Introduction
If you want your leather watch strap to last as long as possible, you must ensure you are properly maintaining it. This includes regularly cleaning your straps, especially after it has been exposed to water or dirt, to avoid any odour, discoloration of the leather or general wear and tear. But what is the best way to clean leather watch straps without damaging them?
Cleaning a leather watch strap is a relatively easy process when you know how. The key things to remember are making sure you prepare your strap first by removing it from your watch and getting rid of any dirt from it before then cleaning it with mild products and finally letting it air dry.
In this article, we will be give you a more detailed step by step guide to cleaning your leather watch strap, so read on to find out more.
Why Leather Straps Need Special Care
Leather is a porous material and can be easily damaged by water, chemicals or even too much direct sunlight. It is also possible to damage your leather watch strap by not cleaning it properly, or using unsuitable products to do so.
Common issues that people face when they don’t maintain their straps properly include:
- Exposure to dirt and sweat from daily wear.
- Smells caused by moisture and bacteria seeping into the leather.
- Fading or discolouration of the leather.
Step by Step Guide to Cleaning Leather Watch Straps
Step One: Remove the strap from your watch
You don't want to risk damaging the watch face when cleaning the strap, so always remove it beforehand. You can do this using a spring bar tool or with the quick release spring bars depending on the style of strap.
Step Two: Wipe down the strap
Using a dry microfiber cloth, remove any dirt and dust from the strap, taking care to not damage it.
Step Three: Clean with a damp cloth
Slightly dampen a cloth with warm water and wipe the strap.
Step Four: Use a Leather Cleaner or Mild Soap
Apply some leather cleaner or any non-detergent soap to the cloth, focussing on any areas that are stained. It is a good idea to test a spot first to ensure the leather does not react to the solution.
Step Five: Wipe Off Residue
Use a different damp cloth to wipe off any residue from the soap/cleaner, ensuring that no product is remaining on the leather.
Step Six: Allow the Strap to Air Dry
Lay the strap out somewhere that is cool, dry and away from direct sunlight. Never attempt to dry the strap with heat, such as from a hand dryer/hair dryer, as this can cause the leather to crack or shrink.
Conditioning the Leather Strap
It is important to condition leather watch straps to prevent them from drying out and becoming uncomfortable to wear. It is easy to apply conditioner to the strap, and it should be done every 3-6 months, or as needed:
- Apply a small amount to the strap evenly using a soft cloth.
- Allow a few minutes to absorb.
- Buff lightly with a clean and dry cloth.
Cleaning Tips for Different Types of Leather
Different types of leather require different methods of cleaning, but all should be cleaned regularly.
Full-grain leather straps should not need a lot of cleaning, and should not be scrubbed too hard to preserve the leather.
Suede straps are best cleaned with a suede brush or eraser so they can be cleaned without causing any damage to the texture of the leather. Water should never be used on suede as it will damage it.
For patent leather, use a damp cloth and lightly clean it, avoiding abrasive cleaners that will damage the glossy finish.
Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Leather Straps
If you want your leather watch straps to last for as long as possible, and remain looking smart, you should avoid making these common mistakes when cleaning and maintaining them:
- Avoid using too much water when you clean them, as excessive water/submerging them will cause damage to the leather.
- Do not use harsh cleaning products that could damage the material.
- Never allow the strap to dry in direct sunlight after you clean it, as this will damage the material and possibly cause discolouration or fading.
- Never neglect to clean your leather straps, otherwise they will not last as long as they could nor will they look smart.
Maintenance Tips to Keep Leather Straps Clean
As well as cleaning your straps regularly and properly to ensure their longevity, you can do some daily maintenance of them too to keep them lasting even longer and ensure their best condition.
These are as simple as wiping them down after you wear them to prevent too much dirt building up, having more than one strap that you can rotate with to allow time for straps to dry, and storing them in a cool and dry place.
Conclusion
This article has discussed the importance of keeping leather watch straps clean, and how to properly care for them. It is important to use small amounts of product and suitable cloths to clean the straps, and ensure that they dry in a dry place out of direct sunlight.
By regularly maintaining your leather watch strap, you will extend its lifespan and make cleaning it properly all the more easier. If you are looking for high quality, stylish and long-lasting leather watch straps, don't forget to check out The Thrifty Gentleman's replacement leather watch strap range.