Keeping that band on your Apple Watch clean can be a hassle, am I right? Believe me, I know—after wearing mine daily for months, the gunk definitely builds up. But have no fear! I put together this handy cleaning guide so you can get your Apple Watch band looking fresh again.
I‘ll walk you through a simple 5-step cleaning process, whether you‘ve got one of the basic sport bands or a fancy leather or metal one. I‘ve got ya covered. Just grab some water, a toothbrush, and maybe some soap, and we‘ll have that baby shining in no time.
Here‘s a quick peek at what we‘ll cover:
- Safely removing the band from your watch
- Inspecting for icky gunk in the crevices
- Cleaning based on what material your band is made of
- Scrubbing the watch body itself
- Reattaching your squeaky clean band
I‘ll also share some pro cleaning tips I got straight from the geniuses at the Apple store. Between you and me, those folks see some nasty watches, so they know their stuff!
Okay, let‘s get down to business…
Step 1: Pop That Puppy Open
The first thing we need to do is remove your Apple Watch band so we can really get in the nooks and crannies of both the band and watch.
According to Apple, here‘s how you safely remove an Apple Watch band:
- Place your watch face down on a flat surface (use a towel to avoid scratches).
- Find the two release buttons on the underside of the band near where it connects.
- Press both buttons at the same time.
- While pressing, slide the band ends out of their slots until it detaches.
It should just pop right off once you hit those release buttons. Set aside your watch body for later.
Pro Tip: Run a lint roller over your watch band before cleaning to pick up dust and pet hair. The gunk comes right off!
Step 2: Let‘s Investigate This Band
Now we can really inspect your band to locate problem areas, especially in places where moisture and gunk accumulate:
- The part that attaches to your watch
- Crevices along the band
- Textured surfaces like hole or grooves
According to the geniuses, bands with holes or metal parts need extra attention because stuff loves wedging itself in there. Leather and fabric bands absorb more sweat and skin oils over time too.
Here‘s a table comparing the water resistance of Apple Watch models:
| Apple Watch Model | Water Resistance Rating |
|---|---|
| Series 1-3 | WR50 |
| Series 4-5 | WR50M |
| Series 6-8 | WR50M |
As you can see, even the earliest models can withstand splashes and brief washing. But prolonged soaking can cause issues. We‘ll keep that in mind as we clean.
Use a dry cotton swab, toothpick, or toothbrush to gently dislodge anything lodged in there. For stubborn gunk like dried sweat or lotion, hold just the band under warm running water while scrubbing.
Step 3. Know Your Band, Know Your Cleaner
The way you clean depends a lot on what material your Apple Watch band is made of:
For Metal Bands
Whether aluminum, stainless steel, or titanium, water and mild soap are your friends here according to Apple‘s guidelines. Gently scrub under warm running water with a soft brush then pat completely dry. Avoid harsh chemicals that can react with metal over time.
For Fabric, Silicone or Plastic Bands
These non-metal, non-leather bands do well with mild soap and water. Apply a tiny drop of handsoap to a damp cloth and rub trouble spots. Rinse thoroughly before drying.
For Leather Bands
Leather is delicate – getting it wet can dry it out over time and cause cracking. Stick to wiping it down with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. If you notice dirt in cracks or crevices, use a dry soft-bristle brush to lift it away, then wipe clean.
As for third-party leather, fabrics or metals, contact the manufacturer for care recommendations. When in doubt, avoid water or harsh cleaners to stay on the safe side.
See the difference in techniques? Now let‘s clean your watch body…
Step 4: Time to Clean That Watch
With the band safely out of the way, cleaning the watch itself is a breeze. Remember, Apple recommends against soaking the watch body or using any cleaning solutions.
For regular cleaning, a damp lint-free cloth is all you need:
- Dampen a microfiber cloth with fresh water and wring thoroughly to eliminate dripping.
- Gently wipe down all exterior surfaces of your Apple Watch case. Get those grooves along the band attachment slots too.
- Use a dry portion of cloth to absorb any lingering moisture so it doesn‘t seep places we don‘t want it.
- Let your watch air dry fully before strapping the band back on.
For occasional deep cleaning, wrap cotton swabs, a soft-bristle brush, or toothpicks in the damp cloth to scrub problematic nooks where dust accumulates like strap grooves and button edges according to Apple. Just be extremely gentle to avoid any scratches.
Rotating accessories like the Digital Crown also get gunked up over time. Carefully rinse under warm gently running water while rotating the crown to flush out trapped particles. Continue rotating all around as it dries to prevent residual water seeping into cracks.
Okay, now we‘re in the home stretch…let‘s reunite this beautiful, clean watch!
Step 5: Snap That Sucker Back In Place
Assuming both parts are totally dry, here‘s how you reattach your Apple Watch band:
- Place watch flat on a soft surface with screen facing down. Protect that precious glass!
- Orient the band so the side with letters/numbers faces upwards.
- Line up one end of the band with its slot on the watch body.
- Gently and firmly press the band end flush against the watch until it clicks securely into place. Repeat on other side.
- Give the band a final spin around the wrist area to check for any lingering moisture. Get that with a dry cloth then flip it over to admire your handiwork!
There you have it my friend! With some regular TLC, you can keep your Apple Watch band looking brand new for years of unreliable service. Let me know if you have any other questions!
