Cleaning and caring for leather watch straps – The right care for every type of leather
A high-quality leather watch strap gives every watch an elegant and individual look. To ensure that it stays beautiful for a long time, the right care is crucial. But the cleaning methods vary depending on the type of leather . Here you can find out how to best clean and care for your leather watch strap .
1. General tips for leather care
- Leather bracelets should not come into contact with water too often.
- Avoid direct sunlight and heat as this can cause the leather to dry out.
- Regular care with special leather balms or creams ensures suppleness.
- Remove dirt immediately to prevent staining.
2. Cleaning according to leather type
ostrich leather
Ostrich leather is durable but sensitive to moisture. Clean it with a soft, slightly damp cloth and care for it with special leather grease, such as Saphir Médaille d'Or Leather Balm or Burgol Leather Grease .
Horween Shell Cordovan
This fine leather is extremely robust. Use a dry microfiber cloth to clean it and occasionally apply some leather wax, e.g. Collonil 1909 Supreme Wax Polish , to maintain the shine. If the strap begins to release grease after lying around for a long time, it can help to carefully heat the strap with a hair dryer on a low setting and rub it with a soft cloth.
suede and nubuck leather
Both types of leather are sensitive to water. Use a special suede brush to remove dust and dirt. Stains can be treated with a crepe eraser or a special cleaning spray, e.g. Collonil Nubuk + Velours Spray .
Waterproof cowhide
This leather is hard-wearing and can be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap solution. Then rub with a dry cloth. Care with beeswax leather balm or Effax leather balm keeps the leather supple.
lizard leather
Lizard leather is sensitive to moisture. Clean it with a soft, dry cloth and use a special leather oil such as Saphir Reptile Oil to maintain it.
alligator leather
Alligator leather is very durable but requires regular care. Use a soft brush to clean it and condition it with a thin layer of leather balm such as Burgol Leather Care Cream .
ray leather
This exotic leather is durable but sensitive to chemical cleaning agents. A damp cloth is usually sufficient for cleaning. A light leather oil such as Collonil Exotic Spray can be used for care.
goatskin
Goat leather is soft and elastic. Use a mild soap solution and a soft cloth to clean it. Then treat it with leather cream, e.g. Renapur Leather Balm .
calf leather
Calf leather is particularly supple. A damp microfiber cloth is sufficient for cleaning. For care, we recommend a leather lotion that provides moisture, such as Collonil 1909 Leather Lotion .
Peccary leather
Peccary leather is known for its fine structure and exceptional suppleness. A slightly damp cloth is sufficient for cleaning. Occasional care with Saphir Médaille d'Or Nappa Leather Balm keeps the material supple.
deerskin
Deerskin is particularly soft and flexible, but still durable. It can be cleaned with a damp cloth. A light leather cream, such as Collonil 1909 Leather Cream , is suitable for care .
3. Conclusion
A leather watch strap requires targeted and careful care - depending on the type of leather. With the right cleaning and care methods, your strap will not only stay beautiful and supple for a long time, but will also retain its high quality. Use a suitable leather care product regularly to increase its longevity and preserve the natural beauty of the material.
We know what is important from decades of experience: we have been making watch straps ourselves since 1952 and have the best know-how in this field. Therefore, we always recommend a strap from our own production. Because not every production is the same - only with the highest precision and specialist knowledge can the best quality be guaranteed.
