New research published this summer looking at the contamination of smartwatch bands found that 95% were covered with bacteria. And surprising the researchers, the results found 85% of the bands studied had Staphylococcus spp which can cause Staph infections.
The researchers were particularly concerned about the Pseudomonas spp and enteric bacteria they found which can cause a number of serious health issues.
- Related: How to clean your Apple Watch and Do’s and don’ts for cleaning your iPhone
Tip: To make a habit of routine band cleaning, add a recurring reminder to your calendar or to-do list right now.
How to clean Apple Watch bands
Band cleaning DON’Ts
Per Apple’s support document:
- Don’t clean your band with an abrasive cleaner or cloth
- Don’t use Clorox wipes or alcohol on leather or fabric bands
- Don’t soak leather bands in water or cleaners
- Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or bleach
Best items to clean Apple Watch bands
- Clean microfiber cloth or similar
- Clorox wipe or 70% alcohol only on Apple’s Solo Loop, Sport Band, Nike Sport Band, Ocean Band, or metal band (or similar silicone, rubber, or metal bands)
- Flosser pick
- UV sanitizer
Steps to clean Apple Watch bands
- Remove the band from your Apple Watch (refresher here)
- Wipe it down with a clean microfiber cloth, slightly dampen your cloth with clean water if needed
- Apple notes you can use a mild soap on silicone, rubber, or fabric bands
- To disinfect silicone, rubber, or metal bands, use a Clorox wipe or 70% isopropyl/ethyl alcohol on your cloth and wipe it down
- To disinfect a band of any material, you can use a UV sanitizer – but keep in mind this may age leather bands more quickly or fade fabric bands more quickly
- Use a flosser pick to break up and remove gunk from tough-to-reach spots
- Blue Tack is another way to remove dirt and gunk from links, band lugs, etc.
- Dry your band with a cloth and let leather bands completely dry before reconnecting them to your Apple Watch
Apple highlights you should follow any specific cleaning directions that came with third-party Apple Watch bands.
