap both cleans and conditions leather, it removes dirt from leather exterior, and helps keep leather supple and well-conditioned.^{[1]
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Research source} You can easily make your own saddle soap at home using a variety of simple, inexpensive ingredients instead of purchasing it from a tack supply store.

Ingredients

Making a Conditioning Saddle Soap

3.5 cups (830 mL) of water
0.25 cups (59 mL) of neatsfoot oil
0.75 cups (96 g) of grated bar soap
0.75 cups (64 g) of grated beeswax or paraffin
makes about 5 cups (1,200 mL) of soap

Making a Cream-Based Saddle Soap

1 pound (0.45 kg) of glycerin
0.25 cups (59 mL) of milk or cream
makes about 2 cups (470 mL) of soap

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making a Conditioning Saddle Soap

1
Grate 0.75 cups (96 g) of bar soap and 0.75 cups (64 g) of wax. You can use a grater with small, medium or large sized holes. Whichever size grater you choose, grated pieces of soap and wax will melt more quickly and evenly than bars.^{[2]
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- You can use scented or unscented bar soap in any color.
- Beeswax or paraffin wax will help seal your leather, making it more resistant to water.^{[3]
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2
Bring 3.5 cups (830 mL) of water to a boil over high heat. In a large pot you no longer use for cooking, bring the water to boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium once it begins boiling.

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3
Melt the 0.75 cups (96 g) of soap and 0.75 cups (64 g) of wax in water. Stir the grated soap into the water until it is melted. Once the soap has melted in the water, add your grated beeswax or paraffin and stir again until it has melted with the rest of the mixture.
4
Remove the pot from heat and add 0.25 cups (59 mL) of neatsfoot oil. Take the pot off your stove and place it onto a heat-safe surface. Stir in the 0.25 cups (59 mL) of neatsfoot oil. Keep mixing until the oil has combined with the rest of the mixture.^{[4]
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- An animal-based oil like neatsfoot oil will soak into your leather and soften it.^{[5]
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5
Stir the mixture until it begins to thicken. Stir your soap mixture continually, mixing in any soap buildup along the sides of your pot. When the soap mix begins to cool after a few minutes, it will start thickening. As soon as it starts thickening but remains easy to pour, it is ready to store. ^{[6]
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6
Pour the saddle soap mix into a jar or sealable container. A wide mouth glass jar or container works for easy pouring and storage. Make sure it has cooled for an hour or two before sealing it with a lid or adding labels. Your saddle soap is set and ready to use when it is hard to the touch.
- Store your saddle soap in a cool, dry place to make it last longer.
- This saddle soap can be applied with a damp cloth to the leather surface, then buffed dry with a clean cloth.
- Saddle soap can clean leather boots along with leather tack when used properly.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making a Cream-Based Saddle Soap

1
Cut a 2 lb (0.91 kg) block of glycerin in half. Glycerin is often sold in supermarkets, craft stores, and beauty stores in a 2 lb (0.91 kg) block. Once you have the 1 lb (0.45 kg) block of glycerin you need for this recipe, you can save the other half for another saddle soap mixture in the future.^{[7]
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- If you're storing extra glycerin for future use, you can wrap it in plastic wrap or wax paper, and store it in a cool, dry area.
2
Cut the 1 lb (0.45 kg) block of glycerin into smaller chunks. The small chunks of glycerin you cut do not have to be perfect or even. Cut the block into small chunks the size of your thumbnail. These smaller pieces will melt more quickly in your microwave.^{[8]
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3
Melt the 1 lb (0.45 kg) of glycerin in 30 second intervals. Place the small chunks of glycerin in a microwaveable bowl. Heat the glycerin on medium power for 30 seconds in your microwave, then remove and stir. Keep microwaving in 30 second intervals until the glycerin has melted.^{[9]
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- A 1 lb (0.45 kg) piece of glycerin will make approximately 2 cups (470 mL) of liquid when melted.^{[10]
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4
Stir the 0.25 cups (59 mL) of milk or cream into your mixture. Stir continuously to combine. To make a scented version of saddle soap, replace the milk or cream with 0.25 cups (59 mL) leather cleaner (not leather conditioner). Stir in a few drops of scented essential oils.
- Cream-based saddle soap made with animal fats and protein, like milk, condition leather well.^{[11]
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5
Stir your soap mixture until it begins to thicken. Make sure you scrape any buildup from the sides and mix it in as well. It will begin to thicken as it cools. Once your soap mixture is becoming harder to stir but still able to be poured, it’s ready for storage.
6
Pour the mixture into your jar or container. Let your saddle soap cool for an hour or two before sealing the jar or container. When it is hard to the touch, it has set and is ready to use. The glycerin will prevent the milk or cream in your soap from going rancid.
- Make your saddle soap last longer by storing it away from water in a cool, dry place.

Community Q&A

Question

Why is my wax separating from the rest of the mixture?

Community Answer

It might be because you're not properly incorporating the wax or leaving the pan on the heat long enough. Either way, it should still work even if the wax is separated.
Question

Can I only use glycerin, or any soap bar?

Community Answer

Glycerin will work best, as it is more heavy duty but won't damage the saddle.
Question

How much saddle soap does recipe #1 make?

Community Answer

It should be about five cups worth of the soap, possibly more or less depending how accurate your measurements are.

Warnings

Neatsfoot oil may darken some leathers, so be aware of this before you use saddle soap containing this ingredient.

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