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Gear Guide Tried & Tested

Tack Cleaner

Tried & Tested
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While quality, well-fitting saddles and bridles are hefty, but unavoidable, investments for any diligent horse owner, when given plenty of TLC they’re a piece of kit that can last years on end.

Keeping your tack in tip top condition starts with an appropriate maintenance regime and a quality tack cleaner is one of the most vital aspects. Finding the perfect product to let loose on some of your most prized possessions doesn’t have to feel like a gamble. Horse&Rider has put a selection to the test so you don’t have to.

Our testers: You can trust Horse&Rider tried and tested features to rigorously put products through their paces in real-life situations to help you make an informed decision on the right purchase for you. Tack cleaners were used after rides on a regular basis and were expected to tackle dirt of all kinds, from water marks to mud, sand, sweat and more. Testers were asked to pay special attention to the ease and quality of the clean, the finish it provided and the longevity. Our best in test and best value products were the most effective and versatile, and offered a lasting finish.

The products

Equipe Soft Clean
RRP
£19.00

Equipe Soft Clean

A non-soapy formula to remove dirt and sweat from leather without drying it out.

£19 for 500ml

  • Conditioner sold separately

Ideal for everyday use. Quick and easy to apply, it removed dirt and grease without the need to use much product. The bottle’s small opening meant you didn’t overload your sponge with too much product at once. Soaked in quickly and left the leather clean but would prefer a more versatile two-in-one option to produce more of a shine when time’s tight.

Cavalor leather soap
RRP
£17.00

Cavalor leather soap

Glycerine-based liquid saddle soap for intensive leather cleaning. 

£17 for 500ml

  • Cleans and conditions
  • Conditioner sold separately
  • Refills available

Very easy to apply spray that despite being a liquid formula didn’t drip. Only needed a small amount for long-lasting results as it lathered up a bit if too much was applied. A quick wipe over with a cloth after cleaning removed any soapy residue and brought out the shine. Effects remained for days and left leather feeling soft and supple. Despite being a higher pricepoint, the product lasted well and offered decent value. 

eskadron
RRP
£11.12

Absorbine Horseman’s One Step

All-in-one formula that cleans, conditions and protects tack. 

£11.12 for 425g

  • Cleans and conditions

Easy to apply and left a lovely shine. It has a creamy texture that removed dried sweat, light dirt and grease without leaving a sticky finish. Can be used straight from the pot with a sponge and a little went a long way. Cleaned and conditioned equally well, so a great all-rounder. Even used on leather riding boots with great results. The tack looked great even a couple of days after application. 

Supreme Products soft leather soap
RRP
£10.10

Supreme Products soft leather soap

Ideal to clean, soften, refresh and add show-ring shine to leatherwork. 

£10.10 for 450g

  • Conditioner sold separately

The soap was easy to use and effectively cleaned off any grease and dirt, absorbing well and leaving the leather feeling soft and supple. Great for when the leather needs extra attention. The soap hardened during colder weather, but was still easy to apply. It also left the tack with a lovely shine without a greasy residue, so great to use everyday or for special occasions.  

Aqueos anti-bacterial tack cleaner spray
RRP
£9.99

Aqueos anti-bacterial tack cleaner spray

A two-in-one solution that cleans and disinfects your tack.

£9.99 for 750ml

  • Refills available

Lifted off grease and grime easily before conditioning. Really convenient and could be used on metalwork, too – just needed a dry cloth to wipe it over afterwards. The spray trigger became a bit dribbly after a few weeks of use. Has the added bonus of keeping tack disinfected, giving peace of mind. Especially helpful in share situations where multiple people handle the equipment. 

Leovet leather foam tack cleaner
RRP
£7.00

Leovet leather foam tack cleaner

Petroleum-free. Cleans, nourishes and makes leather shine without any residue. 

