How to clean a silicone watch strap. How to clean white leather goods

It is not so important what brand or design your watch is, where it was made - the very fact of choosing and using a high-precision mechanism in Everyday life speaks of you as a punctual, responsible person. Wristwatches, in order for them to properly perform their functions and, no less important, look presentable, need care: it is better to entrust the case and internal parts to a specialist, and you can handle cleaning the strap or bracelet on your own.

Men's swiss titanium wrist watch Auguste Reymond Magellan GMT AR7552.8.250.5

Leather belt

Wristwatches on a leather strap look respectable and comfortable to wear. But unfortunately, Genuine Leather- the material is quite capricious and not very durable. To maximize the life of the strap, you need to follow a few simple rules: protect from moisture, dry outdoors, avoid direct sunlight and open sources of heat, wear the watch so that there is a finger-sized distance between the strap and the wrist, wipe once a week with a slightly damp cloth.

This weekly maintenance will benefit the appearance of your watch band, but it will not completely eliminate the possibility of complex contamination. To remove them, there are several effective ways that are easy to use at home.

Method number 1

One of the best is using a paste of baking soda and water (note that this method is suitable for straps) dark colors). Mix these components in equal proportions, gently apply the resulting mass on the entire surface of the strap and wash it off after 30-60 minutes under running water. Dry the product at room temperature.

Method number 2

If the strap of your watch is light, then you should change the composition. Dip the white of a raw egg into a glass of milk, stir vigorously. Saturate a piece of cloth with the composition and wipe the strap thoroughly. As in the first case, rinse it and dry it.

Method number 3

You can also immerse the leather product in a mild soapy warm solution and gently clean, for example, with a soft toothbrush, then rinse with water, blot paper napkins to remove excess moisture, and air dry naturally. It is better not to use household detergents, as it is impossible to predict their effect on the material.

Method number 4

Some manufacturers advise purchasing a special composition for cleaning the skin from dirt and stains, it works effectively and gently. It is enough to apply the product on tissue paper and carefully wipe the strap. It is quite expensive, but the effect will exceed all expectations.

Method number 5

A watch strap made of rare exotic materials (for example, ostrich, stingray, snake skin) requires especially careful care. Experts do not advise using detergents or soapy water; for such straps, only gentle cleaning with a cloth or a soft brush in the direction of the scales is suitable.

Men's wrist watch Pierre Ricaud Bracelet P91086.5156Q

Metal bracelet

Metal is much more practical than leather, this is a fact, and therefore it is easier to take care of a watch with a metal bracelet. The main thing, if possible, of course, is to avoid scratches and regularly clean it from dirt and dust at the joints of the links. The choice of method depends on the type of alloy.

Method number 1

It is enough to lower the steel bracelet for 15-20 minutes in warm water, in which you must first dissolve a few drops of any mild detergent. After the time has elapsed, the links are cleaned with a cloth and a soft brush, then washed with water and wiped dry.

Method number 2

Ammonia will also help in cleaning the steel bracelet. To do this, dissolve 2-4 drops of liquid in a glass of warm water and immerse the bracelet in it for 20 minutes, then remove, rinse under running water, wipe with a cloth and dry.

Method number 3

Another effective method, which is also suitable for products from precious metals, - gruel of soda and vinegar. Mix them in equal proportions, gently apply the resulting paste to the links and wipe them with a soft cloth.

Men's Swiss mechanical wrist watch Edox Grand Ocean Chronograph Automatic 01123-357RCANBUR with a chronograph

Titanium watch bracelets durable and lightweight. Caring for them is not difficult: you need to rub the product with a rubber eraser, then apply a little toothpaste, clean the dirt between the links and polish the bracelet with a lint-free cloth.

Rubber and fabric straps quite unpretentious - a solution of any detergent is enough to make them look like new. And the original fabric NATO straps can be washed even in washing machine, just put them in a cloth bag so that the bakle does not touch the drum during washing and does not ring.

Vika Dee

Wristwatches have not lost their popularity, although today it is easy to find out what time it is on a cell phone. Many people still prefer mechanical watches, but to keep them accurate, they need to be cleaned at least every three years. This is due to unfavorable external factors that affect their mechanism: the ingress of dust and dirt into it, the drying of parts.

clean the watch

The easiest way is to take them to a watch shop, but you can clean your watch at home if you are sure that after cleaning you can assemble it so that it does not leftover details, and the instrument will still walk accurately.

It is worth taking up cleaning only if the watch is functioning normally, that is, it is fully functional

If observed some malfunctions in their work, then they need not only and not so much cleaning as repair. Let's see how do-it-yourself watch cleaning is done and what should be at hand for this.

What do you need to clean your watch?

First of all, you need to make room for work by removing everything superfluous from the table and taking care of good lighting– the work is delicate, the details are small, and none of them can be overlooked.

From materials you need to prepare:

• rubber medical pear;
• tweezers for small parts;
• clean pipette;
• toothpick;
• brush with soft thin bristles, thoroughly soaked in gasoline or alcohol;
• soft toothbrush (it also needs to be soaked);
• solvent gasoline "Kalosha" or ethyl alcohol;
• watch oil;
• small capacity (cup, glass);
• cotton pad or swab;
• cloth napkin;
• several thin sheets of white paper, preferably cigarette paper;
• wood sawdust or shavings, birch is best.

Soft toothbrush for cleaning watches

Sequence of work

Watch cleaning is not limited to cleaning the mechanism itself, it is also necessary for the watch case, including glass and a strap or bracelet.

Although it is usually recommended to start cleaning the movement right away, it is advisable to first clean the case with glass, since after cleaning the movement itself, it will need to be placed in the case as soon as possible during prevent dust particles from entering. You can, of course, cover it with paper or cloth, but particles almost invisible to the eye can get into the mechanism from them, which will negate all your work.

So cleaning mechanical watch produced in the next sequences.

Watch disassembly

1. Disconnect a winding screw that secures the mechanism in the case.
2. Open the case and carefully take the mechanism out of it.
3. If it contains large, clearly visible contamination, which is easily accessible, then they can be removed with a toothpick. But be attentive: if its tip breaks off and remains inside, it will damage the mechanism, and then you definitely cannot do without a watchmaker.
4. Use a rubber blower to clean the mechanism with compressed air. Make sure that the pressure is not too strong, otherwise miniature parts may be damaged.
5. Clean the case in the same way - here pressure may be stronger.

Watch disassembly

Case cleaning

1. wadded disk or swab dipped in gasoline/alcohol, wipe the watch case.
2. If there are intruders pollution They are easy to remove with a brush or toothbrush.
3. To clean the dial, use first wet and then a dry cloth.
4. Do not wipe the glass with gasoline/alcohol, as this transparency may be impaired.(it refers to inexpensive watches low quality glass).
5. Finally, wipe the body with a tissue dry.

Wet wipe for cleaning the watch

Mechanism cleaning

Remember that you need to clean the watch mechanism very carefully, without too much pressure on parts, otherwise they may be deformed - this is an indispensable condition for home cleaning. Ideally, it is desirable to find instructions for this particular watch model, since if assembled incorrectly, they will simply become unusable.

1. Need to start with balance: it is immersed in alcohol or gasoline poured into a cup or glass to a height of about 2 cm. Take the balance with tweezers by the rim, immerse it in a cup and rinse, then move it through the air to let the gasoline / alcohol evaporate, and place it in birch sawdust for final drying - they absorb liquid better than others.
2. anchor fork and engagement cleaned in the same way, but dried on paper, since these parts are smaller.
3. In the same way clean and all other details. Large ones are placed in sawdust for drying, and small ones are placed on paper.
4. Give all the details dry out. If after that you notice plaque on them, gently brush it off with a brush or toothbrush.
5. The assembly of the mechanism must be done after complete drying parts and do it as quickly as possible so that dust does not get into it.
6. After assembly, lubricate the parts with watch oil (it is convenient to do this with a pipette) and immediately insert into the case.

