How Do You Properly Care for Leather?

Leather can be a very durable and robust material if it is cared for properly. It is also simply comfortable to wear. However, to keep it in good condition, you need to invest a little time and care. We have therefore already collected some tips and tricks for you. In addition, we have once again focused on the needs of the material, so that you can really enjoy your watch with a leather strap for a long time. Of course, the information can also be applied to shoes, bags, etc. But read for yourself!

Leather is a natural product and therefore subject to a certain aging process. Through specific mechanical and chemical tanning processes, animal hide is turned into durable leather. As a strap material, it is considered very robust and comfortable, as it is stretchy, breathable, and tear-resistant. Despite all this, a leather strap is still subject to wear, and sweat and water in particular take their toll on it.
In fact, the same applies to care as must also be considered with leather shoes. If you wear a leather strap every day, you should make sure that, just like shoes, it also gets the chance to air out and dry from time to time.

Leather soap? Baby oil? Leather grease?

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="151"] Whether dyed or natural leather strap, care is always important. (Here: Noon 45-001L3)[/caption]

There are many “secret recipes” for care online, especially from the past. But the problem is that, unlike back then, leather has become much thinner and softer and is also tanned differently. So you need specially tailored care products, which you can find at any regular specialist retailer or often even in shoe stores. You should also not underestimate the negative effects of home remedies. Greases and liquids in particular quickly turn rancid in leather. But care products on the market vary widely in price. So which one is the right one?
For new leathers, cheaper care products are often perfectly sufficient, but for particularly high-quality, expensive, or already damaged leathers, you should opt for somewhat more expensive products. What matters is that they are synthetic oils that do not provide a breeding ground for bacteria or mold. Unfortunately, there is no universal care product for all types of leather.

Wetness, stains & Co

If leather gets wet, it must dry well and for a long time, or be allowed to air out, so that it does not later develop a musty smell. Heavy dirt can best be wiped off with a damp cloth or sponge and lukewarm water. A soft toothbrush can also help with a braided strap, for example. It is important not to treat the leather with harsh chemical agents or rough tools. If you use metal brushes, etc., and simple cleaning products, for example, staining and irregularities in the color gradient can occur.

It is also always a good idea to impregnate the leather to protect it from water and dirt in advance. Wax-based waterproofing sprays are particularly suitable, as they combine protection and care. These can now be found almost everywhere. It is certainly advisable to ask your trusted cobbler any specific questions, because they can certainly give you tips on your individual strap.