How to Care for Leather Straps on the Reformer?
Classic leather straps, like those used by Joseph Pilates in his reformers, are a staple of equipment in many studios around the world. And it is in these places, where they are present, that special care must be taken to ensure the safety of the leather throughout the usage period of the reformer. If you have leather straps on your reformers, see how to easily avoid injuries caused by strap breakage and loss of income due to the reformer being taken out of service.
Monthly Checks
Every month, check the leather straps for cracks and tears. They most often occur around the holes for the cart or along the seams, where the material has a thinner cross-section and can dry out more easily. Pay attention to these photos to see a few examples.
Cleaning with Saddle Soap
Interestingly, you can treat leather straps similarly to a riding harness – clean them regularly with saddle soap. Saddle soap not only cleans the leather straps but also helps keep the material strong and flexible, preventing dangerous cracks. Unlike our horse friends, Pilates straps are not as exposed to weather conditions and sunlight, sweat, and dirt, so cleaning every six months is more than sufficient.
To clean the leather straps, first remove them from the cart. Take a microfiber cloth and dampen it with water, then wipe the straps to remove any dust or debris that might interfere with applying the saddle soap. Note that the most vulnerable parts are those that are not visible (under the cart, along the seams, and around the rivets), so make sure to pay the most attention to them.
Depending on the type of saddle soap you purchase, specific instructions may vary, but generally, you just need to apply some soap to a dry cloth and rub it into the leather. You need to rub enough for the saddle soap to soak into the leather and to ensure that no excess remains on the surface. If necessary, take another dry cloth to wipe away any residue.
Doing this roughly every six months will significantly extend the lifespan and improve the flexibility of the straps, as well as help detect any tears and damage that could cause them to break during use.
Happy renewing!
The text is a translation of the article https://thecore.pilates.com/how-to-care-for-leather-straps/
Author: Kaleen Canevari.
I have a degree in mechanical engineering and am an entrepreneur and certified Pilates instructor. My Pilates journey began at Balanced Body in 2014. I currently run The Fit Reformer, a company specializing in Pilates equipment servicing, and since 2020, I have launched a startup, Flexia, bringing innovation to the Pilates world. I also teach Pilates in Sacramento and travel the country on various Pilates-related projects.