If you’ve just purchased a leather watch strap, or are starting to wear yours more frequently, you may notice that they are a bit… well, absorbent. Regardless of how diligent you are about not wearing your leather watch strap during workouts or to places where it might get wet, over time there will be some wear and tear. The main problem associated with wear and tear in leather isn’t the degradation of the leather itself—it’s the smell.
Yes, that’s right. Even your expensive leather watch strap will eventually succumb to dirt, sweat, and daily life. This happens much faster when you wear your watch to the gym or in areas with high temperatures, but it will happen to everyone at one point or another. After a while, you may notice an odor coming from your wrist—especially during hot summer months. But rather than switching to nylon or rubber, there are a few measures you can take to prevent your leather watch strap from smelling. Even your 18mm leather watch straps, 20mm leather watch straps, 22mm leather watch straps, 24mm leather watch straps and 26mm leather watch straps are able to avoid smelling with our handy tips below.
Prevention & Ways To Keep Your Leather Clean
The first and most effective way to prevent any unsavory smells is to avoid wearing your leather watch strap during any strenuous activity. Since leather is porous, it will absorb any liquid that it encounters, including sweat from a tough workout. Rather than telling yourself that you’re going to clean your leather strap after a workout, change out your band for a rubber one for workouts instead. This will not only help prevent your leather strap from smelling, it will also prolong the lifespan of the leather and keep it looking good as new. If you’re visiting somewhere tropical or know you’re going to be spending a lot of time outside on a particularly hot day, take the same precautions and wear a rubber strap to avoid excess sweat absorbing into your leather.
Cleaning Tips For Your Leather
Prevention is the best way to prevent odor, but if it happens, don’t worry. A simple cleaning will do the trick. First, wipe your band with a soft, dry cloth to remove any residue. Next, dampen the cloth, add a small amount of leather-safe detergent or shampoo, and clean your leather watch strap using small circular motions. To rinse, avoid putting your strap directly under water. Instead, dampen a clean part of the cloth and wipe off any residue. Let your leather watch strap dry, add some conditioner, and it’ll be as good as new. Get more cleaning tips here. (link to how to care for your leather watch strap)
If you’re considering purchasing your first leather watch strap, don’t let the thought of potential odors deter you. Leather watch straps offer a beautiful accent to your wrist, are one of the most comfortable bands you can wear, and will last a lifetime when properly cared for. If you’re ready to make the switch to leather, head over to DaLuca Straps and browse our leather care selections today. We have everything you need when looking for a new watch strap and offer personalized customization on every order. If you have any questions during your search, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us! We’d be happy to help answer any questions you might have.
Below is a video on how to clean a watch strap and apply Venetian Cream to it: