Ever notice how your spanking new leather watch band doesn't smell so new after a while. You may not even realize it until you bury your nose into the watch band, and almost pass out.
So what is this smell? The smell may be caused by an actual bacteria - Staphylococcus aureus, - living in your watch band.
Is the Bacteria harmful?
Yes! The bacteria is the type that can cause skin infections, particularly if the skin becomes irritated or you get cuts in the area of the strap. For instance, if you go for a hike wearing your watch band, which smells slightly as a result of the microbes, and you scrape yourself on a couple of bramble bushes, the bacteria can infect your skin via the open cuts.
Why does this bacteria effect leather straps? As Quoted on Men's Health website Roberto Kolter, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology and molecular genetics at Harvard medical school said, " Because leather is porous, it absorbs sweat and skin cells that serve as food for bacterial growth"
What other types of straps trap Bacteria? Fabric straps, which are quite porous can trap bacteria, but are much easier to clean.
What do I do to ensure the bacteria will not grow in my watch band? Wipe the leather watch band once a week with a leather cleaner such as Leather CPR Cleaner & Conditioner. If the smell is very strong and no amount of cleaning can get rid of it, it is probably a good idea to invest in a new watch strap. In addition wash your wrists and hands with antibacterial soap.
If you are out in the sun a lot, it is probably better to buy a watch with a rubber or plastic watch strap, since they are not as absorbent and can be washed down with soapy water. Steel and Precious metal bracelets are also better, since they are not porous and do not absorb sweat. With Low End Metal bracelets, particularly those that are gold plated or replicas ,which are crafted from inferior material, make sure they do not contain nickel, as many people are allergic to nickel and sweat can erode the plating or inferior metal and allow for nickel to irritate the skin causing a potential allergic reaction. Click here to read on Nickel Allergies
Whatever watch band you wear, make sure to keep the watch band and the watch case back clean and sweat free by gently wiping it at the end of the day.
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