How to Clean and Care for a Leather Watch Strap

A leather watch strap that is looked after can last for years and only get better with age. One that isn't will crack, stiffen and discolour much faster than most people think. Caring for it takes just a few minutes a month.

Everyday care

The most important thing is really what you avoid: don't leave the strap in direct sunlight or let it dry next to a radiator, and take it off before showering, swimming or a sweaty workout. Moisture and heat wear leather down more than everyday use does.

Cleaning off marks

Wipe off light dirt with a damp (not wet) soft cloth and let the strap dry at room temperature, never in direct heat. For more stubborn marks, a little leather balm or conditioner intended for watch straps is usually enough – apply it sparingly and buff it in with a clean cloth. Suede is different from smooth leather here – it doesn't handle moisture as well; see the care section in our guide to suede watch straps.

What to avoid

Avoid alcohol-based cleaners and wet wipes – they dry out leather quickly. Also avoid soaking the strap to "give it a proper clean"; that usually does more harm than good and can make the leather stiffen permanently.

Storage

If you won't be wearing the watch for a while, store it lying flat rather than hanging, so the strap doesn't develop an unnatural crease at the buckle. A buckle in poor condition also wears the leather strap itself – if your buckle is damaged or rusty, see our guide to replacing a watch strap buckle.

Conclusion

Keep it dry, keep it away from heat, and condition it when needed – it doesn't need to be more complicated than that. If you need a new strap in the meantime, you'll find the full range under leather watch straps.