Lance Carson
Whether it's from perfume, cologne, or sweat, a smelly watch strap can be unpleasant and off-putting. While it's important to consider the type of watch strap you're dealing with, there are several methods to remove unwanted scents and restore your watch to its former glory. For cloth and leather watch straps, a simple baking soda mixture can be effective, while metal watchbands can be cleaned with soap and water or a jewellery cleaner. For more intense smells, a vinegar and linseed oil mixture can be used for leather straps, and denture cleaner tablets or concentrated oxyclean can be used for plastic straps. If you're dealing with a stubborn rubber strap, a solution of alcohol and hot water can be used, followed by air-drying.
How to get rid of perfume smell on a watch
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Watch band material | Cloth, leather, rubber, metal |
| Cleaning methods | Baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, coconut oil, detergent, alcohol, mouthwash, toothpaste, soap and water |
| Other methods | Exposing the strap to direct sunlight, freezing the watch, using deodorant on the wrist |
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What You'll Learn
Soak in vinegar and linseed oil
If you want to get rid of a perfume smell on your watch, you'll need to take a different approach depending on the material of the watch strap.
For cloth watch straps, if the odour is extreme, throw the band into the washing machine or soak it in warm water and detergent. If you want to deodorize the watch strap without getting it wet, sprinkle some baking soda into a small plastic bag, seal the bag, and place the watchband into it, leaving it overnight. If the smell persists, you may need to repeat the process.
For leather watch straps, mix together equal amounts of distilled vinegar and linseed oil. Using a lint-free cloth, rub the mixture into the leather, then buff with a clean, dry cloth. Repeat this process for deodorizing in between cleanings.
For rubber watch straps, you can try exposing the strap to direct sunlight for a few days. Alternatively, you can submerge the strap in a glass jar containing 91% isopropyl alcohol, remove it from the alcohol, rinse it off, and let it dry in the air for 4 days. Note that the soft plastic and rubber types you'll find in watches will probably swell slightly from the alcohol, but once all the alcohol has evaporated, they'll return to their original dimensions.
For metal watchbands, clean them with soap and water or a jewellery cleaner.
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Use baking soda
Baking soda is an effective way to get rid of perfume smells on your watch. It is a natural cleaner that can eliminate stains, remove soap scum, and neutralise unwanted smells. The alkaline properties of baking soda counteract the acids that cause bad smells.
To use baking soda to remove perfume smells from your watch, start by disassembling the watch. If possible, separate the watch band from the watch face. Place the watch band in a small plastic bag. Make sure the bag can be sealed or closed tightly with a knot or twist tie. Sprinkle some baking soda into the bag, then place the watch band inside and seal the bag. Leave the watch band in the bag overnight. If the watch still smells, you may need to leave it in the bag for another night.
For the watch face, you can try cleaning it with a water and baking soda mix. Be sure to rinse it with clean drinking water afterward, as baking soda will raise the alkalinity of the water. You can also try placing the watch face in a box of baking soda overnight.
If the perfume smell is particularly strong or stubborn, you may need to repeat the above steps several times.
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Submerge in alcohol
Submerging your watch in alcohol can be an effective way to remove unwanted perfume smells. However, it is important to exercise caution as alcohol can negatively impact certain materials and components in your watch.
Firstly, it is not recommended to submerge water-resistant watches in alcohol. This is because alcohol can dry out the gaskets and seals that make the watch water-resistant. If the seals are damaged, the watch can no longer withstand water pressure and may break if submerged in water. Vintage and old watches should also never be cleaned with alcohol due to the risk of damaging unique materials and components.
If you decide to proceed with submerging your watch in alcohol, it is important to use the correct type of alcohol and to follow the recommended procedure. One method suggests using 91% isopropyl alcohol, which can be purchased from a drugstore. Submerge the watch parts in a glass jar containing the alcohol. After removing the watch from the alcohol, rinse it off and let it dry in the air for at least 4 days. The alcohol draws out the scent ingredients, which are oil/alcohol soluble. The drying time allows the alcohol to evaporate completely, leaving the watch parts scent-free.
If you do not want to use heat to accelerate the drying process, you can leave the watch in room temperature alcohol for 2 x 5 days. This extended duration compensates for the absence of heat, as temperature plays a role in speeding up the removal of scents. It is worth noting that the soft plastic and rubber components in your watch may swell slightly from the alcohol. However, once all the alcohol has evaporated, they will return to their original dimensions.
As an alternative to submerging, you can apply the alcohol to a cotton ball or Q-tip and carefully wipe down the surfaces of your watch. This method is recommended for stainless steel or metal watches and avoids the risk of damaging internal components.
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Wash with soap and water
To get rid of the perfume smell on your watch, you can wash it with soap and water. This method is suitable for metal watch bands, which can be cleaned with mild soap and lukewarm water. You can also use a disinfectant wipe for a quick clean.
For cloth watch bands, if the perfume odour is strong, you can wash the band in the washing machine or soak it in warm water and detergent. If you own a cloth watch band, be aware that they absorb smells and are more difficult to clean.
Leather watch bands are sensitive to moisture, so be cautious when cleaning them. Before cleaning, detach the leather watch band from the watch case to ensure easy access and protection of the casing. Then, mix equal parts water and vinegar, and apply the solution to the band with a cloth or cotton pad. Vinegar will help neutralise odours and break down perfume molecules.
If your watch band is made of rubber, you can try scrubbing it with dishwashing detergent.
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Expose to sunlight
Exposing your watch to direct sunlight is a great way to get rid of unwanted perfume smells. This method is particularly effective for watch straps made of plastic or rubber. Place your watch in direct sunlight for a few days, and the smell should disappear.
This method is also suitable for metal watch straps, which can become smelly over time. Metal bands are more challenging to clean without risking damage to the finish. However, sunlight can help neutralise odours without the need for potentially harmful chemicals or abrasive cleaning methods.
For leather watch straps, it is generally not recommended to expose them to direct sunlight for extended periods. Leather is sensitive to sunlight and can darken, dry up, and even break if exposed to too much heat. Instead, it is advised to let leather straps breathe by leaving them on a nightstand overnight. This allows the strap to air out and dry completely before being worn again.
While sunlight can be effective for removing unwanted smells, it is important to consider the material of your watch strap before opting for this method. Sunlight can be a simple and eco-friendly solution, but it may not be suitable for all watch strap types.
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Frequently asked questions
Wash the strap in the washing machine or soak it in warm water and detergent.
First, detach the strap from the watch case. Then, mix equal amounts of distilled vinegar and linseed oil. Using a lint-free cloth, rub the mixture into the leather, then buff with a clean, dry cloth.
Clean the strap with soap and water or a jewellery cleaner.
