How to clean an Apple Watch band and make it look like new
while we wear them best apple watchDay after day, it’s no wonder the band eventually shows signs of wear and tear, leaving us wondering how to clean an Apple Watch band. Stains and smears from our fingers can show up on silicone ones – even more so if you’ve opted for a lighter strap color such as white, pink or yellow. Finally, those made of leather or nylon also need to be cleaned, since sweat is absorbed by our wrists on a daily basis.
Luckily, there are methods you can use to clean that up The Best Apple Watch Bands. Whether you’re dealing with a stain or a smelly band, you can get it as good as new again. Here we’ll walk you through what you need to do, step-by-step, and walk you through the best methods, whether your strap is made of silicone, leather, or even stainless steel. How to clean an Apple Watch strap.
How to Clean an Apple Watch Band
1. Remove Tape — The first thing you need to do is remove your strap from the watch face. You can do this by turning your watch over; If you look closely, there are two thin buttons on the bottom of the display near each of the bands. Press and hold one of the buttons, and then slide out the adjacent band. Repeat with the other side to completely remove your band. Make sure you place your Apple Watch screen in a safe place while you clean the band.
For detailed information on how to do this, see our guide to How to change your Apple Watch band.
2. Consider your band’s material —- Before you get your cleaning supplies, it’s important to confirm what material the tape is made of. The recommended cleaning method depends on this. Apple bands come in all sorts of materials, including stainless steel, silicone rubber, and even carbon fiber. If you’re not sure what the band is made up of, you can always refer to it Apple (opens in new tab) for clarification.
3. Start cleaning — Now that you know what you’re dealing with. Follow the appropriate cleaning method:
silicone
For silicone-based tapes such as B. the solo loop, and variations of silicone, such. B. Fluoroelastomer (this includes the Ocean Band and the Sport Band), Apple (opens in new tab) recommends cleaning the band with a microfiber cloth first. Microfiber is an excellent material as it is soft yet effective at trapping germs and dirt. If needed, you can also dampen this cloth with water for extra cleaning power.
For particularly stubborn stains, you can also use a gentle, hypoallergenic hand soap such as ATTITUDE Natural Hand Soap ($9.73, Amazon (opens in new tab)). Just be careful not to use anything stronger, or it could damage the tape. When you’re done, wash away the soap residue and dry it with a fresh microfiber towel. Then allow it to air dry thoroughly before re-attaching.
If your microfiber towels have seen better days, be sure to stop by How to clean a microfiber cloth.
leather
If you’re dealing with a leather strap, Apple recommends a slightly different method. First you can wipe the leather with a microfiber cloth – you can even dampen the cloth with water for a stronger effect. When it comes to leather, remember that you should always follow the grain when cleaning. However, you should not immerse the leather strap in water or even hold it under running water. Leather is not water-resistant, so you could damage or discolor the strap.
Apple then recommends allowing the wristband to dry completely before reattaching it. However, avoid leaving the tape in direct sunlight or even in a hot environment as this can dry out and tear the material. Also make sure that the room is not too humid, otherwise mold can form in the leather.
When it comes to leather, this material naturally develops a patina over time. So don’t be surprised if the color slowly fades in everyday life. This is to be expected, but if you want to reduce the appearance of stains, avoid exposing the leather to residues such as perfumes and wrist oils. Also, avoid wearing your leather bracelet to the gym if you want less exposure to sweat. You can also use leather oils or conditioners to condition the material every 3-6 months with a product like Leather Honey Leather Conditioner ($19.99, Amazon (opens in new tab)).
If you have other leather items that need cleaning, be sure to check out our guide how to clean leather.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is another popular material for Apple Watch straps, but when it looks dull and dingy, it’s difficult to clean. Use the wrong cleaning products and you could scratch or even scuff the surface. So, be careful with this cleaning method.
Apple recommends simply wiping the band with a microfiber cloth, dampening the cloth with just water if necessary. You should not use abrasive cleaners for this task as it could cause damage. Dry your band as best as you can with a dry microfiber towel when you’re done, then allow any remaining water to air dry before reapplying.
If you’re dealing with stubborn stains, we have a few suggestions for you how to clean stainless steel. These are everyday household products such as dish soap, baking soda, vinegar and olive oil. However, if you wish, you can also buy special stainless steel cleaning cloths, e.g. B. the Hagerty stainless steel cleaning cloth ($14.72, Amazon (opens in new tab)).
nylon and polyester
Nylon and polyester webbing such as Trail Loop, Sport Loop and Alpine Loop follow the same instructions as silicone. Wash with a damp microfiber cloth, if necessary with a mild detergent. Then rinse and dry as best you can with a fresh microfiber cloth.
These materials will soak up residual water, so it’s best not to submerge them or hold them under a running faucet during this process. The wetter the tape, the longer it will take to dry. Thoroughly dry your tape by leaving it in the sunlight for several hours, or ideally overnight, before reapplying it. Make sure there is sufficient air circulation when drying. If you’re washing a soft fabric strap, remember that unless you have a spare strap, you might not be able to wear your Apple Watch for several hours once it dries.
It’s worth noting that this guide also applies to the Braided Solo Loop Band, which is braided from a combination of polyester yarn and silicone thread. While these ribbons can look a lot more complicated in their woven state, there’s obviously a lot more opportunity for germs to get trapped in every crevice of the weave. You can use a soft-bristled manual toothbrush to reach and clean these gaps, such as B. These Amazon Basics Clean Plus Toothbrushes ($5.18, Amazon (opens in new tab)). Don’t forget to also focus on the underside of the belt as that’s where the germs have collected.
All other materials and components
For all other types of straps, as well as the clasps and buckles, Apple recommends wiping them clean with a plain microfiber cloth, dampening the cloth with water beforehand if necessary. Then dry them with a dry microfiber cloth (subsequently allow them to air dry if any residual water remains) before attaching them back to your Apple Watch.
Remember that for non-Apple products, follow the alternative manufacturer’s care instructions for best results.
There you have it, your Apple Watch should look as clean as the day you bought it. To keep it looking flawless for longer, follow these tips:
How to keep your Apple Watch band cleaner for longer
- If possible, avoid wearing the band during strenuous activity. This avoids welding contact. If you enjoy wearing your Apple Watch to the gym, make sure the band is cleaned and given time to breathe when you’re done working out.
- Avoid contact with perfume, oils, or anything that will be applied directly to your skin.
- Don’t wear the watch to bed at night – we sweat a lot when we sleep.
- Get in the habit of cleaning the belt when needed to keep dirt from building up.
Next: How to clean AirPods quickly and safely.
And to keep your other Apple products looking clean, here’s how to clean an AirPods case and MacBook screen.
For more cleaning tips, tricks, and guides, check out How to Clean a Baking Sheet in 3 Easy Steps (opens in new tab) to make it like new. And to keep your kitchen looking sparkling, check out our guides on how to clean a microwave, how to clean an oven, and how to clean a garbage disposal.
If you’re looking to tidy up a bit and have messy cords lying around, you can check out how I used this simple hack to tame my tangled box of cords.