A leather watch strap looks gorgeous and classy on your arm, but how do you keep it clean so it continues to look amazing for years to come? We can help you with that! In this article, we'll walk you through the simple process for cleaning, conditioning, and deodorizing your leather watch strap. We'll also throw in some helpful tips on how to prevent leather damage so your watch stays in tip-top shape. Scroll on down for our complete guide on cleaning a leather watch band.

1

Remove the strap.

  1. Use a spring bar tool or small screwdriver to remove the pins. Flip the watch face upside down and press the leather straps back so you can see the tiny spring bar pins holding the straps in place. Depending on what kind of pins your watch has, you'll either need to press down on the pin with the spring bar tool to dislodge it or simply unscrew the pin with a small flathead screwdriver.[1]
    • Put the pins and watch face in a safe place so you won’t lose them.
    • If the band can’t be removed, you can follow the rest of the steps! Just be super careful not to get soap, liquid, or conditioner on the watch face.
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    How do I get rid of bad odors coming from my leather watch strap?
    Mallika Sharma
    Mallika Sharma
    Certified Leather Care Technician
    Mallika Sharma is a Certified Leather Care Technician and the Founder of The Leather Laundry, a niche spa service for luxury leather gear in India. Mallika specializes in leather cleaning, coloring, repairing, and restoring for shoes, handbags, jackets, wallets, belts, and sofas. She holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Investment from the University of Edinburgh Business School. Mallika is a certified Professional Leather Care Technician and trained with the globally reputed leather care company, LTT in the United Kingdom.
    Mallika Sharma
    Certified Leather Care Technician
    Expert Answer
    First clean the strap with soap and warm water. Then, move on to using isopropyl alcohol if the smell is still there. Finally, use an industrial deodorizing agent if all else fails.
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About This Article

Mallika Sharma
Co-authored by:
Certified Leather Care Technician
This article was co-authored by Mallika Sharma and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Mallika Sharma is a Certified Leather Care Technician and the Founder of The Leather Laundry, a niche spa service for luxury leather gear in India. Mallika specializes in leather cleaning, coloring, repairing, and restoring for shoes, handbags, jackets, wallets, belts, and sofas. She holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Investment from the University of Edinburgh Business School. Mallika is a certified Professional Leather Care Technician and trained with the globally reputed leather care company, LTT in the United Kingdom. This article has been viewed 47,629 times.
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Co-authors: 5
Updated: August 17, 2022
Views: 47,629
Categories: Watches
Article SummaryX

A simple way to clean a leather watch strap is to use a cloth and some soapy water to remove the grime, then condition the leather to extend its life. Start by wiping the leather with a soft, cotton cloth to remove any buildup. Next, pat down the leather with a soft, damp cloth, put a bit of mild hand soap on the cloth, and clean both sides of the strap. Repeat this process a few times to remove all of the dirt and oil. Once clean, wipe the leather with a fresh cloth dampened with water until the soap residue is gone. After the strap dries, use a cloth to rub a small amount of leather conditioner onto the strap. To learn how to remove the strap from the watch, keep reading!

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