The Equipe Soft Product System
Equipe has developed four specialised products for their aniline leather:
1. Soft Care – Daily/Weekly Maintenance
What it does: 2-in-1 cleaner and conditioner
When to use: Your regular maintenance product (daily or weekly)
Best for: Quick cleaning and conditioning in one step
What it does: Removes mud, grease, and sweat buildup
When to use: Monthly deep treatment
Best for: Thorough cleaning before conditioning
3. Soft Oil – Deep Conditioning
What it does: Hydrates and nourishes the leather
When to use: Monthly, after Soft Clean
Best for: Keeping leather supple and preventing drying
Caution: Use sparingly on billets and stirrup leathers (can cause stretching if overused)
What it does: Locks in moisture and protects from weather
When to use: Monthly, after Soft Oil
Best for: Weather protection and moisture barrier
Bonus: Can use saddle immediately after application
We stock all Equipe Soft products:
- Individual products
- Complete 4-product sets
-
Travel sets with smaller sizes + application mitt (our most popular option!)
Your Cleaning Schedule
Daily: Quick Wipe Down
Time: 2-3 minutes
After every ride
What to do:
- Use a clean, dry, soft cloth
- Wipe down all areas: seat, flaps, sweat flaps, panels, underside of saddle
- Remove sweat and dirt immediately
- Pay special attention to areas where sweat concentrates most
Why: Dried sweat contains salts that damage aniline leather. Immediate removal prevents staining and cracking.
Important for aniline leather: Because your Equipe saddle's aniline leather is more absorbent, sweat can penetrate deeper and cause more damage than it would on pigmented leather. The daily wipe-down is your first line of defence.
Stubborn dirt? Don't scrub when dry – let mud dry completely, brush off gently, then clean properly with Soft Care.
Weekly: Clean & Condition with Soft Care
Time: 5-10 minutes
Once per week or every 4-5 rides
What You'll Need
- Equipe Soft Care
- Two soft cloths (or level up with a sheepskin mitt for easier application)
- Soft brush (for removing dried dirt first)
Step-by-Step Process
1. Prepare
- Remove stirrups and leathers
- Brush off any dried dirt gently
- Place saddle on a stand or clean surface
- Put a small amount on a soft cloth (never directly on saddle)
- Work in sections using gentle, circular motions:
- Seat (front to back)
- Flaps (outer side and sweat flaps)
- Knee rolls and thigh blocks
- Panels (gently)
- Pommel and cantle
- Skirt area
3. Use gentle pressure
- Let the product do the work
- Aniline leather doesn't need aggressive scrubbing
- If dirt won't come off easily, it needs the monthly deep clean
4. Allow to dry
- Soft Care dries in just a few minutes
- Don't use heat to speed drying
- Saddle will be ready to use shortly
How much to use: Approximately 1-2 tablespoons for a full saddle. If it looks greasy or isn't absorbing, you've used too much – buff with a clean cloth.
What you're looking for while cleaning:
- Areas where dirt has built up despite daily wiping
- Any sticky or tacky areas (indicates product buildup – may need monthly deep clean)
- Color changes (could indicate water damage or excessive wear)
- Rough or particularly dry patches (may need the monthly oil treatment)
- Any damage you didn't notice during daily checks
Don't forget: Clean your stirrup leathers and leather girth with Soft Care too.
Monthly: Deep Treatment (3-Step Process)
Time: 10-20 minutes
Once per month
This is your deep cleaning and conditioning treatment using all three products in sequence.
What You'll Need
The Three-Step Process
Step 1: Deep Clean with Soft Clean
Purpose: Remove built-up mud, grease, and sweat that weekly cleaning doesn't address.
How to apply:
-
Remove stirrups, leathers, and girth
-
Apply Soft Clean to a soft cloth
-
Work systematically across all leather surfaces:
- Seat and skirt
- Flaps (outer side and sweat flaps)
- Knee rolls and thigh blocks
- Panels
- Pommel and cantle
- All hidden areas and crevices
-
Use gentle, circular motions
-
Pay extra attention to:
- Areas with heavy sweat buildup
- Behind knee rolls (dirt accumulates here)
- Panel edges
- Areas around buckles and D-rings
Allow to air dry completely:
- Typically takes 5-10 minutes
- Do NOT use heat to speed drying
- The leather should look clean but may appear slightly dry
- This is normal – the oil step comes next
Step 2: Condition with Soft Oil
Purpose: Rehydrate the leather after cleaning and nourish it deeply.
