(Credit: OlgaMiltsova via iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Your smartwatch or fitness tracker is probably filthy. Like anything else you wear day in and day out, a smart device strapped to your wrist gets covered in sweat and lotion, clogged up with lint, and probably caked with grime.
Sure, your wearable may appear clean, but looks can be deceiving. A 2023 study found that nearly all wristbands (95%) were contaminated with bacteria. Pretty gross. The good news is, cleaning your smartwatch or fitness tracker is actually pretty simple. You just need to know a bit about your device and its materials.
For example, if you have an Apple Watch, you need to know what kind of wristband you have (silicone, stainless steel, leather, or gold) so you can pick the right cleaning supplies. It's also a good idea to check with the company on your wearable's water-resistance rating, so you know how much water your device can handle. Here's everything you need to know about cleaning up your dirty smartwatch or fitness tracker.
Supplies You Need to Clean Your Wearable Device
Let's talk about supplies first. In many cases, you won't even have to buy anything special. Many common household items will do. Depending on what kind of smartwatch you have and the material of the band, you'll need a few different things to clean them. Here's a list of possible supplies. Note that a lot of them you may already own:
- Water
- Mild liquid soap, either dish soap or hand soap
- Distilled white vinegar
- Microfiber cloth (like Apple's Polishing Cloth)
- Unused coffee filter
- Cotton ball
- All-purpose leather cleaner and conditioner
- Clean cotton sock
- Cotton swabs
- Toothbrush
- Straight pin or toothpick
- Isopropyl alcohol
(Credit: Jill Duffy)Cleaning the Screen
Smartwatch screens can be cleaned with just a microfiber cloth. Wash and hang dry the microfiber cloth from time to time, and that'll take care of any oily build-up in the cloth itself.
Never use chemical solvents on electronic screens—that means no Windex or 409 spray. If the watch is water-resistant with a rating of 1 ATM or higher, it can get it wet, so you can even dunk it in a very diluted bath of lukewarm water and liquid soap—about one drop of soap per cup of water. You really don't need much.
If you don't have a microfiber cloth, or if you notice a lot of residue that isn't coming off easily, you can take an unused coffee filter (as shown below) or a cotton ball and barely spritz it with water. Don't use a paper towel because it will leave lint behind. Gently rub the coffee filter or cotton ball on the screen, and any fingerprints or grime should come off.
If all else fails, dilute a teaspoon of distilled white vinegar into a half cup of water, dab a clean microfiber cloth, coffee filter, or cotton ball in it, and very gently wipe the screen, like you're lulling a baby to sleep by massaging its temples—that's how gentle. Only use diluted vinegar on your screen as a last resort.
(Credit: Jill Duffy)Removing Dirt and Grime From the Band
How you clean your smartwatch band depends on what kind of material you have. If you can, detach the band from your watch first. That'll make it easier to clean.
Leather
Always clean leather with a leather cleaner and conditioner. Conditioning leather both cleans and protects it. I use a brand called Meltonian. It's ideal for distressed leathers, because it's mild. Always test a small spot of the leather first with the conditioner to make sure it doesn't discolor. Shake the bottle well. Apply a small dab to an old, clean white cotton sock and rub it into the leather. Wait a few minutes for it to dry, then buff the same spot with a clean patch of the sock. If you don't see any discoloration, you can clean the rest of the band the same way.
Silicone
Silicone is known for its resiliency, but you can ruin it by cleaning with certain liquids. For example, against all intuition, a silicone-based liquid can wreak havoc on solid silicone, so I use liquid soap, diluted heavily in water instead. Add a small amount of soap—it can be dish soap like Dawn, or handwashing soap like Dial—into a bowl or a stopped-up sink. Add a little warm water. Either dunk the detached bands or submerge the whole device if it can get wet. Rub the band gently between your fingers or with a soft cloth. A toothbrush can help you clean all the little grooves. If you can't drench the watch, just dip the ends of the band in the solution to clean it. Rinse, wipe or pat the band dry, and air dry thoroughly.
(Credit: Jill Duffy)Nylon
Nylon bands are known for being bold accessories, but they also have a way of getting exceedingly gross over time. Due to the nature of the material, nylon bands tend to absorb dirt and grime, resulting in some serious stink. To give your band a washing, put a small amount of dish soap, hand soap, or laundry detergent into a bowl with cold water. You can submerge the disconnected straps or dunk the whole thing, if the device is water-resistant. Rub the band gently between your fingers, with a soft cloth, or using a toothbrush. Rinse, wipe, or pat the band dry, then air dry thoroughly. Don't place the band in a washing machine or dryer.
Metal
Metal watch bands are often the toughest to clean because they have so many chain links and other gaps where grime can get trapped. But you have a lot of options. With most metals, a dip in a bowl of water with a few drops of dish soap will loosen any grit. A quick pass with a toothbrush will finish the job. Rinse thoroughly in warm water, then pat dry and air dry completely.
To brighten up a gold band, detach it from the watch piece and clean it with a standard jewelry-cleaning solution, following the instructions on the container. Otherwise, use a mix of dish soap and water; you can also dissolve about a spoonful of baking soda into this solution and soak the band for 15 or 20 minutes, then gently scrub it. Whichever method you use, be sure to rinse the band thoroughly in clean water at the end and then dry it completely.
Stainless Steel
To clean stainless steel, you can use a tablespoon or so of distilled white vinegar in about half a cup of warm water. Detach your band from your watch and let it soak for 15 minutes. White vinegar cleans just about anything. Again, use a toothbrush to loosen any build-up, and finish with a rinse in clean water and thorough drying.
Elastic
For a stretchy band like Apple's Braided Solo Loop, simply wipe it with a clean cloth and some fresh water. Apple notes that you can use hand soap on these bands for tougher grime.
Washing the Crown
If your watch has a rotating crown button and is waterproof, you can turn it off and hold the crown under lightly running, warm water while turning it and pressing it to loosen the dirt. Don't use soap, as doing so could damage the screen. After letting the water run long enough to loosen the dirt, dry the crown with a microfiber cloth. Turn and press the crown as you dry it to ensure the space between the button and the case is moisture-free. If you're trying to clean the crown and don't have a waterproof watch, or if warm running water isn't doing the trick, proceed to the next section.
Scrubbing the Nooks and Crannies
Smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other wearable devices often have little nooks and crannies along the edges and at the charging ports that can get jammed up with dirt, grit, and lint. To clean these tiny spaces, I reach for cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol. Not everyone agrees with using alcohol for electronics, but in small doses on very specific areas, it's fine. Never use it on leather or on the screen, but most other surfaces can at least tolerate brief contact with it.
Grab a Q-Tip, dab it in isopropyl alcohol, and swab it around the tiny holes and crevices of your smartwatch. If the cotton swab doesn't fit, pull a bit of the cotton away and twist it in your fingers to make a little javelin and try again. If you still can't get the grime out, take a toothpick or straight pin, wipe it off using rubbing alcohol, and then gently scrape away any icky stuff packed in there. You can also twirl a bit of cotton onto the end of a pin or toothpick for a homemade Q-Tip alternative.
(Credit: Jill Duffy)How Often Should I Clean My Smartwatch or Fitness Tracker?
How often you clean your smartwatch or fitness tracker is a matter of preference. But the longer you wait between cleanings, the more difficult the job will likely be. I recommend that you wipe your smartwatch screen often (daily), wipe down the band a few times a week (I like to run a damp towel over the band after I get out of the shower, for example), and do a deep clean a few times during the life of the device.
And while you're at it, you might want to clean your smartphone, your phone case, or your computer keyboard.