And what to avoid when cleaning tanned leather, nubuck and alligator watch straps?
The cleaning method may vary, depending on the types of leather straps, from tanned leather to suede leather.
Probably every watch enthusiast has at least one leather strap. No wonder, as leather straps are really durable and comfortable to wear, not to mention indispensable for formal occasions. But some people find it difficult to take good care of them. In fact, the leather is a material that is very sensitive to other elements. If not properly cared for, its lifespan will be shortened or it may develop an unpleasant odour during the summer. That said, caring for it is not as problematic as you might imagine. In this article, we will show you methods to properly clean leather straps and the different types of leather straps.
Basic points on the care of leather straps
As we have mentioned, leather straps have quite a few environmental enemies, so we need to take special care of them. Here are a few points on basic leather care:
- Avoid liquids
Leather contains oil that keeps it durable and supple. But if the leather comes into contact with water or any other liquid, the oil inside will run off with the liquids when it evaporates. The leather will then lose its oil, become brittle and form cracks.
Some internet sources mention that isopropyl alcohol is effective in cleaning leather straps and removing ink stains. But, in fact, its stain removal effect is not really optimal and, at the same time, it damages the leather and erases the colour. - Do not expose the strap to any heat source.
Similarly, heat can dry out the leather, which can harden it and, in the long run, can also form cracks or tears. Not only that, if you expose your leather strap to direct sunlight over a period of time, its colour will fade due to harmful ultraviolet rays. - Do not break the leather strap.
Leather is a natural material, which means that it can break if pulled hard.
(Left) Original leather strap; (Centre) The top half is the original leather strap and the bottom half is soaked in alcohol; (Right) Entire strap soaked in alcohol. You can see that the strap on the right is completely dry and the colour has changed.
How to clean leather straps
Before continuing with the cleaning process, you must first remove the leather strap from the watch. Wedge the fork end of the spring bar tool between the strap and the lug, then you can press the spring bar down to remove the strap.
How to clean genuine or tanned leather straps
- To remove surface dirt, wipe the strap with a dry cloth. A microfibre or jewellery polishing cloth would be a good choice.
- Using a circular motion, gently wipe the strap with a soft damp cloth and a small amount of mild soap.
- If there is a particular dirty area, you can wet some soapy water on a soft bristle toothbrush and scrub that specific area with light pressure. Always remember to do a patch test on an inconspicuous area of the strap first before using it completely.
- Use another damp cloth and gently wipe the leather.
- Air dry the leather strap on a flat surface.
How to clean nubuck/ante leather straps
Due to the special texture of nubuck and suede straps, you should use a brush and eraser to remove stains from the straps.
- Dry brush the surface of the strap with a nubuck/suede brush to remove loose dirt and restore the hair on the piece.
- Rub the stained area with a piece of nubuck or suede stain eraser. If you don't have one, a normal pencil eraser will also work.
- Remove residues with a brush.
- Spray nubuck and suede cleaner evenly over the strap.
How to clean crocodile straps
- Dampen a soft cloth with lukewarm water and wipe the crocodile strap. If you want to give your strap a deeper clean, you can also clean it with a leather cleaner specifically for exotic leathers.
- Use another clean, dry cloth to clean the strap.
How often should I clean the leather strap?
If you want to maintain a routine of cleaning a leather strap that you use frequently, you can clean it once every two weeks. But you can vary your practice depending on your usage and the environment in which you live. Let's say you jog regularly with your watch. It would make sense to clean it more frequently as it absorbs a lot of sweat. Or maybe it's a watch for your desk job. In that case, you might spend more time without cleaning it.
But that's not all!
I guess your leather straps are now clean as a whistle. But if you want to maintain their longevity, it's best to maintain their durability and quality on a regular basis. You see, leather is a lot like our skin. After showering, it's best to apply some cream or moisturiser to replenish lost moisture. Leather is a lot like this: after cleaning, it has lost some of its natural oil, so it's good to apply something to replenish it. That's leather conditioning.
Hopefully these tips have helped you, otherwise, do not hesitate to contact us at.
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