Once a smell develops within your leather watch band, it can be a smelly nuisance that can act as a constant bother. No matter the number of showers that you bring it into, it just continue to smell of musty built up sweat.
Fortunately, there exist a range of household ingredient that can help in removing the stink and help in returning the watch to normal. By following the below solutions, you can be sure that the watch will be smelling as if it were brand new.
Smell Removal Solutions for Leather Watch Band
1 Sunlight
Placing the leather watch band within direct sunlight can do much to remove the embedded stink. The ultra violet rays, open space and fresh air will slowly work to neutralize the smell and render the leather fiber odorless. It is important to find the correct balance when performing this task. Too much sun will ensure can potential bleach the leather color and too little will not have a strong enough effect.
2 Enzyme Cleaner
This solution works well on leather to eat through the odorous organics that are creating the cause. Draw a small bowl of this solution, and submerge the leather straps within the solution for a total of 3-4 hours. Once complete, place the leather band in direct sunlight to dry out before reattaching to the watch face.
3 Activated Charcoal
Using activated charcoal is a noninvasive and effective solution if you have the time. Find a very small box to place several charcoal briquettes. Next include the watch band within the pile and seal the box. Allow the box to sit for 5-7 days to slowly work it’s magic in absorbing all of the unwanted aromas before opening it to remove the freshened wrist bands.
4 Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda has been used for generations in extracting unwelcome odors from household items. Within a small bowl create a baking soda paste of one part baking soda to three parts water. Once mixed, submerge the leather watch bands within this formula and allow it to sit for 24 hours. During this time, the leather fiber will be loosened up and the baking soda will work to absorb the available odor. After this time period has passed, remove the watch bands and place them under the facet to wash away any baking soda paste that may remain on it. Finally, complete this solution by laying the watch band within the sun to air dry.
5 Murphy’s Oil Soap
As far as product solutions go, Murphy’s Oil Soap can work wonders in eliminating harsh leather odors while remaining sensitive and gentile to the wrist bands appearance. Apply generous amounts of this solution to the watch band and allow it to sit for 2-3 hours. After this time rub away any excess and set aside for the fiber to naturally dry out.
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False! 4 of these 5 methods won’t work. The carpet enzyme is the only one that may work based upon the quality of the product. So, that is almost nothing.
Smell is produce by a bacteria that ones in your straps will become active every time is it exposed to humidity. So you if you use sunlight, oil based products, charcoal etc it won’t eliminate the bacteria…
BEST HOME METHOD: put household bleach on the affected that has been in contact with your skin. Don’t soak leather! Let the bleach dry. (Bleach starts to eliminate bacteria after the first five minutes). Wiped clean with a wet cloth. Spray medicinal deodorant. Wiped clean. Let it dry. Seal leather with a waterproof leather protector (the same one you use for shoes).
Tip: seal before you use your new straps.
Actually, the BAKING SODA PASTE method works great–so I can’t imagine why you’re saying it doesn’t. You must not have actually tried it…….It TOTALLY gets rid of the stink if you leave it on for at least an hour, then wipe or rinse away. I’ve tried it repeatedly with different stinky (from sweat buildup) leather watch bands, and it works like a charm every time. Repeat as needed (usually, once a week will suffice to keep your leather watch band fairly-stink free). And as far as the baking soda paste and/or water harming your leather, it may in fact be true that you’ll want to replace the leather watch band after many, many applications of the baking soda paste. The band may begin to show its age and wear and tear, etc. at some point (which would eventually happen ANYWAY, even if you NEVER used baking soda paste on it, and water to rinse it). The use of the paste and the water may hasten its breakdown a bit–but in my mind, SO WHAT? We are not talking about an $800 leather jacket here, we are talking about a $10-$20 watch band. Buy a new one when the time comes, and treat it with the baking soda paste when it starts to stink the same way. You’ll be glad you did…….