Alright, so, today I’m gonna walk you through how I clean my watch straps. It’s not rocket science, but doing it right can really make a difference in how long they last and how good they look. Plus, nobody wants a stinky, grimy watch strap, right?
First things first, gather your supplies. I usually grab a small bowl, some warm (not hot!) water, a little bit of mild soap – like dish soap or hand soap, nothing too harsh. An old toothbrush is key, and a soft cloth for drying. And, of course, the watch strap itself!
Now, detach the strap from the watch. I mean, obviously, you don’t want to get the watch itself all wet and soapy. Most straps are pretty easy to remove, either with a little spring bar tool or sometimes you can even just use your fingernail if you’re careful. Just be gentle, you don’t want to scratch anything.
Next up, give the strap a good soak. Just dunk it in the warm, soapy water for a few minutes. This helps to loosen up any dirt and grime that’s caked on there. I usually let it sit for like, 5-10 minutes, depending on how gross it is.
Okay, the fun part: scrubbing! Dip the toothbrush in the soapy water and gently scrub the strap. Pay extra attention to any areas that are particularly dirty, like around the buckle or where the strap bends. Don’t scrub too hard, though, you don’t want to damage the material. I usually just go in small circular motions and try to get into all the nooks and crannies.
After you’ve scrubbed it good, rinse the strap thoroughly under clean, running water. Make sure you get all the soap off, otherwise it can leave a residue and make the strap feel sticky or stiff. I usually rinse it for a good minute or two, just to be sure.
Now, time to dry. Use a soft cloth to gently pat the strap dry. Don’t rub it too hard, just blot it. Then, I usually let it air dry completely before reattaching it to the watch. You can lay it flat on a towel or hang it up somewhere. Just make sure it’s completely dry before you wear it, otherwise it can get all mildewy and gross.
For leather straps, it’s a little different. I usually skip the soaking part and just use a damp cloth with a little bit of leather cleaner. Then I condition it with some leather conditioner after it’s dry. Keeps it nice and supple.
And that’s pretty much it! Clean watch strap, happy watch. I try to do this every couple of weeks, or more often if I’ve been sweating a lot or doing something particularly dirty. It’s a simple thing, but it can really make a difference.
- Gather supplies: Bowl, water, soap, toothbrush, cloth
- Detach strap
- Soak strap
- Scrub strap
- Rinse strap
- Dry strap
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments.
