Mink oil is used in many different ways. Mink oil is often used to treat eczema, insect bites, and even dry skin. There are numerous reasons to use mink oil in the home for pets and humans. Saddle soap comes in a variety of forms but is most commonly used in the veterinary field for its moisturizing benefits when it comes to horses. It can even be found on horse trailers where it typically stays wet all day long despite being covered by hay or straw.
Table of Contents
Can I Put Saddle Soap Over Mink Oil on Boots?
Many people will say that they use one over the other because it’s “just what their boot technician told them to do.” This is not always the best advice and we hope this article will help you make a sound decision for your footwear care and maintenance. One of the common questions people ask about boots is: “Can I use both saddle soap and mink oil on my boots?” The answer is yes, you can use both! They are both natural products, made from different parts of animals (leather and hair), but still can be used together for maximum protection.
Saddle soap is made from the fat of animals such as buffalo, horse, and cow. The fat is mixed with water and sodium hydroxide to create lye. The process is very similar to the old-fashioned methods used for soap making. Mink oil is also made from animal fat, but in this case, it’s mink hair (not surprisingly). The mink oil has a high concentration of natural fats. Just like saddle soap, mink oil cleans and restores softness to leather by adding back oils that are lost either through time or damage, while also nourishing the grain. So both products give your boots a good cleaning along with giving your leather protection while doing so.
So why should you not mix the two?
Depending on the product, both saddle soap and mink oil have similar ingredients. They are both clear liquids with a slightly sour aroma. However, they can be used together safely, but you will need to be aware of the precautions. If you mix mink oil with saddle soap, it is recommended that you let your boots soak in water for a few hours before using the mink oil on them. When using mink oil on your boots, it is recommended that you leave a small amount of saddle soap on your boot before using the mink oil.
Mink oil is water-resistant, though it will fade over time. Therefore, you want to make sure that the last layer of protection your boots have is water-resistant. By leaving a little bit of saddle soap on your boots, the mink oil will have something to latch on to once it dries. This way, your boots will have both cleaning and protective qualities. Using mink oil without the protection of the saddle soap also may create a more slippery soled boot, which may not be ideal for everyone’s needs.
Another reason why you definitely should not mix the two is that you won’t know what kind of residue either of these products might leave behind on your boots. It is important when using products on your boots that you know what they are made from and how much residue they can leave behind. Residue from either of these products could potentially leave a build-up in a boot’s sole which could cause a few problems. For example, the residue could cause the leather to dry out over time, or it may even reduce the lifespan of your boots because it will have a hard time breathing.
Differences Between Saddle Soap and Mink Oil
Saddle soap is used to clean saddles, bridles, and other tack. Saddle soap is the best kind of soap to use on leather products. Mink oil can be used on leather products as well – especially if they are made for pets. Some of the same benefits of saddle soap and mink oil include healing and soothing skin and coat, and alleviating itching and inflammation. Although both can provide these benefits, mink oil has a higher concentration of vitamins than saddle soap does. Mink oil also contains linoleic acid which is beneficial for your skin’s health.
Saddle Soap
1. Cleaning
Saddle soap is used to clean your leather boots from dust and grime. You can use it to wash your boots. It is best to spot clean it because saddle soap can leave a residue behind. This may not be a big deal for your boots’ tack, but it will be a problem if you use it on your leather boots and you like to walk around in them.
2. Conditioning
In the process of softening and conditioning your leather boots, saddle soap eliminates some of the waxes and oils that were previously present on your boots. In the end, saddle soap is a good choice for cleaning leather boots because it leaves them waterproof and shiny.
3. Weather
Saddle soap doesn’t offer any protection against extreme weather conditions. It does not offer protection from further damage from water, salt, and other hazardous elements.
Mink Oil
1. Cleaning
Mink oil does not wash your leather. Hence, if you have dust stains on your boots then mink oil will seal the stain in. Mink oil will not wash away a stain. It will just seal it in. If you have a stain that needs to be removed, then you must take it to a professional.
2. Conditioning
Mink oil conditions and softens leather and restores the moisture. Thus, it does not eliminate the waxes and oils that are present on your boots. Mink oil seals moisture in your leather boots, preventing them from drying out and cracking, which can happen if your leather boots are left in the sun for too long. Mink oil is very light so it leaves little residue on the leather so your boots behave like new ones behave when they are new! They should retain their shine and their softness for many years!
3. Weather
Mink oil adds a solid layer of weather resistance to your boots and keeps them protected in the most extreme conditions. Mink oil offers protection from further damage from elements like water and salt.
How Do You Clean Your Boots Using Saddle Soap And Mink Oil Step by Step?
A leather boot is a valuable item in any closet. But when it gets older, the leather needs to be cleaned in order to remain in good condition. And when you go home, there’s no choice but to do that at least once a week. Aside from regular maintenance, cleaning your boots with saddle soap and mink oil can make them look brand new again by removing stains and keeping them soft and supple. This will keep your boots looking great for years on end! So let’s get started on how to clean your boots with saddle soap and mink oil! Follow the steps below to clean and condition your leather boots.
Step 1: Mud and Dirt Should be Removed.
Firstly, use a soft brush or microfiber cloth to remove any mud or dirt from the boots. Keep on doing this until all the loose dirt has been removed from your boots. Tip: Don’t use an abrasive brush or anything with hard claws to clean your boots because it will damage the leather, which is why you need to use a soft brush.
Step 2: Warm Water and a Gentle Towel
Now, dip a soft cloth in warm water, put it into a can of saddle soap, and then and wipe the boots down with the cloth. Once a good amount of lather has been gathered, then apply the saddle soap to each section of the boot from time to time. Focus on the areas that have been scuffed. You’ll notice that after a while, the leather will become soft and supple. It’s important to pay attention to the whole boot, so you can work it in a horizontal motion going from one side of the boot to the other. Keep on repeating this application until a good amount of lather has been soaked into the towel and saddle soap is getting low in water content.a good amount of lather has been soaked into the towel and saddle soap is getting low in water content.
