10/17/2026
PSA - WARNING!
I know you’ve all seen the posts for this magical leather cleaner called Luxgrove, and it looks too good to be true. I’m not going to say that it’s not a good conditioner. I haven’t tried it. But a friend of mine has. So we’re hanging out in the barn this morning, enjoying the cooler weather and the rain coming down on the roof. My friend was cleaning her beautiful Miguel rough out saddle when I walked by and noticed this little container of conditioner she was applying with a very familiar looking brush. I stopped. I knew what was in that plain white container without even seeing the label on the top. Of course, I flipped the lid over to confirm that she was using Lexgrove.
I’ve seen the reels claiming that this product is the best thing since sliced bread, while they swipe it over a dusty saddle to reveal a lustrous finish underneath. I cringe every time and here’s why.
1. Any good saddle maker or cleaner knows that you should never put oil or conditioner on a dirty saddle. You’ll ruin your leather by caking the dirt into all the crevices and on the surface. So the next time you ride, those areas are being worn down by the friction of the dirt that’s stuck on the leather. Always clean your leather thoroughly then let it dry for 24hrs. When it’s almost dry, you can oil it. Don’t over do it. Too much oil will break down the fibers. Let that dry, then condition. Then buff it to a shine.
2. According to the makers, you can use this product on all your leather goods. This is why my friend bought it for her fancy saddle. I quickly stopped her and asked if she had put this product on her saddle. She said yes. Had she cleaned it first? Yes. Thank goodness!
I wasn’t entirely sure until I googled the ingredients, but Luxgrove contains beeswax. Beeswax is not a bad thing. It’s great for helping waterproof your leather and keep it soft. BUT, if you put it on your rough out, it will make it sticky and slick it down, which is the opposite of what you want. I use a light coat of neatsfoot oil and then Lexol on all my rough out and suede parts of the saddle.
So in conclusion, after my minor panic attack over my friend’s saddle, I decided to share this warning with you guys. Please be aware of what you’re putting on your tack. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me.
Happy Saturday, y’all!
