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A dot of water is ok. What we try to do here is to help new guys and, generally speaking , water and leather do not mix. I do not want to give the impression that it is ok to scrub clean a strop with...

GOOP is a automotive hand cleaner without any abrasives added. You could also use neats foot oil or any number of other oils/emulsifiers.
Do not use water.

Just because it has started to turn black or gray does not mean it needs to be completely removed. What I have done is to use some GOOP, 1-2 drops at most, and smear it around until the black/grey is...