Even Cowboys Use Clothespins (and Have Leather Cleaning Tips)

Self-sufficient cowboys out on the range in summer often carry a line and clothespins so they can was a few “necessaries” without having to go back to the ranch or into town. What they have to clean the most carefully are their leather gloves. Here’s some tips on cleaning leather from old cowboy lore found in The Clothesline, by Irene Rawlings et al.

Leather gloves are very important in a cowboy’s life to protect his hands from the harsh cold winters ridding fences and from rope burns during branding time in the spring.

When cowboys have been out in the rainstorm and their gloves have gotten wet, they hang them out to dry on a lead rope in the shelter of the back of a horse trailer. When the gloves are damp dry, they can be stretched back into shape by simply putting them on and going back to work.

To clean white or tan gloves, put them on your hands and douse in vodka. Remove gloves and they will dry quickly. Put in the sun to remove the vodka odor by hanging on a clothesline with, yes, clothespins. Wash your hands thoroughly.

To clean dark leather, mix 1 cup (pure) linseed oil with 1 cup white vinegar. Wipe onto dirty leather using a clean cloth. Let stand for a few minutes. Wipe off and polish with a clean soft cloth.

To keep leather soft, rub with a soft cloth dampened in Castor oil.

Adapted from The Clothesline, by Irene Rawlings and Andrea Vansteenhouse (Gibbs Smith, Publisher, 2002).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Robert O.

12:46AM PDT on Jul 16, 2011

How interesting, thanks Annie.

send a green star

ii q.

5:58PM PDT on Jun 20, 2011

Vodka??? Intersting!!!

TY

KS G.

12:55AM PST on Dec 1, 2010

Thanks for the article.

SuS NoMail Plez P.

5:44PM PDT on May 18, 2010

TY Annie. I don't own fur or leather, but know people who have different philosophies than myself. I'm sure they will appreciate these tips.

Janice P.

1:18PM PDT on May 15, 2010

Thanks for the tip aout using castor oil for keeping leather soft. I did not know that.

Yolanda C.

2:38AM PDT on Oct 20, 2009

Due to his health failing and not being able to come see about the ranch as often, he sold it. But even after that, he continued to call my Papa and Mama at their own farm where we moved to. And he still sent gifts every year. He was not only a bossman but a friend and I trust what he said about the Bush family, and they might not be too good in the politics game but he always talked nicely and kindly of them as just people in general.

2:35AM PDT on Oct 20, 2009

Actually, Bush's family does own ranch property there in Texas. My Mama and Papa and I lived on the Lee Campbell Ranch, half of which was in Comanche County and the other half in Erath County. My Papa's "bossman" as we called him, was Mr. Lee Campbell from Midland, Texas which is West Texas and he owned another ranch there in Kermit, Texas where his oil rigs where. Mr. Campbell had oil wells, which is how he came to be a millionaire, but he also raised Hereford cattle for breeding stock, which is what our ranch was for. He personally knew the Bush family and spoke of them to us way before either of them were ever president. And they may not be hardened farmers and ranchers like my dear late Papa, but they do know much more than the typical cowboy wannabes. I'm not endorsing his presidency here or agreeing with any of his policies, I'm merely pointing out that he's not entirely a pretend cowboy. Their family is actively involved in the running of their ranch as well, just as our beloved& late Mr. Lee Campbell was.They may be millionaires but that doesn't mean they don't know the "ropes" of ranching. I also want to say Mr.Campbell was the best "bossman" that a family could ever want.We lived an upper middle class lifestyle money wise from Papa's farming job, and lived in an upper class home free of rent and bills other than phone because of Mr.Campbell's generosity.He also sent Christmas&Thanksgiving gifts to all the staff on the ranch yearly,even after selling due to

Bob R.

6:00AM PDT on Oct 12, 2008

Visit http://www.mattvac.co.uk/leathercleaning.htm for more leather cleaning tips

Ronnie B.

3:25AM PDT on Aug 21, 2008

now Bush isnt the only one who can pretend to be a cowboy!

Marya G.

9:39PM PDT on Aug 19, 2008

Great tip! Can't wait to try!