Cleaning the strap or bracelet

Straps and bracelets are an integral part of watches. They are made from the most various materials: from traditional metal and leather to ceramic, plastic, silicone, etc.

Of course, the strap / bracelet needs to be cleaned much more often than the mechanism: every two months

And it's not just that he loses appearance, but also in the fact that due to pollution, especially on the inside, it creates the most favorable conditions for the reproduction of harmful microorganisms.

Watch band cleaning

To clean the strap / bracelet can be done in the most inconvenient places for access, it must be removed from the watch:

1. The ceramic bracelet on the watch is the easiest to clean - it is enough wipe with a soft cloth moistened with glass cleaner, it will be like new.
2. Clean leather belt on the clock is recommended wadded disk, dipped in soapy water, to which a few drops of ammonia are added, after which the soap residue is removed with a damp cloth. The silicone strap / bracelet is also cleaned with the same solution. Leather strap not recommended to soak in solution, and also be cleaned with gasoline or alcohol. If the skin on the strap is light, and even more so white, it is cleaned with a mixture of milk and egg white.
3. Cleaning is recommended for plastic, rubber and fabric straps/bracelets toothpaste or a solution of laundry soap.
4. Wristwatches made of stainless steel, as a rule, also have a stainless steel bracelet, which is cleaned with a mixture of table vinegar and soda (vinegar can be replaced with ammonia). The silver bracelet is cleaned with the same solution. This can also be done regular shampoo or soft detergent for dishes. Although the bracelet is stainless, it should be wiped dry with a dry cotton cloth or microfiber.
5. A gold bracelet is not steel, from constant wear it can become dull and get dirty with sweat and fat, which secrete the pores on the arm. It cannot be cleaned with any aqueous solutions - only a mechanical cleaning method using baby powder, crushed chalk or powder. They are applied to dry flannel, polish the bracelet on both sides, and then wipe it with a dry cloth.

Watch cleaning chalk

As you can see, there is nothing supernaturally difficult in cleaning watches on your own, especially if you have experience with delicate mechanisms. If there is no such experience, then you have two options: either experiment with your watch, or just take it to a watch workshop. The choice is yours!

August 14, 2018, 08:24

There are many varieties of watch straps: leather, eco-leather, silicone, metal. If you decide , then among the offers you will even find products made of high-quality plastic. But no matter how carefully the watch is used, sooner or later it gets dirty. However, not every model provides the possibility of replacing the bracelet. And you don't want to spend extra money. Therefore, the owners face the question of how to clean the watch bracelet.

Most often they are supplied with leather or stainless steel belts. They look respectable and are comfortable to wear. But from contact with the body, clothing, air and moisture, they lose their attractiveness, fade. Particles of dirt and dust clog into steel links, and leather belts become stained and lose their luster. What to do?

How to clean a watch braceletleather?

The easiest way to restore a leather strap to its original appearance is to buy a special leather cleaner from a household or shoe store. If this option does not work, remove the strap from the watch face and try one of the following methods:

• Make a solution: half a liter of water, a couple of drops of shampoo, one tablespoon of ammonia. Wipe the surface with a soft sponge dampened with this solution. Then dry with a clean cloth.
• Soak a cotton pad in lemon juice and wipe the strap.

Sometimes, not knowing how to clean a watch bracelet with gentle methods, people use alcohol or gasoline. These are quite dangerous for the material, albeit effective substances. We do not recommend using them. Especially - if you are not sure that the leather is natural and not artificial.

You can make a leather strap shiny with glycerin. Just dampen a piece of cloth or sponge with glycerine and wipe the belt. It will become softer, smoother, radiant.

How to clean a watch braceletstainless steel?

If it is not possible to separate the bracelet from the case, the best option will be cleaning with soda-vinegar paste:

1. Mix baking soda and vinegar in equal parts.
2. Apply the mixture to soft tissue or a brush.
3. Neat in a circular motion wipe the surface, being careful not to touch the glass and the case.
4. Wipe away any remaining paste and wipe the surface thoroughly with a clean, damp cloth.

