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Old 13 October 2019, 10:16 PM   #1
smak
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cleaning a nato

I'm pretty active and have always enjoyed the versatility and style of my NATO band for the GMT i sport.

it's afforded me (among other things) the ability to get in and out of situations with minimal wear and tear on my watch.. but after a while of hiking some ranges, various oceanic activities or even just potato'ing it up, my strap gets a down right stank to it.

initially i tried throwing it in with the laundry. laughable results.

then the never fail soap and water.. this does not even last a day in many cases, despite brushing with a firm bristled brush.

A few years ago i found after soaking in detergent and scrubbing well, slathering it in antibacterial gel was pretty successful in rejuvinating the straps.. but i'm not exactly a germopobe so dont have heaps of the stuff on hand all the time.

just the other day i tried hydrogen peroxide (just the otc 5% stuff) diluted 1/2 with water.

soap and water scrub, quick rinse and sat it in peroxide overnight and my black strap not only stayed black, it didn't fray at all and came out like new.

i know you all are likely saying a new strap can be had for under $10.. but i am a firm believer in reducing our enviromental footprint and reusing items that some declare as disposable.

if you have other tips feel free to share.. i think i have tried bleech before with marginal results. i am thinking of a citrus dip next time after the peroxide bath.

take care.
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Old 14 October 2019, 11:51 AM   #2
othertbone
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smak View Post
I'm pretty active and have always enjoyed the versatility and style of my NATO band for the GMT i sport.

it's afforded me (among other things) the ability to get in and out of situations with minimal wear and tear on my watch.. but after a while of hiking some ranges, various oceanic activities or even just potato'ing it up, my strap gets a down right stank to it.

initially i tried throwing it in with the laundry. laughable results.

then the never fail soap and water.. this does not even last a day in many cases, despite brushing with a firm bristled brush.

A few years ago i found after soaking in detergent and scrubbing well, slathering it in antibacterial gel was pretty successful in rejuvinating the straps.. but i'm not exactly a germopobe so dont have heaps of the stuff on hand all the time.

just the other day i tried hydrogen peroxide (just the otc 5% stuff) diluted 1/2 with water.

soap and water scrub, quick rinse and sat it in peroxide overnight and my black strap not only stayed black, it didn't fray at all and came out like new.

i know you all are likely saying a new strap can be had for under $10.. but i am a firm believer in reducing our enviromental footprint and reusing items that some declare as disposable.

if you have other tips feel free to share.. i think i have tried bleech before with marginal results. i am thinking of a citrus dip next time after the peroxide bath.

take care.

If you are going to get your straps so dirty, then just go rubber. You can easily clean it and it will last you for ever. Sounds like that nato is probably pretty gross, so better act fast brother.
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Old 14 October 2019, 11:56 AM   #3
TripleB Boston
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I like using a small amount of Dawn dish soap. Make sure you rinse it well.

I'll try the peroxide idea. I like cleaning the strap with the watch still on, so the peroxide idea may not be the best for the watch.
Thanks for the tip.
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Old 14 October 2019, 01:05 PM   #4
wantonebad
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replace it
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Old 14 October 2019, 01:44 PM   #5
ckaynyc
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These straps are like $12 just replace it and save yourself the time.
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Old 14 October 2019, 03:21 PM   #6
smak
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i've bought over 20 in my time.. settling on crown & buckle's offerings and i still have a couple in an envelope brand new with stickers protecting the shiny chromed hardware.

the peroxide is a difinitive fix though.. it cleans between the tightly woven fibers.. i had dough from baking bread in there, it all fizzed away in the chemical reaction and its like new.

even scrubbing hard with a brush wasent this successful and it frayed the material noticably.

i'll still get new straps but no more than yearly now.
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Old 14 October 2019, 03:41 PM   #7
BisonHead
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I have a Waterborne strap that i have used since early 90's and it has never frayed with being washed. I bought 2 and 1 is still in the packet, that hard wearing.

Mine used to get really manky and i mean cruded right up. Nail brush and what ever hand soap was available. Came up great, just repeat as needed. Never felt the need to use harsh chemicals on them.
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Old 14 October 2019, 03:51 PM   #8
SearChart
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I wash mine with soap and water, but I don't let them get really dirty and stinky in the first place.
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Old 14 October 2019, 09:50 PM   #9
smak
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the noticable fraying was after a considerable amount of elbow grease was applied with a very firm bristle brush. even then though, barely noticable.

peroxide, at the 5% dilution available for like $5 a Quart over the counter at walmart, is not a harsh chemical.. people often use it as mouth wash to whiten their teeth.

still not as mild as soap and water, and if you are getting away with that then good on you.
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Old 15 October 2019, 12:36 AM   #10
Chewbacca
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wantonebad View Post
replace it
This

Or stick it in a sock and throw it in a wash load.
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