3 Ways to Clean Your Apple Watch Band
The Apple Watch is considered an "ultimate accessory," with features to assist in everything from tracking your physical activity to sending text messages with your voice. However, something worn on your wrist every day will inevitably accumulate dirt, sweat and dust particles. It is important to know how to keep your watch clean through everyday use, so we've compiled a list of ways to take care of the most popular watch bands.
General Care Tips
Rubber watch bands require cleaning every couple of weeks to keep the dirt and grime away. First, put a few drops of dish soap into a bowl of lukewarm water. Then, dip a cloth into the mixture and wipe down your band. If dirt is still present, remove your band from the watch and submerge it into the water for a few minutes. After soaking, remove your band from the water, lay it on a cloth and use a toothbrush to scrub in a circular motion.
Tackle any stubborn spots or stains by sprinkling a small amount of baking soda on your band or toothbrush and giving the affected areas another once over. Avoid using harsh abrasives or scouring pads on your band as it can damage the material!
Rinse off any remaining soap and/or baking soda and dry your band with cotton or a soft cloth. Make sure your band is completely dry before wearing it again to avoid causing an odor.
If you find yourself with a ripe-smelling strap, consider more frequent cleanings, less time submerged in water, taking your watch off periodically to let your skin breathe, or using the previously described baking soda and vinegar solution to clean the band in order to keep it odor-free!
Leather & Fabric Bands
Using a cloth and soapy water is a simple way to clean leather, but it is essential to do so carefully and let the leather air-dry overnight to avoid water damage. Consider a cleaning every one or two weeks for bands you wear continuously, and even condition the straps with a high-quality leather lotion.
Metal or Other Materials
Apple recommends using a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth to remove accumulated dirt and oil from your metal bands. If that doesn't do the trick, mix a solution of one part water and one part vinegar in a bowl, then dip a soft cloth or piece of cotton in the mixture and rub across the band to remove stubborn debris and particles. Make sure the band dries thoroughly afterwards to prevent rust! You may also consider using a high-quality metal or jewelry polish afterwards to remove any scratches and help improve shine.
UV Sanitizing
To help with cleaning more than just the surface of your Apple Watch and band, use a UV Sanitizer to provide extra protection against germs and bacteria. UV Sanitizers like Utilimedic's UV8LED will kill 99.9% of germs and bacteria in just 5 minutes.
Check out our blog post on eco-friendly cleaning products to see other safe tools and products to use around your home or office.
How do you clean a rubber watch band?
Rubber watch bands require cleaning every couple of weeks to keep the dirt and grime away. First, put a few drops of dish soap into a bowl of lukewarm water. Then, dip a cloth into the mixture and wipe down your band. If dirt is still present, remove your band from the watch and submerge it into the water for a few minutes. After soaking, remove your band from the water, lay it on a cloth and use a toothbrush to scrub in a circular motion.
How do I remove stains from my Apple watch band?
Tackle any stubborn spots or stains by sprinkling a small amount of baking soda on your band or toothbrush and giving the affected areas another once over. Avoid using harsh abrasives or scouring pads on your band as it can damage the material! Rinse off any remaining soap and/or baking soda and dry your band with cotton or a soft cloth. Make sure your band is completely dry before wearing it again to avoid causing an odor.
Why does my Apple watch band smell so bad?
If you find yourself with a ripe-smelling strap, consider more frequent cleanings, less time submerged in water, taking your watch off periodically to let your skin breathe, or using the previously described baking soda and vinegar solution to clean the band in order to keep it odor-free!