If the bracelet is easily detached from the case, separate it and use the "baths":

• Dilute some shampoo or dishwashing gel in water. Dip the bracelet in the solution for half an hour. After that, with a toothbrush or cotton buds clean the link joints. Rinse with running water and dry with a soft towel.
• Take or make a container out of aluminum foil. Put a bracelet in it and sprinkle with soda. Pour hot water. Wait 20 minutes. Wash and dry the strap.
• A stainless bracelet can be soaked in vodka or a mixture of ammonia and water. And then rinse and wipe, as in previous recipes.

If it’s not important for you to know how to clean a watch bracelet at home, use the services of a workshop. Masters will carry out the procedure carefully and safely, using an ultrasonic cleaner.

When purchasing a beautiful watch, you should definitely know how to clean the watch strap, because over time it collects dust and dirt. As a result, the watch loses its attractive appearance.

Each strap has its own cleaning method

To clean your watch strap, you can use the following methods:

• mix ammonia, water and liquid soap in equal proportions - such a mixture will easily clean the metal bracelet of the watch from any contamination;
• such a cleaner is suitable if the watch has a rubber strap - connect toothpaste, a solution of water and laundry soap;
• if the silicone strap is dirty, then just lather it with white laundry soap, for example "Anti-spot" and leave for half an hour. Then rub the surface with a toothbrush and rinse thoroughly under water.

To keep your leather strap looking like new

Below is a detailed description of how to clean leather watch straps at home:

1. Pour 30 milliliters of liquid soap into a plate, add three drops of ammonia and dilute everything with warm water, mix thoroughly.
2. Take cotton wool, moisten it in the resulting solution and wipe the strap thoroughly.
3. Wash off the soap with a damp sponge, then wipe the product with a dry cotton cloth.
4. Leave the strap to dry completely.

Cleaning a metal bracelet

For you to know how to clean a metal watch strap, check out this in a simple way. It is necessary to rub the bracelet with baby powder using a flannel napkin. After that, carefully wipe the surface with a clean, and most importantly, dry cotton cloth.

The leather strap from the watch is erased over time - it loses its color and shine. From moisture, dark spots may appear on it, which will stand out against the main background.

By observing certain operating conditions, severe contamination of the strap can be prevented. However, to prolong its life, it is possible to clean the leather strap at home.

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Prevention

In order for the strap to remain in good condition longer, you should follow the recommendations for use:

• Remove watch before water procedures even if the watch is water resistant. So the skin will not be deformed from a set of water and subsequent drying;
• Wear the watch with the strap fastened slightly loose so that it absorbs less sweat and does not stretch;
• Take off your watch at night so that the strap is ventilated;
• Keep the watch in a free state and in a horizontal position without crushing the strap;
• Rub the leather of the strap with vegetable oil (olive or castor) or glycerin so that it does not lose its shine.

Cleaning the leather strap

Even with all the recommendations for use, over time, the strap loses its luster and acquires a specific smell. Therefore, from time to time it is advisable to clean it, after removing the clock mechanism. There are several ways to clean the strap:

• Dilute liquid soap in warm water and add a few drops of ammonia. With a cotton swab dipped in this solution, wipe the strap on both sides, rinse in warm running water and allow to dry in a horizontal position;
• You can clean the light strap with a mixture of milk and egg white. Dip a cotton swab into the liquid and rub it on the skin. This helps keep the color;
• You can remove strong contaminants using gruel (paste) from soda with water. Apply the mixture evenly over the entire surface of the strap, leave for an hour, then rinse;
• You can remove stains from the strap by special means for skin care. Such sprays are sold in shoe and car stores, as well as in furniture stores;

To refresh the color and neutralize the smell, the strap should be rinsed after cleaning in warm water with the addition of citric acid. So that the leather does not dry out and does not crack, a slightly damp strap should be rubbed with glycerin or a drop of vegetable oil. When the strap is dry, it remains to polish its surface with a soft, clean cloth.