Q&A for How to Make Saddle Soap

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  • 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.
  • Question
    This soap stained my saddle. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    It most likely did not stain it, but it probably made it darker because it renewed the leather. Nothing in this article should stain your saddle.
  • Question
    The mixture is not thickening or setting. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Try cooling it down or try a different recipe.
  • Question
    Can I use liquid vegetable glycerin intead of the blocks?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but just a little bit. Apply with a dry cloth, and rub it in really well.
  • Question
    Can I use olive oil on saddles?
    Palomino.equestrian
    Community Answer
    Olive oil works well as a saddle soap, although it's probably better just to use standard saddle soap if it is available.
  • Question
    I tried making conditioning saddle soap (using the first recipe). The saddle soap did not solidify. Is this normal? I was looking for it to be a paste.
    Community Answer
    It may be a little too humid where you live, like me.
  • Question
    Can I use mink oil instead of Neatsfoot oil?
    Community Answer
    Technically, yes. But note that an application of mink oil will moisturize and replenish your leather but, like Neatsfoot oil, it will eventually oxidize and harden your leather.
  • Question
    I couldn't get the bar soap to melt... what am I doing wrong? It just stayed in big clumps.
    Natalie Detert
    Community Answer
    It might just be the type of soap you are using. Think about it like melting chocolate, some types melt easily others don't. Try another type or brand and see if that works.
  • Question
    Can I use olive oil instead of neatsfoot oil? If so, will the solution go bad or rancid after a while?
    Natalie Detert
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can, and yes it will probably go bad after a while. So, I recommend just using Neatsfoot Oil, as it will last longer.
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