Cleaning and Revitalizing Old Leather

This process was received from Doug Cox, custom saddle maker, Gardnerville, NV

1. Remove loose dirt, manure, hair, etc. from the leather

2. Clean the leather with sudsy Ivory or Dawn soap

• Lather up both sides of the leather with generous amounts of soap suds (may want to use a mild scrub brush for removing hardened dirt, manure, hair, etc.)
• Let leather with soap suds sit for a while (approx. 3-4 hours)
• Rinse all soap off the leather with clear water
• Let the leather dry to a point there is still a small amount of moisture in the leather

3. Apply Castile soap

• Rub Castile soap on both sides of the leather
• Let the soaped leather sit for a while (approx. 1-2 hours)  
• Wipe excess soap from the leather using a soft cloth

4. Apply Fiebring Glycerin soap

• Lather up both sides of the leather with generous amounts of soap
• Let the soaped leather sit for approx. 1 day
• Wipe excess soap from the leather

5. Apply olive oil

• Rub sparing amounts of olive oil onto the leather (top side only)
• Wipe excess oil from the leather
• Let the oiled leather sit for approx. 1-2 days

6. Apply R.M. Williams or Ray Holes saddle butter

• Apply generous amounts of saddle butter to both sides of the leather
• Let the leather sit for approx. 1-2 days (absorbs best in warm temperature)
• Wipe excess saddle butter from the leather

Your renewed leather is now ready for use!