How to Clean Your Smartwatch Without Ruining It

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I wear my Apple Watch continuously, only removing to to charge it or when I'm showering. I wear it to sleep and to work out, under heavy sweatshirts, on the beach—basically anywhere and everywhere.

As you can imagine, the device gets dirty. But as you might also imagine, I have no interest in cleaning my expensive smartwatch in a way that might damage it. Here are the two methods I use to clean my fitness tracker without harming it—plus some other things to keep in mind when cleaning yours.

Before doing any kind of cleaning, remove your watch band to make it easier to access all of its crevices. It's also a good idea to power it off; even if it's waterproof, cleaning can result in unintended button presses.

Smartwatch cleaning method #1: Soap and water

Though the device is high tech, the simplest cleaning method isn't at all: You can use water and a drop of mild soap to help scrub away any dirt or grime. If you're confident the device is waterproof, you can actually dunk it in a bowl full of warm water and a drop or two of dish or hand soap. If it's not, or you'd rather not risk it, you can also use a q-tip or soft cloth dipped in a soapy mixture. (I prefer the q-tip because it's easier to get in and around the buttons and the crevices where the band connects to the device.)

Smart watch cleaning method #2: Isopropyl alcohol

Soap and water works fine for me when it comes to general cleaning, but from time to time, I like to use 70% isopropyl alcohol to remove oils or more serious grime. Again, I use a fresh q-tip and focus my attention on the face of the watch as well as the sensor underneath. To the extent possible, I avoid scrubbing around holes or buttons with the wet end. Instead, I use the dry end to dislodge any dirt in those areas.

Even if your watch is extremely dirty, use soap and water first. The alcohol should only be dabbed quickly on the exterior, then left to air dry. Those little alcohol pads can come in handy here.

Before and after some soap and water followed by isopropyl alcohol. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson

Different companies recommend different cleaning techniques

I use the methods above to keep my Apple Watch clean, and they're pretty broadly applicable across other devices. However, some brands get more specific about what you should or shouldn't do to clean their watches. Google Pixel users, for instance, are advised by the company not to use anything but fresh water on a damp cloth to rub the Pixel down, while Withings and Samsung recommend the same.

Why? As Samsung advises, "Do not use soap, cleaning agents, abrasive materials and compressed air when cleaning your Galaxy Watch and do not clean it with the external heat sources. Doing so may damage the Galaxy Watch. Skin irritation may be caused by soap, detergents hand sanitizers, or cleaning agents left on the Galaxy Watch." Considering the watch is waterproof, it seems the warning about skin irritation is more relevant, but as long as you rinse it well, it shouldn't be a problem.

Spend some time reading the specific information related to your own device, but if it's really dirty, consider some tech cleaning wipes. The way I see it, you're not introducing any more soap and water than you would be if you, say, took a shower or washed your dishes while wearing the watch.

Other things to keep in mind when cleaning a smart watch

If you have visible gunk in the tiny holes on your watch, gently (very gently!) try to dislodge it with a soft toothbrush or blow on it at an angle. If that doesn't work, wipe gently with a dry cloth. There really aren’t any holes big enough on an Apple Watch to cause problems, but if your device has some, be careful not to push the icky stuff further inside.

Get in the habit of running a damp cloth over your watch after a sweaty workout or before you put it on the charger to stop it from getting quite so dirty before you next clean it. Allow it to dry before you power it back on, charge it, or wear it.

You should also clean your watch band regularly, but how you do that will depend on what it’s made of. Most of mine are fabric, so they go in the washing machine, but rubber or silicone ones can be cleaned with soap and water or disinfectant. If it’s leather, wipe it with a dry cloth, then use a drop of gentle soap (like hand soap) on a damp cloth to rub any messy spots. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away any soap residue and let the leather air dry, then hit it with some leather conditioner.  

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