How to Clean a Leather Watch Strap

Co-authored by Mallika Sharma and Amber Crain

Last Updated: August 17, 2022 References

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.

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]
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- 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.

2

Wipe the strap with a dry microfiber cloth.

A simple wipe-down gently removes minor dirt and grime from the strap. Before getting any liquids involved, wipe the front and back of each strap with a dry microfiber cloth to remove grainy debris. Otherwise, the debris may scratch the leather surface when you’re scrubbing it later on.^{[2]
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- If your watch is really expensive, you may want to check the manufacturer's website for any special cleaning instructions (just in case).

3

Pat the leather with a damp microfiber cloth.

Wring out the wet cloth thoroughly so you don’t oversaturate the strap. Then, gently wipe down both sides of the leather straps to remove tough grime. Never submerge or spray water on your leather strap.^{[3]
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4

Put a pea-sized dot of a mild dish soap on the cloth.

Use circular motions to wash the strap with the soapy cloth. Start at one end of the strap, and slowly work your way down to the other end. The circular motions help to gently scrub away the oil and grime on the outside of the leather.^{[4]
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- Repeat this process 1-3 times to get rid of tough stains (like sweat stains).

5

Wipe off soap residue with a damp cloth.

Get a clean microfiber cloth, wet it, and wring it out thoroughly. Then, gently wipe the front and back sides of both straps to get rid of any soap residue lingering on the surface. Avoid leaving soap residue on the leather, since it can damage it.

6

Let the leather air-dry overnight.

Keep the leather strap detached from the watch face as it dries. Lay the strap on a flat surface to dry. Avoid putting the leather in direct sunlight, though, since this can cause the leather to fade, dry out, or even crack over time.^{[5]
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7

Apply leather conditioner.

The conditioner softens, deodorizes, and restores the leather. Use a cloth to rub a pea-sized amount of leather conditioner onto the strap using circular motions. Then, buff away any excess conditioner. Flip the strap over and repeat the process on the other side.^{[6]
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- You can also use saddle soap to condition the leather.

8

Reattach the watch face.

Let the strap air-dry overnight before reattaching it. Use the spring bar tool or flat head screwdriver to fasten the straps to the watch face. Avoid reattaching the strap or wearing the band while it's damp or wet with conditioner since this can stretch or damage the leather.

9

Clean and condition the strap every 1-2 weeks.

Wipe down the leather with a soft cloth after each wear. Then, wash it with soap and apply leather conditioner once a week. Regular cleaning and conditioning will extend the life of your strap, keep the leather looking great, and prevent odor buildup.^{[7]
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- Always clean the leather before applying conditioner.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I get rid of bad odors coming from my leather watch strap?

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.