How to clean watch leather straps at home?

Cleaning the leather strap is essential for those who are using a leather strap watch. This will help clean the wire better, increase its lifespan as well as minimize hand odor. However, regular and thorough cleaning is not necessarily good, but depending on the type of sweat, frequency of use, wire color and material, etc. Julius helps you find the right cleaning method.

5 steps to clean the smooth leather strap

Preparation: Clean water, soft cloth, white vinegar, soap, cotton wool and if available, you can prepare more olive oil, mineral oil, beeswax.

• Step 1: Use a soft cloth to wipe the entire watch strap, front, back and along the stitches to remove stains.
• Step 2: Mix white vinegar with water in the ratio 1:3. Use a clean cloth soaked in vinegar, rub it on the wire surface (can be replaced with a cotton swab to solve difficult stains).
• Step 3: Mix a little soap with filtered water into a dilute solution. Continue to use a clean cloth soaked in the solution, gently rub the wire surface to clean the stain. For stains that are difficult to remove, we should use a cotton swab.
• Step 4: Use cotton wool to absorb water, remove stains, vinegar, soap left on the strap. Place the cleaned wire in a well-ventilated place and let it dry naturally.
• Step 5: Use a fine cloth to spread a thin layer of mineral oil (olive oil or beeswax) on the surface of the strap. In this way, it will be shiny and smoother.

How to clean suede watch straps

• Step 1: Use a soft brush soaked in a little clean water, then gently rub the strap surface to remove stains and dirt.
• Step 2: Use eraser to remove stains, note that you should limit vinegar, soap, etc. to come into direct contact with the suede.
• Step 3: After cleaning the watch strap, let it dry naturally.

Notes on cleaning watch straps

• Limit the situation of getting water on the strap because the leather strap holds water and does not dry immediately. If such a situation is left for a long time, the leather strap will be wet and have an unpleasant odor in hot weather.
• Do not try to dry the strap quickly because doing this for a long time will cause the strap to become brittle and break.
• Use cotton wool to absorb water and let it dry naturally in a well-ventilated area.
• Be careful while cleaning the leather watch strap.
• When cleaning the leather watch strap, you should avoid letting water get into the dial.
• Do not use stiff brushes because they will cause the leather strap to become lint, scratch the wire.
• In case the strap is too old, it is recommended to replace the leather watch strap with a new one to ensure the aesthetics and value for the wearer.

How to deodorize watch straps very simply at home

The bad smell on the watch makes the wearer lose confidence, especially for those whose hands are often sweaty. The main reason is due to the material of the strap, the method of using and cleaning the watch.

Please refer to the cleaning method below:

• Step 1: Clean the leather strap carefully according to the instructions above.
• Step 2: Buy desiccant packs on e-commerce sites.
• Step 3: Put the desiccant pack with the watch in an airtight environment for about 5 days (if possible, use an ozone deodorizer).

How to keep the leather watch strap from getting smelly

• After cleaning, you should note the following 5 basic things to limit the return of odors:
• Wipe clean every day with a soft cloth after rain or if the cord feels dirty.
• Use a cotton ball to absorb the water if the cord gets wet. For suede, cotton wool should not be used.
• Do not wear the watch too tightly, which will lead to air tightness and lack of ventilation. Should be removed before going to bed to let the watch “rest”.
• Last and most importantly, minimize letting the leather strap get in the water due to the unique properties of this material.

Above are all the ways to clean leather watch straps for smooth and suede types. Normally, the durability of leather straps is 1-2 years, so you need to put in a little effort, it only takes 5-7 minutes per month to have a clean and shiny watch like new.

For specific advice, please contact JULIUS via thejulius.my!