How to apply:
- Once Soft Clean has dried completely, apply Soft Oil to a clean cloth
- Work across all leather surfaces using the same systematic approach
- Apply evenly with gentle, circular motions
-
Important: Use sparingly on billets and stirrup leathers
- These areas can stretch if over-oiled
- A light application is sufficient
- Focus heavier application on flaps, seat, and panels
Allow to absorb completely:
- Typically takes 10-20 minutes depending on temperature and leather condition
- The leather should look slightly enriched but not wet or shiny
- The oil should have penetrated, not be sitting on the surface
- Do NOT use heat to speed absorption
- During this time, you can oil your stirrup leathers (sparingly) and leather girth
How much to use: Start with less than you think you need. You can always add more, but you can't remove excess easily.
Step 3: Protect with Soft Grease
Purpose: Lock in the moisture from the oil and create a protective barrier against weather elements (sun, rain).
How to apply:
- Once Soft Oil has fully absorbed, apply Soft Grease to a clean cloth
- Work across all leather surfaces
- Apply evenly – this is your protective layer
- Cover all areas including billets and leathers (no stretching concern with Soft Grease)
The benefit: You can use your saddle immediately after applying Soft Grease – no drying time needed!
Result: Your saddle should look beautifully conditioned with a subtle, healthy sheen. The leather should feel supple and protected.
Cleaning Your Stirrup Leathers and Girth
Stirrup Leathers
Weekly (with Soft Care):
- Wipe down thoroughly, especially around holes and buckles
- Remove dirt and sweat buildup
Monthly (with the 3-step process):
- Include in your Soft Clean process
- Apply Soft Oil sparingly (leathers can stretch if over-oiled)
- Apply Soft Grease normally
Leather Girth
Weekly (with Soft Care):
- Clean all leather portions
- Check buckles and elastic for damage
Monthly (with the 3-step process):
- Include in your full treatment
- Be thorough around buckles and stitching
- Check elastic sections for wear
Fabric girths: Follow manufacturer's cleaning instructions.
Seasonal Adjustments
Winter (heating season):
- Indoor heating dries the air significantly
- Consider using Soft Care twice weekly instead of once
- Monthly deep treatment becomes even more important
Summer:
- UV exposure can dry leather
- Once-weekly Soft Care is usually sufficient
- Ensure Soft Grease application for UV protection
Competition season
- Increased use means more sweat exposure
- Consider twice-weekly Soft Care
- Don't skip monthly deep treatments even when busy
Quiet months
- Perfect time for your monthly deep treatment
- Don't forget to clean your saddle even if it isn't being used
Products We Recommend
Equipe Soft Care System – Available at Polished Saddles:
-
Individual products – Purchase what you need
-
Complete 4-product set – All four products together
-
Travel set – Smaller sizes with application mitt (our best seller!)
Why buy from us:
- We're an approved Equipe stockist
- Expert advice on product use
- Support for your saddle's lifetime
Need Help?
- Questions about which products to use
- Concerns about your saddle's condition
- Professional saddle fitting and assessment
- Panel maintenance and re-flocking
Conclusion
Your Equipe saddle's aniline leather is premium quality that rewards proper care. By following this simple routine – daily wipe-downs, weekly Soft Care, and monthly deep treatments – you'll keep your saddle looking beautiful and performing perfectly for decades.
Remember:
- Only use Equipe Soft products on your aniline leather
- Never use water-based cleaners or glycerine soap
- Consistency matters more than intensity
- When in doubt, contact us
Your investment deserves expert care. We're here to help.
Related Guides:
- How to Store Your Saddle
- Panel Maintenance and Fitting Checks
- Safety Inspections and Stitching Checks
- Seasonal Saddle Care Tips
Leave a comment