A wristwatch is a delicate thing. In order for them to serve you faithfully, they need care. The body and internal parts, of course, should only be trusted by specialists from authorized services. But you can easily handle cleaning a bracelet or strap yourself. We tell you how to properly clean and care for all types of straps and bracelets so that your watch always looks presentable.
Metal bracelet
In principle, the bracelet, as well as the case, will definitely be cleaned when you bring the watch to a service workshop for regular repairs. But even during breaks it’s a good idea to keep it in hygienic condition. When cleaning any types of bracelets and straps, it is strongly recommended that you first disconnect them from the case - at least to remove dirt from the joint. But, if for some reason this cannot be done (for example, there are no suitable tools), then you can clean the bracelet directly on the case. Just make sure that the watch is water resistant to at least 50 meters.
As a cleaning agent for metal products, use any soap solution - for example, dishwashing detergent or hand soap diluted with warm water. The less alkalis and other active ingredients in the solution, the safer it is for the metal. Dip the steel bracelet into a bowl of warm, soapy water, and then carefully remove any dirt that has accumulated between the links using a cotton swab, brush or soft toothbrush.
After this, the bracelet is thoroughly wiped dry with a soft flannel cloth or microfiber cloth. If the bracelet is made of gold or contains gold elements, it is better not to use a brush to avoid leaving scratches. In this case, the safest cleaning tool is the pads of your own fingers, with which you should try to carefully clean the dirt from the gold in soapy water, and then wipe it again with a soft cloth. But in general, it is better to immediately take a gold bracelet to a workshop, where it will be cleaned with ultrasound.
Owners of bracelet watches should remember two important rules for caring for them. If you often wear your watch in the sea or pool, you should rinse it with water and wipe it at least once a week to remove salt and chemicals. And if you take off your watch and put it on the nightstand with the dial facing up, it would be a good idea to put a soft cloth under the back cover so that the case and bracelet do not scratch each other.
Leather belt
Here it is very important to know whether the leather strap has a water-repellent treatment. If there is one, you can clean it in much the same way as a metal bracelet. First, separate the strap from the case and thoroughly clean the lugs and sides of the case with a cotton swab. Then take a paper or microfiber cloth, drop a little soap solution on it and apply it with light horizontal movements on both sides of the strap. Then take a new napkin, moisten it a little in clean water and carefully remove the soap from the surface of the skin. After water procedures, it is not recommended to immediately attach the strap and put on the watch; you should let it dry thoroughly in a completely straightened position for several hours.
If the strap is not protected from moisture, then you should not use soapy water, but a drop of transparent gel for leather clothes or shoes. The algorithm of action is the same: drop a drop onto a napkin and gently move it along the strap, removing dirt. Since shoe products contain a water-repellent component, this procedure will provide additional protection to the strap. Once finished, we also recommend leaving the watch alone until it dries completely.
Soapy water is suitable mainly for smooth straps and calfskin; for other types of leather (crocodile, snake, ostrich and other exotic species) it is better to use a special gel, since soap can get into the cracks of the pattern.
The optimal product for leather straps is beeswax and various lotions based on it - they provide not only cleaning, but also care.
Rubber strap
Rubber and silicone straps are used primarily in sports and diving watches. Therefore, they get dirty the most, but they are also the most durable in terms of cleaning. Some desperate owners remove stubborn dirt from rubber bracelets with white spirit and other solvents and are quite happy with the result, although it is not at all necessary to act so extreme.
Basically, dirt and sweat get clogged into the perforated holes of the rubber. To remove them from there, you can use a brush and regular toothpaste. You need to thoroughly clean the strap with paste on both sides, and then rinse it off with clean water and wipe dry with microfiber.
If the dirt is deeply ingrained, you can use soda instead of toothpaste. To do this, you need to dilute the powder with water to form a thick paste again, apply it with a brush to the contaminated areas, and then carefully rinse off. Computer keyboard cleaning liquid is also a good choice as a cleaner for rubber, caoutchouc and silicone.
Those who wear a watch on a rubber strap regularly are advised to regularly wipe it with plain soap and water to remove traces of sweat, oil, hand cream and other substances that become a source of dirt accumulation.
Textile NATO strap
This type of strap is the easiest to clean - in fact, you just need to rinse it in warm water with soap, washing powder or dishwashing detergent, then rinse with clean water, straighten it on a flat surface and let it dry naturally. Do not place the strap in the sun, radiator, or dry it with a hairdryer, as this may deform the structure of the threads.
