No matter if it’s sweaty after a workout or full of sunscreen from a day on the beach, at some point you’ll think: ‘How the hell do I wash my Apple Watch band?’ The answer: it depends on the material you’re wearing. Generally speaking, you’ll be safe cleaning your band with the same kind of non-abrasive, lint-free cloth you get with the free glasses (from optical shops, taxi windows).
How to clean Apple Watch leather straps
A leather bracelet is a fantastic accessory for cool class and comfort, but when you’re a fitness enthusiast, there are better options. Leather straps do not repel water, so after an especially sweaty session cleaning your leather effectively can be really tricky. Never immerse your leather strap in water and avoid heating it from the outside.
Remove your Apple Watch band, then wipe it gently with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. If necessary, moisten the cloth slightly with fresh water, taking care not to linger with moisture in any one area.
Let the bracelet air dry before you reattach it to your Apple Watch.
Like a beige leather couch, leather straps can also pick up stains, especially from lotions, oil or rubbing your favourite jeans on the lug’s band, though clear coat helps. Some third-party retailers recommend warm, soapy water for stains, but Apple doesn’t recommend it. Your dealer doesn’t either, probably.
Leather products are touchy but, if you are in the habit of buying high-end bags or traditional watches, you are probably already carrying a leather accessory.
How to clean silicone and sports Apple Watch bands
It’s not possible to fill those rings without sweating. For this reason, training is almost always advertised as a necessary activity. Fitbit or other synthetic rubber and silicone straps are often marketed this way, so cleaning is top of mind. Water-resistant and sweat-resistant, these materials can be washed with soap and warm water.
To keep your Apple Watch clean and dry, use a lint-free cloth to wipe the band and hardware.
If you need to clean it more thoroughly, rinse it with warm water and a small amount of hand soap.
When your Apple Watch band is wet, dry it with a dry, non-abrasive, lint-free cloth before you put the band back on the Apple Watch.
How to clean Apple Watch metal bands
With various metal straps, your Apple Watch will transform into exactly what you need it to be for a special occasion, or simply fit in with the dress code at your office. When cleaning high-end bracelets, you will want to make sure that your cloth is completely clean of any dirt or debris that could potentially scratch the metal.
Take off your Apple Watch band and carefully wipe the band and watches with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. To clean, you can dampen the cloth with warm water, if necessary.
Wipe it dry with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth before you properly reattach it to your Apple Watch.
How to clean nylon Apple Watch bands
You can buy woven nylon straps for cheap or extremely expensive, and depending on what you’ve spent on yours, I’d advise some caution.
Remove the band on your Apple Watch and wipe it with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. If needed, dampen the cloth with “slightly damp” warm water.
Let the bracelet air dry before you reattach it to your Apple Watch.
Cleaning a braided solo loop
The polyester thread that makes up Apple’s Braided Solo Loop is, in fact, braided around silicone threads and creates such a pattern that you know it’s just going to pick up grime. Owners advise using a soft toothbrush with warm water to clean out the patterns of tape, at your own risk. Apple helps by recommending only that you use a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth moistened if needed – doing otherwise can void your one-year limited warranty.
When your Apple Watch goes on the fritz, the company suggests taking the band off and wiping it down with a soft, lint-free cloth, lightly dampened with warm water if need be.
Let the bracelet air dry before you reattach it to your Apple Watch.
How to clean the Apple Watch yourself
Make sure your device is unplugged and turned off before you wipe it down. If you use an Apple Watch with a non-waterproof wristband, be sure to remove the wristband too.
Wipe your Apple Watch with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. To clean it more thoroughly, lightly dampen the cloth with water or hold the watch under warm running water for about 10 to 15 seconds.
To easily remove substances like dirt or lotion, wash your Digital Crown by rotating and squeezing it under slightly warm, flowing water.
Wipe the whole thing front and back with a dry, non-abrasive, lint-free cloth.
You can, however, wipe down your watch with a Clorox cloth as well as ‘some alcohol wipes’ (but no ‘other soaps or detergents’, according to Apple).
