Smartwatches and fitness trackers are great for enhancing connectivity and monitoring activity in daily life, but just like any other wearable gadget, they can attract dirt. These devices may collect all kinds of particles through normal use, including but not limited to sweat, mud, lint, and dust. If cleaning them is something you have been worried about, you can relax because cleaning your smartwatch or fitness band is not a complicated exercise. Here are some tips on how to clean a smartwatch and keep it neat and sleek.
Supplies You’ll Need
To begin, let us prepare the required materials. As for what cleaning tools you may need, it depends on the smartwatch and band materials. Luckily, most of these can be found in your homes as most are everyday items.
- Clean cotton sock
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Microfiber cloth
- Toothbrush
- Distilled white vinegar
- Cotton ball
- Straight pin or toothpick
- Unused coffee filter
- Water
- All-purpose leather cleaner and conditioner (for leather bands)
- Cotton swabs (Q-Tips)
- Mild liquid soap (such as dish soap or hand soap)
Now that we have our supplies ready – let’s look at how to clean different parts of your smartwatch.
How to Clean the Screen
The screen of your smartwatch is often the first area to get dirty. To clean it effectively:
- Use a microfiber cloth: Gently wipe the screen with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. It should remove most smudges and fingerprints.
- Avoid chemical solvents: Avoid using abrasive products and cleaners like Windex or other glass cleaners on the smartwatch screen. Waterproof watches (which have a waterproof rating of 1 or more) you can rinse under lukewarm water with a drop of mild liquid soap, ideally, no more than one drop per cup of water.
- Alternative cleaning methods: If a microfiber cloth doesn’t work, try an unused coffee filter or a cotton ball lightly dampened with water. Avoid using paper towels as they can leave behind lint.
- For stubborn residue: As a last resort, mix a teaspoon of distilled white vinegar with half a cup of water. Take a clean microfiber cloth, a coffee filter, or a cotton ball, damp it in solution, and gently wipe the screen. Use this method carefully, as vinegar can be harsh.
Cleaning the Band
The material of your smartwatch band will determine the cleaning method you should use:
Leather Bands
Use a leather cleaner and conditioner: Always choose a product designed for leather, like Meltonian.
- Test first: Use a small quantity on an inconspicuous area first to check if any discoloration develops. Take the bottle, put a little on a clean white cotton cloth, and rub it onto the leather. Allow to dry, then polish with the clean sock.
- Clean the entire band: If there is no discoloration, clean the rest of the band.
Silicone Bands
- Use mild soap and water: Take warm water and add a few drops of liquid soap (like dish soap/hand soap). It is advisable to remove the band from the watch. If this is not the case, try not to soak the watch in water.
- Scrub gently: Shaving foams are effective for polishing the band and straps. Fingers or a soft cloth are useful in scrubbing the band or the surface of the wristwatch. If there are any grooves or other textured areas, use a soft toothbrush. Once done, let it dry.
Metal Bands
- Most metals: Prepare a bowl of warm soap water. Submerge the band to remove the filth and dirt, then take a toothbrush and scrub between the links. Rinse out and dry well.
- Gold bands: Clean with a jewelry cleaning solution or soak in soapy water and a bit of baking powder for 15 to 20 minutes and then gently scrub. Wash thoroughly and wipe off.
- Stainless steel bands: With half a cup of warm water and one tablespoon of distilled white vinegar. Submerge the band for 15 minutes, and using a toothbrush, scrub the area. Rinse and dry completely.
Cleaning the Nooks and Crannies
- Smartwatches often have small crevices, especially around the charging port, where dirt and lint can accumulate. Here’s how to tackle those:
- Utilize cotton swabs with isopropyl alcohol: It is good to soak a cotton swab in some isopropyl alcohol and then gently apply it on the said areas.
- Replacement tools: A cotton swab may be too bulky: For more precision, you can take the help of a toothpick and wrap it with cotton, taking care to leave the tip exposed.
- Use caution with alcohol: Don’t try to scrub screens or leather with alcohol, though you can get away with that on most other surfaces for small amounts of time.
How Often Should You Clean Your Smartwatch?
How frequently you clean your smartwatch depends on your usage and personal preference. A good rule of thumb is:
- Daily: Wipe the screen with a microfiber cloth.
- Weekly: Clean the band a few times a week, especially if you wear it during workouts.
- Occasionally: Do a deep clean every few months, depending on how dirty the watch gets.
Routine care will help not only to maintain a well-polished appearance of your smartwatch but also prolong its period of use. Cleaning the smartwatch should be easy and fast if you know how to go about it.
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Bottom Line
With these tips, no doubt your smartwatch or fitness tracker will be as good as new for the performance for a long time. Clean devices not only look good but also work better, making it worth the effort.
FAQs
How often should I wash my smartwatch?
There are recommendations to clean the screen on the smartwatch daily, clean the band several times per week, and do a proper cleaning from time to time.
Can I use soap to wash my smartwatch?
Yes, mild soap solutions such as dishwashing or hand soap. Do not use harsh chemicals and strong cleansing products.
How do I remove the Wath Moore from a smartwatch?
Try cleaning it with a soft microfiber cloth. Never use chemicals or solvent cleaning agents like Windex or 409 sprays.
What should I avoid when cleaning a leather band?
Water and alcohol are not suitable for leather watch bands. Instead, you clean and protect your leather material using leather cleaner and conditioner
Is it okay to use vinegar to clean my smartwatch?
You may use vinegar diluted with prolonged distilled white vinegar to clean up tough grey stains on screens/metal bands, but only in emergencies.
What methods apply for cleaning a watch with a stainless steel band?
Put the stainless steel band in the warm water and distilled white vinegar solution and leave it for 15 minutes. Then, use a toothbrush to scrub and remove the build-up.
What cleaner can assist you in removing dirt from the surfaces of the smartwatch?
For such cleaning, you can use a microfiber cloth, distilled white vinegar or mild liquid soap, cotton swabs, blotting, and toothbrushes.
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