Looking after a belt comes down to a few gentle habits. Wipe the plates with a soft, dry cloth after handling. Keep the leather strap dry and away from heat. Store the belt somewhere cool and dry, where nothing hard can rub against the plates. Do not use metal polish or household cleaners, and do not soak the belt. The plates are the metal parts of the belt and the strap is the leather part. They need different things, and this guide covers both. It is general advice for metal plates and leather.
Do and do not
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Wipe the plates with a soft, dry cloth after handling. | Use metal polish, abrasive paste or a rough cloth. |
| Keep the strap dry. | Soak the belt or hold it under a tap. |
| Let a damp strap dry slowly at room temperature. | Dry it with a hairdryer, on a radiator or in direct sun. |
| Store it flat or fully supported, somewhere cool and dry. | Leave it in a hot car, a damp cellar or a sunny window. |
| Wrap the plates in soft cloth for travel. | Let the plates rub against zips, buckles or each other. |
What are you looking after?
MS Belts plates are zinc alloy as standard, or brass as an upgrade. An alloy is a mix of metals. Some belts have 24K gold electroplating. Electroplating uses an electric current to coat a surface with a thin layer of metal. Here that layer is real gold, but the belt is not solid gold. Our guide to gold plating explains more.
The strap is cowhide leather with a snap closure. Snaps are push-together metal fasteners. The strap guide has the detail.
How do I clean the plates?
For fingerprints and dust, use a soft, dry cloth. A microfibre cloth, the kind sold for glasses and screens, works well. Wipe lightly. Do not scrub.
If a mark will not lift with a dry cloth, do not scrub it. Ask us before you try anything else.
Dust collects in the deep parts of a design. A soft, dry brush, such as a clean make-up brush, lifts it out without rubbing.
Why not use metal polish?
Most metal polishes are abrasive. That means they clean by rubbing away a very fine layer of the surface. On a plated belt, the surface is the plating. Plating is a surface layer that can wear with abrasion, so polishing it wears it down sooner.
Keep household cleaners, bleach, solvents and rough cloths away from the plates as well. We do not publish a list of approved cleaning products. If you want to use anything beyond a soft, dry cloth or brush, email support@msbelts.com and ask first.
How do I look after the strap?
Leather needs to be kept dry and away from heat. If the strap gets wet, blot it with a dry cloth. Then lay the belt flat and let it dry slowly at room temperature. Fast heat can make leather stiff and can crack it.
Avoid sharp folds. If you need to curve the belt to carry it, curve it loosely.
Leather conditioners are sold for many kinds of leather, but they do not suit every finish. Ask us before you use one on your strap.
Open and close each snap at the snap itself. Pulling on the strap from further away puts the strain on the leather around the snap.
Where should I store it?
Choose a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Avoid bathrooms, kitchens, lofts and cars, where heat and moisture change the most.
Lay the belt flat, or support its full length on a shelf or stand. Metal plates are heavy compared with a leather strap. A belt that hangs from one end for months puts that load on the leather.
Keep the plates covered. A soft cloth bag or a clean cotton pillowcase keeps dust off. If you display the belt on a wall or in a case, keep it away from radiators and windows.
What about wearing it and passing it on?
Wear the belt over clothing where you can. Sweat is moisture, and leather should stay dry. After wearing, wipe the plates and let the strap air at room temperature before you put the belt away.
Watches, rings, zips and buckles can scratch the plates. Take care when you lift the belt over your shoulder or lay it on a table.
If your belt moves between winners, for example a travelling league belt, send these notes with it. For transport, wrap it in soft cloth and pack it so nothing hard touches the plates.
What wear is normal?
As a general rule, plating shows wear first on the raised points that are touched the most. Leather softens and creases with use. Both are normal with handling, and gentle care slows them down.
We do not give a figure for how long plating lasts, because it depends on how the belt is handled. If you are still choosing options, weigh this up before you add plating to a belt that will be handled every week.
What if it arrives with a problem?
Check the belt when it arrives. If it is damaged, faulty or not as ordered, email support@msbelts.com with photos within 14 days of delivery. MS Belts will repair it, replace it or refund it.
See also the sizing and care page.
In short
- Use a soft, dry cloth on the plates. No polish and no household cleaners.
- Keep the leather dry and away from heat. Let it dry slowly if it gets wet.
- Store the belt flat or fully supported, cool and dry, with the plates covered.
- Ask us before using any cleaning product or leather conditioner.
Next step
Keep a soft cloth with your belt and wipe the plates after each handling. If you are still choosing a belt, start with the custom championship belts collection.
