How Often Should You Clean Your Smartwatch?
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Whether you're an Apple Watch fan, an Android user carrying a Pixel, or someone just getting started with a Fitbit, there's never been a better time to buy a fitness tracker or smartwatch .
Although they differ in features, compatibility and price, the types of sensors and tracking functions once reserved for $500 devices have been democratized in favor of more affordable alternatives. And since many of them have longer battery life, it's understandable that you'll want to use them more often.
This raises some hygiene issues, as wearing a tracker on your wrist for several days in a row can cause problems, making cleaning a priority for all users.
Here's how often you should clean your smartwatch and how to do it safely.
Why should you clean your smartwatch?
After this course, an entrance to the gym or the idea that it was in the room, the previous one decided that the place to insert our potential source was the same as the shower, the sour, the sale and so on to to relieve the rest.
The problem is that you can't pick up a personal device like a smartwatch or fitness tracker for days. This means that sweat, bacteria and more will stick to your device and bracelet for several days. With silicone options, it can be harder to notice, but material can also start to smell bad soon.
A study from Florida Atlantic University found that Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and Enterobacteriaceae are the most common pathogens found on smartwatch straps. Many of the bacteria discovered during testing can be linked to blood clots, urinary tract infections, and more, highlighting the need to keep your activity tracker clean.
How often should you clean your smartwatch?
It's a completely personal decision, but in our opinion, we recommend taking your watch off to check it at least once a week, especially if you're a fitness addict and exercise fairly regularly.
This often makes cleaning less of a chore. Depending on your activity tracker, you may associate the need to clean it with charging.
For example, this writer has an Apple Watch Ultra, and while I do a deeper cleaning once a week, I tend to give the screen a quick clean every day and wipe the bottom every few days while it's charging.
How to clean your smartwatch
Smartwatches and fitness trackers are more durable than ever, but there are still a few things to consider when washing your tracker.
On the one hand, if there are any signs of physical damage that could expose the internal workings, it is best to avoid water, although in this case we usually recommend discussing a repair or replacement when possible to avoid further safety concerns. avoid.
Apple recommends not using "soap, detergents, abrasives, compressed air, ultrasonic cleaning, or external heat sources" to clean your Apple Watch. Instead, the company recommends cleaning your Apple Watch with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. If necessary, lightly dampen the cloth with cold water.
Not surprisingly, Google recommends a similar method for maintaining your Pixel Watch. Instead of using soap or other chemicals, Google recommends using "soft water" and "soap-free detergent" to clean the tape.
Fitbit says you should only use "soft water and a soap-free cleanser (such as Cetaphil)" to clean the band. Interestingly, Fitbit recommends cleaning the charging contacts on the back of your fitness tracker with fresh water and a toothbrush to "make sure they stay bronze or gold."
Conversely, Garmin recommends against cleaning the slots on your watches with a toothbrush, especially on devices with cavities for speakers and microphones. Instead, the laptop giant recommends rinsing off excess dirt with water or using a damp, lint-free cloth to clean.
Samsung took a more ambiguous route, suggesting that you clean your wrist and watch band with a "soft, lint-free cloth and dry thoroughly" after exercising or sweating.
This is the best way to clean the different parts of your smartwatch:
a screen
As with a TV, phone or tablet, take a microfiber cloth and gently wipe the screen. As with any device, avoid chemicals coming into contact with the fabric.
Belt
Many trackers now have removable straps, making things much easier. Once removed, you can clean the silicone band with water and a small brush (or an extra toothbrush) to clean the crevices that hold it together.
For leather straps, you may want to look for more specific solutions, but there are different cleaning products available depending on the type of leather.
the body
Most of the dirt, sweat and other deposits are found under the watch. In most cases, you can clean your (waterproof) smartwatch under running water and remove dirt with a soft toothbrush.
