Cleaning Non-Leather Equipment from The Chronicle of the Horse

The Chronicle of the Horse has 2 articles on cleaning your tack.  The first posted here is relative non-leather items.  The second covers cleaning leather.
Bits: Use bit wipes (flavored) for a quick wipe down after a ride. 1-2 xs a month put bits in a bucket of water with "Bit Therapy Effervscent Cleaner" (it fizzes) and leave in for 8 minutes. A polish paste like "Simichrome Polish" can be used on the rings (use bit wipes on the mouthpiece) and on your irons. Or use "Nevr-Dull", a wadding polish, on metal hardware. White Pads: use Arm & Hammer complete cleaner freshener/whitener powder. Remove the black residue at the bottom of the pad by putting Shout stain remover on the dampened pad and scrubbing with a toothbruch before washing. Suede requires suede specific cleaners that are sprayed on. Also use a brush or a "suede block" (eraser) to remove light grime with circular motions and then brush to restore the nap. Sheepskin: use Leather Thearapy Laundry Solution. Take a quart size Ziploc bag, make a little hole in it, put the leather through and secure the bag with a twist tie to protect the leather; wash the sheepskin by hand being careful not to get the leather wet. Elastic on a breastplate: let elastic portion sit in water, then give it a thorough cleaning later with Woolite. Be careful to avoid getting metal polish on the leather, and clean & condition the leather around the buckles regularly, by taking apart the tack.
Beyond Saddle Soap—Cleaning Non-Leather Equipment The Chronicle of the Horse

Taking Care Of Your Leather Tack from The Chronicle of the Horse

Here is a link to a very good article on how to clean your leather tack. 

Every time you use your saddle, leathers, etc., you should wipe it with a damp sponge covered with a cloth (e.g., car-waxing sponge), and clean it with castile soap or Effax once a week (or more often if riding in the muck). 

Suggested products --
Cleaner: German Bienenwachs Lederpflege-Crème
Cleaner: Effax or
Oakwood for conditioning has a waterproofer
Conditioner:  Passier Lederbalsam
In California, Horseman's One-Step is a good cleaner/conditioner in that arid climate.
For dried out leather: use a 2 inch paint brush and either Effax or tanners oil; may need 3-4 coats
Taking Care Of Your Tack Doesn't Have To Be Tough The Chronicle of the Horse

For Your Eyes Only, Part II: California Design « Unframed The LACMA Blog

The link below shows a couple of very cleverly designed furniture pieces which are part of the collection of LACMA.

One piece is a mid-century desk (Kem Weber) has negative space on the "Back" side as display shelves so that it is intended to face the room rather than be placed against a wall.

An intriguing choice for a business office where clients and collaborators are met. Imagine creating a diorama indicative of your practice or simply placing objects and books that you are influenced by and which represent your thinking.

The other item is a wall-mounted display cabinet (John Kapel) with darkly stained, uniquely carved doors that mimick wood grain patterns in 3d. 
               
When opened, it reveals glass shelves in front of a back panel lined with colorful vertically arranged amoebic felt shapes of hot pink, acid yellow, gold, olive and an orangey red. I love the curatorial staff's suggestion: "When filled with glasses and liquor bottles, it would have added a lively spirit to any cocktail party!"

 For Your Eyes Only, Part II: California Design « Unframed The LACMA Blog