One Cleaner, So Many Uses: 5 Star Saddle Pad & Tack Cleaner
Wool naturally resists buildup, but even the best pads need regular care to stay fresh, breathable, and performing at their best. That’s why we developed the 5 Star Saddle Pad Cleaner & Soak—a powerful, pH-balanced, horse-safe formula that lifts dirt, sweat, and bacteria without compromising the integrity of natural fibers.
But this cleaner isn’t just for saddle pads. It’s a multi-purpose essential for every tack room, grooming station, and trailer.
Safe for All 5 Star Pads
Specially formulated to protect 100% pure wool, this cleaner is gentle enough for everyday use. It removes sweat and grime while preserving the wool’s natural structure, breathability, and wicking ability. It’s also safe for use on fleece-lined pads, helping you clean without matting or drying out the fleece.
Gentle on Mohair
5 Star Saddle Pad & Tack Cleaner removes sweat and dirt buildup without stripping natural oils or leaving mohair fibers stiff. It helps extend the life and feel of delicate, natural materials.
Safe for Tack and Gear
The 5 Star Cleaner & Soak is also safe to use on:
- Sport boots and Bell boots
- Leather tack such as bridles, halters, reins, and girths
- Show blankets, coolers, fly sheets, and more
It delivers a deep clean without leaving residue behind, helping you keep all your gear looking and performing like new.
A Surprising Bonus: Bug Removal for Vehicles
This cleaner isn’t just useful in the barn, it’s also excellent at removing bugs from windshields, bumpers, grills, and trailers. Spray it on, let it sit briefly, and rinse or wipe away. It’s a favorite trick among 5 Star customers!
How to Care for Your Pad
Daily Maintenance
As your horse sheds winter hair, buildup can accumulate on the underside of your 5 Star Pad. This layer of hair, if not removed regularly, will begin to block airflow and reduce the wool’s ability to wick away sweat.
To prevent this:
Use a 5 Star sponge or rubber curry comb before each ride to remove hair and debris.
A shop vacuum is also effective for removing deeper grime or compacted hair.
When to Wash:
Wash your pad when areas become hard or crusty and brushing no longer restores flexibility. That stiffness indicates it’s time for a deep clean.
How to Wash Your 5 Star Pad Properly:
Water Temperature: Use lukewarm water (86°F / 30°C) only. Hot water can damage the wool’s elasticity.
Cleaner: Always use a neutral pH (pH 7) product like 5 Star Saddle Pad & Tack Cleaner. Never use acidic soaps, which can harm natural fibers.
Washing Process:
Rinse your pad at an angle using a hose, spraying from the center outward. Never spray directly into the pad.
Apply 5 Star Saddle Pad & Tack Cleaner generously.
Let the cleaner sit for 15–20 minutes to break down buildup.
Rinse thoroughly, rotating the pad to allow dirty water to flow out toward the edges. Any soap residue left inside the pad can irritate your horse’s skin.
Soaking Process:
For heavily soiled pads, a full overnight soak is the most effective way to deep clean and restore performance. Fill a clean tub with lukewarm water and add 6–8 oz of 5 Star Saddle Pad & Tack Cleaner. Fully submerge the pad and allow it to soak for up to 24 hours.
Extended soaking gives the cleaner’s natural enzyme and microbial action time to penetrate deep into the wool fibers, breaking down embedded sweat, dirt, and bacteria. This process helps restore the wool’s natural softness, flexibility, and wicking ability, bringing your pad back to peak condition.
After soaking, rinse the pad thoroughly until the water runs clear, rotating the pad to ensure all residue is removed.
Drying and Storing Tips
Hang to dry in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Drying may take a few days.
Never store your pad under another pad or saddle. Wool needs airflow to maintain its structure and freshness.
Made with eco-conscious ingredients, the 5 Star Saddle Pad & Tack Cleaner is environmentally friendly and completely safe for both humans and animals, giving you peace of mind with every use. From wool and fleece to mohair, leather, and blankets, the 5 Star Saddle Pad Cleaner & Soak is designed to clean and protect the equipment you rely on every day – safely, effectively, and naturally.
Only from 5 Star.
One bottle. Countless uses. Trusted by riders who care about quality.
