At Woman on the Move (WOTM), we design our accessories to keep up with your daily hustle—from the boardroom to the school run and everywhere in between. Our gear is built for life in South Africa, but a little TLC goes a long way in keeping your tech and style companions looking brand new.

The Golden Rule: Apply your perfumes, body creams, hand lotions, and sunscreens and let them completely dry before putting on your straps, charms, or bags. Hand creams and fragrances contain alcohols and oils that react with metal plating and natural leather over time!

1. Crossbody Straps & Hardware

Keep your hands-free style polished and vibrant, no matter where your busy day takes you.

Care by Strap Material

• Braided Rope & Cord: Adventure-ready but susceptible to everyday dust. Hand wash gently in lukewarm water with a drop of mild dish soap. Use a soft toothbrush for stubborn spots. Pro Tip: Always air-dry indoors or in the shade. The harsh Highveld or Karoo sun can fade vibrant colors over time!
• Leather Straps: Wipe with a slightly damp (not soaking) microfiber cloth. Every few months, apply a small amount of leather cream to keep the leather soft and supple.
• Beaded Straps: Artisanal and handcrafted pieces—treat them like fine jewellery! Avoid pulling, snagging, or tossing them loosely into packed bags. Gently wipe beads with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
• Metal Chain Straps: Keep them shining by wiping them down after every use to remove skin oils, body lotions, or coastal sea-salt residue, which can dull the metal finish over time.

Caring for Metal Hardware (Clasps, Toggles & Ends)

• Mind the Knock: Be mindful when leaning against granite countertops, glass tables, or car doors. Protect your metal end-caps and toggles from sharp impacts.
• The "Tuck" Technique: When driving or sitting down, tuck your phone and its metal hardware into your lap or a side pocket rather than letting it swing freely against hard surfaces.
• Smooth Tension Adjustment: Avoid "yanking" your crossbody cord roughly through the adjustable toggles. A smooth, steady slide protects both the cord weave and the metal fittings.

2. Phone Charms & Wristlets

Statement phone charms and wristlets bring extra personality and security, but they need gentle handling to stay gorgeous.

• Jewellery Treatment: Like fine jewellery, beaded wristlets and decorative metal charms should avoid direct contact with water, perfume, hairspray, and hand sanitizers.
• Decorative vs. Heavy Lifting: While wristlets provide a handy safety grip for your phone while holding coffee or keys, avoid aggressively swinging your heavy device purely by the wristlet cord, as excessive force can stress the string tension or attachment points over time.
• Keeping Beads & Cord Clean: Wipe acrylic, beaded, or metallic charms with a soft dry cloth. If woven wristlet cords pick up dirt, spot-clean delicately with a damp cotton bud.

3. Universal Lanyard Inserts

Our universal phone inserts slide seamlessly inside your case to turn any standard phone cover into a crossbody hero.

• Proper Setup: Slide the ultra-slim insert pad inside the back of your phone cover, feed the loop through the charging port opening, and pop your device into place. Ensure your phone cover fits snugly around all four corners.
• Regular Inspection: Periodically check the loop element for signs of wear, fraying, or stress—especially if you regularly swap out heavy metal chain straps or frequently clip and unclip hardware.
• Cleaning: Wipe the insert pad with a dry or lightly damp cloth when cleaning out dust inside your phone case. Avoid harsh chemical solvents or rubbing alcohol on the fabric/TPU pad, as this can weaken the bonded loop layers.

4. Phone Covers (Silicone, Clear & Magnetic)

• Light vs. Dark Colour Covers: Lighter shade covers (such as pastels, cream, or nude) show everyday dirt, skin oils, and dye transfer faster than darker covers. Be particularly mindful of placing light-coloured covers in dark denim jeans pockets or against unwashed dyed fabrics, as denim dye transfer can permanently stain lighter materials.
• Clear Phone Covers & Natural Discoloration: Clear covers are fantastic for showing off your device, but exposure to daily UV sunlight, heat, and natural skin oils will cause clear TPU/silicone material to develop a natural yellowish tint over time. To slow this process down, keep your clear cover out of direct, prolonged sunlight and wipe it down regularly with a microfibre cloth.
• Silicone Covers Cleaning Method: Wipe regularly with a damp, lint-free cloth. For stubborn stains or oil buildup, make a gentle paste using warm water, 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, and 1 tablespoon bicarbonate of soda. Gently rub (don't scrub) onto the phone cover, let it sit for 15–30 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and air dry.
• Magnetic Covers: Always ensure the interior of your magnetic case is clean and free of dust or grit before snapping it onto your device. Trapped micro-particles can cause fine scratches on your phone's glass back over time. Wipe the magnetic ring area gently with a dry cloth to maintain a strong magnetic connection.

5. Local Genuine Leather Bags, Purses & Wallets

Leather is a natural material that "breathes" and develops a rich patina over time. Follow these steps to ensure your piece ages beautifully:

Routine Maintenance

• Weekly Dusting: Use a soft, dry cloth once a week to remove surface dust.
• Conditioning: Every 4 to 6 months, apply a high-quality leather conditioner. This is essential in South Africa’s drier inland climates (like Gauteng) to prevent the leather from drying out or cracking.

Handling Spills & Storage

• Water & Rain: If caught in a summer thundershower, immediately blot water away with a dry towel. Never use a hairdryer, heater, or direct sun to speed up drying—let it dry naturally at room temperature.
• Oils & Grease: Dab immediately with a dry cloth. Do not apply water, as this can spread oil stains into the porous leather.
• Breathable Storage: Never store your leather bag in a plastic bag or sealed container. Store in a breathable cotton dust bag so the leather can breathe. Stuff with acid-free tissue paper or a clean cotton t-shirt to maintain its shape when not in use.

The WOTM Promise: We build functional, stylish gear for women who don't sit still. Give your accessories a little love and they'll be your trusted daily sidekick for years to come!