In that case we do need to be more careful around the watch case and be careful not to get any conditioner in the buttons or the crown. There are 25 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. These tips will help you get a clean leather watch strap. That means you may end up with chlorine, sweat, and mud on your watch strap. Just as a leather cleaner/conditioner should be, this product smells invigorating as it pampers your leather with only the best ingredients. Wipe down any excess spray with a clean microfiber cloth. Over time the leather can lose its natural oils, causing it to dry out. Be careful to not get water on the band when washing your hands. Depending on the attachment type of the strap, different steps must be taken to detach it: We can still clean and condition the strap if it can not be removed from the watch. No matter if you’re looking for a gift for a loved one or a new accessory for yourself, leather’s beauty and warmth can fit … Remove the watch from your wrist when you go to sleep and while bathing so that the leather can breathe. To clean your leather watch strap, follow these steps: Remove the strap from your watch and use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe off both sides. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This step can be repeated several times until the strap is clean. And just like our skin, a leather watch band needs to air out and breathe regularly. I am a big fan of leather watch straps. By using our site, you agree to our. Once clean, wipe the leather with a fresh cloth dampened with water until the soap residue is gone. Once the straps are dry, you can condition the leather before attaching the straps to the case of the watch. Take care when applying sun screen, perfume, skin creams or other cosmetics around the leather watch strap. They are perfect for both formal and casual wear. Apply a tiny dab of conditioner to the leather strap and work it in with a microfiber cloth and gentle, circular movements. Learn more... Leather bands on watches are luxurious to wear. Unlike other watch bands, leather requires general maintenance to retain a soft texture and a quality shine. It is a fairly straightforward process however: As with the conditioning, I recommend to just follow the instructions of the product. Keep cosmetics away from the strap. You can apply a leather conditioner to the watch band to keep it supple and to prevent cracking of the leather. Detach the leather watch strap from the watch. Light colored leather is a popular choice for furniture, jackets, purses, and shoes. Switching to a clean section of the cloth and adding some new soap will help in getting all the dirt and grime off. Your email address will not be published. Clean mildewed leather with a cloth dampened in a solution of one-cup denatured alcohol and one-cup water, then cleanse with soapy water. This tool can be purchased at a local hardware store, or online with large retailers. Wait for the leather to absorb the waterproof spray. These spots can also be removed by wiping them with a dry cloth. That way, the majority of the sweat will be absorbed before it gets to the watch band. Create a 50-50 distilled water and white vinegar mixture in a bowl. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. CleverCreations.eu is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.it, Amazon.es and affiliated sites. Repeat this process 1 to 3 times for each side of both straps until you can no longer see any dirt residue on it. Choosing a watch with a nylon strap is a good idea if you plan to wear the watch on a daily basis. The warm and moist leather is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, and over time a funky smell develops. Repeat the process for each side of both leather straps. Don't neglect the watch band just because it doesn't tell the time. Allow the lip balm to soak in for a few hours or overnight. A leather watch strap is a natural product that requires care and attention to preserve its genuine features, especially in Summer since heat, salt water and sweat could deteriorate it without a few and essential tricks. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. What are the advantages of leather watch straps? % of people told us that this article helped them. Once dry, buff it with a soft cloth. The baking soda will naturally absorb any moisture or odors the leather retained. Updated On: September 28, 2017. These can be purchased from a local jewelry or department store. Personally I do not have any experience with this. Now you know more about softening leather, you’re ready to augment your wardrobe and home with products made from this durable material. Leather is in many ways similar to our skin. This will help protect the watch case and its components while we clean the strap. Different watches may require different methods to remove the band, and some bands might not be able to be removed at all. If you get into the habit of taking your watch off at night, this will lengthen the times between cleanings. Simply insert the watch strap into a sock or a pocket in your jeans, and toss in the washing machine. Afterward, use a damp towel with a little soap to clean the leather. But it is also prone to getting stained. Make sure to use cold water, and do not put in the dryer (air dry on a flat surface like above). It's sole purpose is to help protect your leather watch strap from wear. Although light colored leather is an excellent style choice, it can be difficult to maintain. Simply rub the beeswax onto the watch strap with a soft, lint-free cloth. How to clean leather Watch Straps. Apple Watch sports bands are great as you can wear them when exercising, whether you’re swimming, working out at the gym or running. Unfinished leather can stain very easily if oversaturated. Wipe the solution over your leather until it is damp. Sunlight can cause the leather to fade, dry out, and even crack over time. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Apply the waterproof spray to both sides of the watch band. Use a new cloth to remove any excess conditioner from the leather. The conditioner also helps by providing extra protection against moisture, making the leather less vulnerable. Here is how to bring a shine back to a leather watch band with a good cleaning. Your experience will be able to guide you after a while. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Use a spring bar tool to remove the pins holding the leather band in place. Use a specialized leather cleaner or consult a leather care expert … In general, any time there is a lot of sweat or moisture, the leather should be cleaned more often to prevent sweat stains and smells from showing up. Instead of a mild hand soap, you can add a small amount of baking soda to the water, or equal parts of distilled white vinegar. If you prefer to keep wearing the watch when playing sports (for example, to track your heart rate or your location using GPS), then it is a good idea to wear a sweat absorbing wristband. As with the How To Clean Your Watch post, the following is meant to steer most people in the right direction. For really stubborn odors, place your watch band in a plastic bag with approximately 1 tbsp (8.5 g) of baking soda. If you are allergic to most leather conditioners, or are worried that the chemicals may irritate your skin, simply apply a thin layer of a high-quality lip balm to the underside of the band if it becomes dry. Aside from creating a medium for the growth of bacteria and smells, exposure to moisture can also alter the shape and color of a leather watch band. However, it’s important to go about cleaning leather in the right way to keep it looking good and preventing any damage. Use Leather Protector Spray. A Q-tip is also a good option. References. Be mindful of any allergic reactions you may have from applying leather lotions or conditioners to your watch band. Limit exposure to both sun and heat. You can even condition the leather band in only a few more steps and give your watch band extra protection and care. Use the conditioner to buff the leather once a week or once a month depending on how often you wear the watch. How to clean a dirty leather watch band. Because of this, we need to periodically clean our leather watch band and avoid the appearance of the dreaded cheese smell. Instead of using a cotton cloth, you can wipe the leather with a microfiber jewelry cloth as well. Part of caring for your watch includes cleaning the leather band. This is not required, but conditioning the leather will add a layer of protection from water and sweat, which is always useful. Most straps use spring bar pins. This helps protect the watch case and dial. You can find cool projects, repair guides and other tutorials. Before cleaning the leather band, it can be useful to check the watch manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions for cleaning. Leather has been a material choice for clothing, shoes, and accessories for thousands of years, revered for its classic style that is well-suited for formal occasions, as well as casual wear. Next, pat down the leather with a soft, damp cloth, put a bit of mild hand soap on the cloth, and clean both sides of the strap. Once it is in place, release the button and check that the strap is secure. Watch bands that are worn in hot and/or humid climates on the other hand (pun intended) need cleaning more frequently. This is not required, but conditioning the leather will add a layer of protection to it. Do not use any leather lotions or conditioners that are intended for furniture. The deep cleaning intervals for the website have a waterproof or wax seal lets sweat and moisture,. Wristclean 's leather strap care routine that 's working, I recommend following the instructions of the cheese... Avoid the appearance of the watch strap at home out, and how long to wait for other. 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