£7 for 200ml

  • Cleans and conditions

A handy cleaner for everyday use or to have on the lorry for competitions. The light foam is easy to apply and you only need a few pumps and a quick wipe over with a sponge – great if you’re short on time. Did an amazing job cleaning up muddy yard boots and tack with built-up grease. Lifted dirt and left behind a natural shine without any residue. Small in size, but the bottle has stood up well to regular use. 

Gold Label Antifungal tack cleaner
RRP
£6.84

Gold Label Ultimate anti-fungal tack cleaner

Cleans and helps prevent mould and mildew growth.

£6.84 for 500ml

  • Conditioner sold separately

A really useful cleaner in an easy-to-use trigger spray bottle that removed dirt and grease well. The liquid is quite runny, so you don’t need to use a lot. It was effective in stopping mould growing on the bridles that aren’t in regular use. Would have liked to see more shine after use, so would recommend that a conditioner is used after this cleaner.

Mastacare soft soap
RRP
£6.49

Mastacare soft soap

Cleans and renews leather and provides protection from dirt build-up. 

£6.49 for 500g

  • Cleans and conditions

The tub was a good size and you could fit a sponge into it for easy application. The soap didn’t lather up too much when applied with a damp sponge, but it really needed working into the leather to get the best results. It did a great job of cleaning and suppling the leather. The shine remained for a few days and regular use has improved the overall condition of the leather. 

Nikwax leather cleaner
RRP
£5.75

Nikwax leather cleaner

Cleans while revitalising the leather for added water repellency.

£5.75 for 300ml

The spray bottle made it easy to apply. It was effective at cleaning and removing mud and dirt from tack, especially after a muddy hack. The spray was fairly effective, but the bottle could’ve been a bit more robust to withstand regular use on the yard and in the tack room. A great cleaner to apply before using a conditioner. 

Voltaire Design Hercules leather balsam
RRP
£15.00

Voltaire Design Hercules leather balsam

Natural ingredients to soften and protect without chemicals. 

£15 for 500ml

  • Conditioner sold separately

Soft creamy texture and a little goes a long way, so it’s lasted well. Once applied it leaves the leather soft and supple with a high shine and no greasy residue, which made it ideal for everyday use. It has a pleasant scent. Cost more than I’d normally spend on a product but the impressive results justified the price tag.

Stübben glycerin saddle soap
RRP
£12.90

Stübben glycerin saddle soap

A soap to cleanse leather without harming its fibre structure. 

£12.90 for 500g

  • Conditioner sold separately

Tub stood up well to yard life. The soap was easy to use and worked well into the leather. It smells lovely, absorbed easily and improved the condition of the leather, leaving it soft and supple.  Lifted off dirt and grease without leaving any residue and buffed up with a cloth for a good shine. You don’t need a lot of it for great effect, so the tub has lasted longer than my usual cleaner.

NAF Sheer Luxe Leather Cleanse & Condition
RRP
£10.99

NAF Sheer Luxe Leather Cleanse & Condition

Deep-cleaning, cleansing formula that leaves a luxurious finish. 

£10.99 for 500ml

  • Cleans and conditions

Easy to apply and smells amazing. It worked really well and has made the leatherwork noticeably softer, more supple and moisturised. Would’ve liked a more robust trigger. Gave a lovely natural finish. Also used on footwear with impressive long-lasting results. The shine lasted for days without any greasy residue, which made it really handy for last minute touch-ups, too.

Lincoln Heritage leather cream
RRP
£12.99

Lincoln Heritage leather cream

All-in-one leather treatment that cleans, polishes, waterproofs and protects.

£12.99 for 400g

  • Cleans and conditions
  • Conditioner sold separately

Easy to apply and the cleaning and conditioning qualities saved time. A little went a long way so found it lasted longer than some other products. Has a lovely smell. Worked well and had long-lasting results without leaving a residue. Saw a real improvement in suppleness of the leather as a result. It’s even been used it to bring back some neglected tack with brilliant results. 

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