Step 3: Increasing the Amount of Saddle Soap
Next, give some time to the saddle soap to dry and then polish it away with another soft cloth. Continue applying the saddle soap to all the sections of the boots until the boots are thoroughly cleaned. You can also add a little amount of mink oil afterward to protect the boots, but only a small amount. Now, your boots will be looking good as new!
Step 4: Allow the Saddle Soap to Air Dry
After thoroughly cleaning the boots, let the saddle soap dry completely. Now, wipe away for one last time any excess with a soft brush or cloth. At this point, your boots should be clean but only if the saddle soap was sufficiently applied. So how do you know when to stop? Soak the muddy or dirty areas of your boots in warm water for at least 30 minutes. Then use a soft brush to get rid of any dirt or mud. Once all of the dirt has been removed, dry off your boots with a soft towel. After that, apply some saddle soap to each section of the boot, and then work it into each section in a horizontal motion. This will soften and rejuvenate the leather; in turn, this will prevent scuffs and cracks in the future.
Step 5: Applying Mink Oil
After removing the excess saddle soap from your boots, take another soft cloth and wet it thoroughly with mink oil. Now, wipe down each section of your boots with the cloth to apply mink oil. Then, turn to another part of the cloth and wipe it to polish the boots. Continue doing this until you reach all parts of your boots to keep them looking great! Mink oil has lots of benefits for leather. It’s applied quite often (every month or so) to leather items like belts, handbags, briefcases, shoes and much more.
Step 6: Rub the Mink Oil around Your Boots
At first, apply the mink oil to a small section of your leather boots. Next, rub the mink oil into the leather as thoroughly as possible. Rub the oil in each section of your boots one at a time until the entire surface is covered.
Step 7: Allow Your Boots to Absorb the Moisture.
Let your boots soak in and then wipe away any excess that remains for the last time. After you are done with both the products, the section you applied the mink oil will look shiny and not wet. You can now wear your boots! You will notice that they will be soft and supple and they will look good as new. The next time you clean and condition your boots with saddle soap and mink oil, you can continue to use this same process of cleaning your boots. Just make sure the saddle soap stays within limits, especially for those people who have allergies. One word of caution: In order to protect yourself from harmful effects, always avoid using mink oil on leather items that are made from other materials such as goatskin or suede. Also bear in mind that mink oil comes with a warning label stating to avoid contact with the eyes.
Saddle Soap or Mink Oil? Which one Should You Use?
If you wish to clean and restore moisture in your leather boots, then you must use saddle soap. Saddle soap will remove caked-on mud or any kind of stubborn stains on them from your leather boots. But saddle soap will condition your boots lightly. Although it contains conditioning compounds, you cannot condition your boots using only saddle soap. After using saddle soap on your boots, you will have to use another leather conditioner on them. In such circumstances, mink oil can be a good option. Mink oil does a great job of conditioning and softening leather.
Additionally, it will protect your boots against water, salt, and extreme weather conditions. Hence, it is recommended to clean your boots with saddle soap first and then condition them using mink oil. Both saddle soap and mink oil together will add life back into your leather boots and make them look like a brand new product. Situations where you should not use saddle soap and mink oil
Saddle soap and mink oil can be used on durable leathers that are found on work boots, hiking boots, and winter boots. But, cases where you should not use them together, are listed below. Saddle Soap and Mink oil can be used on smooth leather boots only. Do not use them on suede, nubuck, and rough-out leathers. Do not over-apply either of the products on your boots as this can further ruin your boots. Avoid using mink oil and saddle soap on leather that requires polishing.
In Conclusion
If you’re looking to clean and restore your leather, start with saddle soap. This is a crucial product in every boot care kit. You may not need saddle soap now, but if you wear your boots out in the mud or get salt stains on them, saddle soap does the trick. But saddle soap isn’t a good conditioner. Yes, it has some conditioning compounds, but you won’t be doing the leather service with saddle soap alone. You’ll want to use a leather conditioner on all your boots, even if you’ve used saddle soap on them.
Mink oil does a great job of conditioning and softening leather. As an added bonus, it adds a lot of weather resistance to your boot. But the downside is that it will change the color of your boots forever. If you don’t want to darken the leather too much, try Venetian Shoe Cream instead. It doesn’t have the same weather-proofing effects as mink oil, but it’s just as good as softening and nourishing leather without darkening it.
FAQ
Should I Use Mink Oil on New Boots?
Mink oil should not be used on new boots since it will darken the leather by many shades. Venetian Shoe Cream will keep the leather in the same condition while not affecting the color significantly. However, if you’re buying a new pair of work boots and don’t care about the color, mink oil is fantastic for nourishing and protecting leather, so it’s a great choice for new boots in that circumstance.
Is Mink Oil Bad for Leather?
Mink oil helps nourish and protect the leather. It also adds a layer of weather resistance that helps your leather go through tough conditions. Mink oil is good for leather, but it will change the color significantly.
Does Saddle Soap Remove Leather Oil?
Even oil stains from the natural oils in your skin can be removed from the leather. … Create a mild soapy solution for washing your leather using a capful of saddle soap in 1/2 gallon of warm water. Wash the site of the oil stain on your leather to ensure you’ve removed all the cornstarch and any remaining traces of oil.
Why is Saddle Soap Bad for Leather?
Saddle soap and similar soft soaps are strong alkaline base with a pH of 10 or above. When treated regularly with saddle soap, leather will gradually change from its normal state to alkaline. This pH change will cause the leather to harden, darken, and weaken its structure.