Keep Your TimeLens Camera and Strap Looking New
By TIME LENS | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Tips & Care
Practical TimeLens camera care: clean the body and strap safely, prevent scratches and stretching, and know when a worn strap should be replaced.
Quick answer
Wipe the camera body with a dry or barely damp soft cloth, and clean the strap with mild soap and lukewarm water, then air dry it away from heat. The biggest mistake is soaking the camera or scrubbing the strap with alcohol, which can dull the finish and weaken the material.
Clean the camera body without touching the lens or ports
Power the camera off and remove the strap before you clean anything. Use a dry microfiber cloth for dust, and a slightly damp cloth only on the outer shell. Avoid spraying liquid directly on the camera, and never let moisture sit near the SD card slot or any opening. For fingerprints on the screen, a dry cloth is usually enough; if it is stubborn, breathe on the screen and wipe immediately.
Wash the strap the gentle way
The Dragonne Cream Leopard is compact and light, which makes it easy to clean in a sink. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a drop of mild soap, then dip the strap and rub it gently between your fingers. Rinse until the water runs clear, squeeze it in a towel, and hang it to air dry completely before reattaching. Skip the washing machine, hot water, and direct sunlight, because heat and agitation are what stretch or fade a strap.
Store and carry it so it stays new longer
Most wear comes from how the camera travels, not from how often you clean it. Keep the camera in a pouch or a soft bag when it is not in use, and avoid leaving it loose in a backpack with keys or coins. If you use the strap daily, check the attachment points once a month and loosen any knot that has been pulled tight. Rotating between two straps, or removing the strap for storage, spreads the wear and keeps the connector from creasing in the same spot.
Diagnose common TimeLens wear problems
- Strap looks dull or faded: Body oils, sunscreen, and sunlight are the usual causes. Hand-wash with mild soap and lukewarm water, then air dry in the shade. If the color still looks patchy after one wash, the fade is permanent and a replacement strap is the better fix.
- Strap feels stretched or the knot slips: Hot water, machine washing, or hanging the camera by the strap can stretch the material. Retie the knot and dry the strap flat instead of hanging it wet. If the strap no longer holds a knot, stop using it and replace it rather than risking a drop.
- Camera shell has sticky residue or fine scratches: Adhesive from stickers or grit trapped in a bag causes this. Wipe with a barely damp cloth, and store the camera in a pouch to prevent new scratches. Deep gouges in the shell are cosmetic and cannot be polished out; cleaning only prevents them from getting worse.
TimeLens gear facts
- Appareil photo TimeLens® Cream Sky Leopard: TimeLens Cream Sky Leopard camera with an 8-megapixel sensor, 3264x2448 photos, and a 4 GB SD card included. The included card means you can start shooting right away, but it also means the card slot is a spot to keep dry during cleaning.
- Dragonne Cream Leopard: Dragonne Cream Leopard strap is compact and light, and compatible with both phone and camera. Its light build makes hand-washing quick, and the same care routine works whether you use it on your TimeLens or your phone.
