Try to keep neatsfoot away from the stitching though, it can rot it if you use it often.
Over what time scale did you use it before it rotted the stitching? I have been using it for a lot of years and have not had the problem you mention despite being non to careful in its application.A recent ad
here says its safe on stitching or perhaps they have changed the formula from that which you used?
Edit: Just reading up on dubbin
here and see that its not the leather dressing that rots the stitches but the dirt that sticks to the excess.
smud6ie