Cleaning Nylon Watch Straps

[Smashie]

This is something I’ve been messing about with for a few years now. I’ve tried all sorts of different ways and ruined a fair few straps though chemicals, heat and plain old wear (through using the wasing machine).

6 Months ago I hit on this for the watch straps, the straps I have cleaned during this time are as good as the day I got them.

Let me now what you think,

[Chako]

That looks like a good way to clean them. Just curious...have you ever tried an ultrasonic cleaner?

[Smashie]

That looks like a good way to clean them. Just curious...have you ever tried an ultrasonic cleaner?

Yes I have. But my US only gets used on firearms now.  This is such a cost effective way and also environmentally safe as well.

[Don Pablo]

Nice!

Would you be able to substitute malt vinegar if you don't have citric acid, do you think? Maybe it would be too strong....

[Smashie]

Nice!

Would you be able to substitute malt vinegar if you don't have citric acid, do you think? Maybe it would be too strong....

Not Malt! that stinks. Vinegar is also quite a bit stronger and starts bleaching any colour out of the nylon. A handfull of times its ok, but after that they start fading badly. It’s good for cleaning showers though

[Don Pablo]

Not Malt! that stinks. Vinegar is also quite a bit stronger and starts bleaching any colour out of the nylon. A handfull of times its ok, but after that they start fading badly. It’s good for cleaning showers though

Thanks, makes sense

[Smashie]

Ok an update, I found the nastiest most honking strap I had. Here are the before and after pictures.

Before


After

[Smashie]

I’ve just noticed that his video has 2.1k views on YT. It did also get shared on IG but nothing there lasts long enough to make much of an impact

[engineer_in_nj]

I just throw them in the wash. They are so cheap these days. Might try this. Good find.

[ToolJoe]

I've found that simple soap and water wash and air dry has worked out the best for me.

[N05J3W3]

I've had good luck with the dishwasher [skip the dry/heat cycle].

[tattoosteve99]

Not sure if you have this product where you are at, but I use a product called awesome. The problem I see with that video is it doesn’t do any good to add baking soda to any acid before it does any work. Anyway, I soak my mine in awesome then just rinse in warm water. Other than that I use dawn and a toothbrush.

[Stabby]

I've found that simple soap and water wash and air dry has worked out the best for me.

Yes!  Hand soap and warm water in the bathroom sink and then hang to dry.  Maybe a scrub with an old toothbrush if one is really dirty (haven't needed to yet).  No need to overthink this.