The Hidden Danger of Saddle Soap: A History Lesson

To understand why saddle soap ruins baseball gloves, we must look at its origins. Developed in the 1870s for the U.S. Cavalry, saddle soap was engineered for a specific problem: military saddles made of vegetable-tanned leather were incredibly hard and uncomfortable for soldiers.

The solution was chemical. Saddle soap is highly alkaline (pH 9–11), while leather is naturally acidic (pH 4.5–5.0). When applied, the alkalinity neutralizes the leather's acidity. This reaction intentionally breaks down the tough internal fiber bundles, softening the rigid saddle leather to make it pliable.

While this aggressive softening was perfect for 19th-century saddles, it is disastrous for modern baseball gloves. Today's gloves are typically made from chrome-tanned leather, which is already engineered for performance. Applying saddle soap triggers that same fiber-destroying reaction, chemically degrading the leather's structural integrity and shortening the life of your mitt. Bottom line: Keep saddle soap on the saddle, not on your glove. Instead use the Mitt-Spit Glove Cleaner that the team at Advanced Leather Solution chemically engineered specifically for your mitt.