It’s very important to clean your leather watch strap. That’s why we have included some advice below to help you preserve the condition of your leather strap as long as possible.

To prevent your watch strap from deteriorating a few months after purchase, keep a few simple rules in mind. During the course of the day, our wrist is exposed to sweat, dirt or salt, which can cause unpleasant odours and damage. So remember not to get the strap wet (especially by sea water as salt can cause leather to crack or discolour). It’s best to take the device off your hand. Once your leather strap gets wet, keep it away from the direct heat source. Placing the leather strap on a heated surface such as a radiator or drying it out with a hairdryer can also cause it to crack. Therefore, it’s best to let it dry at room temperature. Place the leather strap in a cool area, out of direct sunlight and allow it enough time to naturally dry out. Of course, it goes without saying that high-quality leather straps are less likely to get damaged.

When the strap becomes deformed after a certain period of use, it shouldn’t be forcefully straightened as this can cause damage.

Special care must be taken when cleaning leather watch straps. You’ll need a microfibre cloth (to wipe off moisture and dirt) and hard soap or a cleaning paste. Unpleasant odours and dirt on the inside of the strap will tell you when to use them. You can make a cleaning paste by mixing a teaspoon of water with the same amount of baking soda (1:1 ratio). Apply the paste on the leather strap and wait for about an hour. After that, use a cloth to remove the remaining mixture. Wait until the strap dries completely and then polish it. If you use soap, just apply the foam from the soap on the strap. Don’t rub it too hard.

Several times a year, we can use leather impregnation sprays to prevent leather from cracking. They can be replaced by olive oil, although the effect will be less spectacular. After applying the liquid, wait until it is absorbed by the strap and then wipe it dry. This treatment should be repeated every 2-3 months.

The treatments described above require some time and they need to be done regularly. If you aren’t well-organised, you can consider changing your strap, at least for the summer when your wrist is exposed to greater sweating. Steel bracelets and rubber straps do well in high temperatures and they can be easily cleaned. Both are resistant to sweat, water and sun. That’s why watches on steel bracelets and rubber straps can be a great alternative for hot summer. Keep in mind that high-quality leather straps usually don’t need to be replaced. All you need to do to preserve their condition is to clean them on a regular basis.

Visit our online shopping website, Watchard.com, and see lots of casual and elegant watches on high-quality straps. In our store you can also buy straps and bracelets separately - so you can quickly change the appearance of your watch. Enjoy your shopping!