Your Apple Watch is filthy. Here's how to clean it.
Getting a new Apple Watch is fun, but learning how to clean your Apple Watch is not — unless you're getting easy-to-follow tips from Mashable.
We're going to tell you how to clean your Apple Watch properly, so you don't have to think about getting a new smartwatch just yet.
How to clean Apple Watch screen
Besides wanting to earn style points for a sleek and stylish timepiece, cleaning your watch and band regularly and thoroughly to get rid of build up of dirt, bacteria and grime is just good hygiene.
To keep the display squeaky clean and "like new," you’ll need a nonabrasive lint-free cloth (so your screen isn’t scratched or damaged). And remember: never soak your watch or dry them with heat.
Turn off your Apple Watch and remove it from the charger.
Remove your band, especially if it’s leather.
Dampen (not soak) your cloth with water. Do not use soap.
Gently wipe down the screen with the aforementioned cloth.
Dry your watch with a dry cloth.
How to clean Apple Watch band
There are different kinds of Apple watch bands, which means they all have slightly different instructions for cleaning.
Before you do anything else, remove your band from your watch.
Leather bands and Hermès knit bands:
Wipe with a cloth.
If needed, lightly dampen the cloth with water. Don’t use soap and don't soak the band.
Let it air dry completely before wearing it and keep it away from heat, high temperatures and direct sunlight.
Solo Loop, Braided Solo Loop, Sport Band, Sport Loop, Ocean Band, Alpine Loop, and Trail Loop, Hermès Rubber bands:
Wipe with a cloth.
If needed, lightly dampen the cloth with water. You can also use a mild hypoallergenic hand soap.
Dry the band with a cloth.
Woven (Apple brand and Hermès), Magnetic link and Buckle bands:
Create a cleaning solution: 1 tsp or 5 mL of liquid laundry detergent and 1 cup or 250 mL of water.
Dip your cloth into the solution and gently rub the cloth on your band for one minute.
Clean with a separate damp cloth.
Dry the band with a cloth and make sure to remove excess moisture.
Make sure you let your band dry for one day before using it again.
Don’t forget to check if your band is water resistant (woven bands and leather bands aren’t). If your band type is not listed, just stick to cleaning with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth, dampen if necessary — and dry with another, lint-free cloth (or follow the cleaning instructions that came with the band).
It's recommended that you wash your Apple Watch band as often as you do laundry: about once every one to two weeks.
Topics Fitness Tech
Truth Headlam is a journalist who enjoys following the money and diverse storytelling. She reports on tech and culture for Mashable. You can find her sharing her favorite articles on Instagram @truthheadlam.
