How to Clean a Smartwatch and Fitness Tracker

Your smartwatch counts your steps, tracks your sleep, nags you to stand up and buzzes every time someone texts. What it doesn't do is clean itself. And since you wear it 23 hours a day, through workouts, hand-washing, gardening and that hot yoga class you regret, it collects sweat, sunscreen, lotion and dead skin like nobody's business.

If your wrist is red and itchy under the band, or your watch has developed a certain aroma, it's time. Here's how to clean a smartwatch or fitness tracker, plus every kind of band, in about 10 minutes.

What You'll Need

• A soft, lint-free microfiber cloth
• 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, or 70% isopropyl alcohol
• A soft, clean toothbrush
• A wooden toothpick
• Fresh water
• Leather cleaner or conditioner, for leather bands

The Rules

• Take it off the charger and turn it off before cleaning.
• Plain water, not soap, on the watch and most bands. Soap gets trapped under the band and irritates your skin.
• No harsh cleaners. Skip glass cleaner, household sprays, bleach and anything abrasive.
• No heat. Don't dry it with a hair dryer or on a radiator.
• Check the water rating before rinsing. Most smartwatches and trackers can take a rinse, but not all.

How to Clean a Smartwatch or Fitness Tracker in 5 Steps

1. Take the Band Off

Remove the band so you can clean the watch and the band separately, and get at the grime that builds up where they connect.

2. Wipe the Screen and Case

Wipe the screen and case with a microfiber cloth lightly dampened with fresh water. If your watch is water-resistant, you can rinse it under lukewarm running tap water for a few seconds instead. Don't use a paper towel, which leaves lint and can scratch.

3. Clean the Sensor and Crevices

Flip the watch over. The heart-rate sensor on the back is where sweat, lotion and skin build up, and a dirty sensor can throw off your readings. Wipe it with a damp cloth. Loosen the gunk around the edges, buttons, crown and band slots with a soft toothbrush or a wooden toothpick. If the digital crown on your watch feels sticky, rinse it under running water for a few seconds while you turn it (water-resistant watches only).

4. Disinfect

Wipe the hard surfaces of the watch with a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe, or a cloth dampened with 70% alcohol. Avoid the openings, like the speaker and microphone holes. The alcohol dries in a minute or two.

5. Dry It Completely

Pat it dry with a microfiber cloth and let it air dry. Make sure the charging contacts on the back are completely dry before you put it on the charger. A quick wipe of the charger's contacts helps too, if it's been charging slowly.

How to Clean a Watch Band, by Material

Silicone, Rubber and Sport Bands

Rinse under lukewarm water and rub off grime with your fingers or a soft toothbrush. For a really grimy band, wipe it down with a 70% alcohol wipe, which also kills the bacteria that make it smell.

Dry it completely with a soft cloth before you put it back on. If it's been yellowed or stained by sunscreen or makeup, an alcohol wipe usually takes care of that, too.

Nylon, Woven and Fabric Bands

Fabric soaks up sweat, so these need cleaning most often. Rinse under lukewarm water and rub gently, using the toothbrush on stubborn spots. If your band's instructions allow it, you can hand-wash it with a drop of mild soap, then rinse very well. Squeeze out the water in a towel and let it air dry completely before wearing it.

Metal Bands

Metal links and mesh hide grime in every crevice. Rinse under water, scrub between the links with a soft toothbrush, then wipe with a 70% alcohol wipe. Dry thoroughly, so the clasp doesn't rust or tarnish.

Leather Bands

ever soak leather or run it under water. Wipe it with a barely damp cloth, then let it air dry away from heat. Every few months, clean it with a gentle leather cleaner, then rub in a small dab of leather conditioner and buff it off.

Test a hidden spot first so the color doesn't change. Leather bands aren't for workouts or swimming. Sweat and water stain them and make them stiff. More in my guide to how to clean leather.

How to Get Rid of a Smelly Watch Band

That sweaty-sock smell comes from bacteria feeding on sweat and skin oils trapped under the band. To get rid of it:

• Clean the band and the back of the watch, then wipe both with a 70% alcohol wipe.
• Let the band dry completely, preferably overnight, before wearing it again.
• Rotate two bands, so each one gets a chance to dry out.
• Switch to a sport band for workouts, and rinse it afterward.

If a fabric band still smells after a few cleanings, it may be time for a new one.

Itchy Wrist? Here's Why

Redness and itching under a watch band usually come from trapped sweat, soap or lotion, or a band that's too tight. Keep the band and your wrist clean and dry, loosen the band a notch, and take the watch off for a while each day.

Wash your wrist after workouts too, before you put the watch back on. If the irritation doesn't clear up, take the watch off and check with your doctor.

How Often Should You Clean a Smartwatch?

• Daily: A quick wipe of the screen and the sensor.
• After every workout: Rinse a sport band and wipe the back of the watch.
• Weekly: A full clean of the watch and band, including disinfecting.
• Every few months: Condition leather bands.

How to Clean a Smartwatch: Quick Answers

How do you clean an Apple Watch band?

For a sport band, rinse it under lukewarm water, rub it clean and dry it with a soft cloth. Wipe it with a 70% alcohol wipe to disinfect. Leather bands should only be wiped with a damp cloth, never soaked.

Can I use soap to clean my smartwatch?

Skip it. Apple and Fitbit both recommend fresh water, because soap can get trapped under the band and irritate your skin. Use a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe to disinfect.

Can I use alcohol wipes on my Fitbit or Apple Watch?

Yes. A 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe is safe on the hard surfaces of most smartwatches and fitness trackers, and on silicone, fluoroelastomer and metal bands. Avoid openings, and don't use alcohol on leather.

Why does my watch band smell?

Bacteria feeding on sweat and skin oils trapped under the band. Clean the band and the back of the watch, wipe them with alcohol, and let them dry completely before wearing.

Keep Going

Clean the rest of your tech without wrecking it with these related guides:

• How to Clean Earbuds and Headphones: Including AirPods and their case.
• How to Clean Your Phone: Clean and disinfect it without wrecking the screen.
• How to Clean a Computer: Laptop, keyboard, mouse and screen.
• How to Clean a Flat Screen TV: No streaks, no damage.
• How to Clean Leather: For leather watch bands, bags and couches.
• How to Wash Towels: So your gym towels stay soft, fluffy and absorbent.
• Cleaning for Allergies: 20 ways to reduce allergens at home.
• Household Cleaning Schedule: What to clean daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.