Ok, I am going to admit it, if the saddlery is not orderly and clean I am a little on the crazy side, ha ha :)
Whilst it is raining outside and in-between rides I do try to fit in extra cleaning duties!!
Things still seem to get dirty incredibly quickly round here as we are always super busy so I have a daily maintenance routine that goes like this:
Always wipe your bridle down after each ride with a soft towel to remove dirt and sweat. Also rinse and wipe off the bit at this time. Wipe down your girth to remove any sweat and store your saddle cloths so that they can fully dry (I can hear you all laughing!!). I always have a bucket of water with a sponge (not too wet), towel, leather conditioner on hand for when horses are finished being worked. It is a routine that works for me, therefore at the end of the day I am not cleaning gear like a mental case.
Once a week I remove the bit entirely from the bridle and clean it throughly. I use toothpaste, it doesn't have the toxins that metal cleaners do. I start off by soaking bits in a tub of hot water for five to ten minutes, then remove. Next I give them a scrub with toothpaste and a small brush, then a bit of a polish with a soft cloth. Doing so, it will leave your bit shiny and much more appealing to your horse than the tastes left behind by soap or metal polish.
The saddles get a decent wipe down and a lashing of Bates Leather Balsam at the end of the day or after each ride, depending on the time I have available.