Can I Put Saddle Soap Over Mink Oil on Boots?

So, you have bought a pair of boots but don’t how to take care of them? There are several products in your market that we can use to take care of our leather boots. Saddle soap and mink oil are two of such products.

Saddle Soap is a cleaning agent that lightly conditions leather and keeps your boot clean while mink oil is a type of leather conditioner that keeps your boot water-resistant and flexible. 

Yes, you can use both saddle soap and mink oil on your boots. Both the products are great for cleaning and hydrating your leather boots. But DO NOT put saddle soap over mink oil on boots. It is recommended that you clean your boots with saddle soap first and then condition them using mink oil.

Let’s talk in-depth about saddle soap and mink oil and how they can benefit your boots.

Differences between Saddle Soap and Mink Oil

See also: Mink Oil vs Saddle Soap

How to use saddle soap and mink oil on boots?

Follow the steps below to clean and condition your leather boots.

1.) 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.

2.) 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. 

3.) 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.

4.) 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. 

5.) After removing the excess saddle soap from your boots, take another soft cloth and wet it thoroughly with mink oil.

6.) 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.

7.) Let your boots soak in and then wipe away any excess that remains for the last time. 

8.) After you are done with both the products, the section you applied the mink oil will look shiny and not wet.

Note: Mink oil can darken boots made up of light leather. In such cases, it is recommended that you use a leather conditioner that is designed for light leather. 

Pros and cons of using saddle soap

Pros

• • • Saddle soap will prevent your leather boots from drying by supplying them with the right amount of moisture.
    • It contains many powerful cleaning compounds that can eliminate any kind of stain from your leather boots.
    • Saddle soaps are effective for cleaning, conditioning, and preserving the original appearance of leather.

Cons

• • • Saddle soap lightly conditions your leather boots. Hence, another product is required to take good care of your boots.
    • Saddle soap does not protect your boots against water, salt, and extreme weather conditions.

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.

Saddle Soap Alternatives

Some alternatives to saddle soap are listed below:

1.) Scrub your Leather Boots using Soap and Water

One of the best alternatives to saddle soap is using water and soap to clean your boots. You can use a soap that has a neutral pH scale between 7-8 (Examples include face soaps, natural dish soaps, etc.). But after cleaning your boots using a pH neutral soap, you must condition your boots using a leather conditioner.

Regarding the use of water, it is suggested that you use ordinary water. You can also use hot water along with the pH-neutral soap and scrub the boots thoroughly in case they are very dirty.

2.) Clean your Boots Quickly Using Wipes

Another good alternative to saddle soaps is Wipes. You can purchase deep cleaning wipes particularly designed for cleaning from any store. Regular baby wipes are gentle and safe on leather boots.

Wipes can clear your boots with ease and quickly. You just need to take one or two pieces of wipes and wipe in a circular motion to get rid of any strain that is present on your leather boots.  

Note: Wipes are mostly appropriate on leathers like aniline and pigmented.

3.) White Vinegar and Olive Oil are Safer than Saddle Soaps

Distilled white vinegar is very resourceful and is a safe alternative to many chemically made and store-bought saddle soaps.

How should you use White Vinegar and Olive Oil on boots?

• • • Pour 1/2 tbsp. of olive oil and 1/4th parts of white vinegar into a spray bottle, and mix them by shaking the bottle strenuously.
    • Now, put a small amount of the mixture on your leather boots and rub them using a clean cloth. Do this repeatedly until all the strains go away from your boots. 
    • Rub the leather with another piece of dry clean cloth until the olive oil is evenly absorbed into the leather.

4.) Apply a concoction of White Vinegar and Linseed Oil instead of Saddle Soaps on Your Boots

One of the great alternatives to using saddle soap for cleaning leather is to mix white vinegar with linseed oil and applying it to the boots. White Vinegar and Linseed Oil are natural items and are a safer alternative to saddle soaps which generally comprise of chemical compounds.

How should you use White Vinegar and Linseed Oil on boots?

• • • Initially, boil the linseed oil for some time and let it cool down. Keep aside white vinegar in another bowl.
    • Next, pour white vinegar and the boiled linseed oil (equal amounts) into a spray bottle and shake them thoroughly.
    • Now, lightly spray it over your leather boots and spread it gently using a soft cloth or brush.
    • Give some time and rub off the mixture with another piece of clean cloth.

Conclusion

Hence, it can be concluded that saddle soap is a good cleaning agent for leather boots. But to successfully condition your leather boots, you must follow it with mink oil.