Your Apple Watch is filthy. Here's how to clean it.

An explainer on how to clean your Apple Watch.
By Truth Headlam  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
Apple Watch Series 9 on the table
Apple Watch Series 9 on the table. Credit: Mashable

Getting a new Apple Watch is fun, but learning how to clean your Apple Watch is not — unless you're getting easy-to-follow tips from Mashable.

We're going to tell you how to clean your Apple Watch properly, so you don't have to think about getting a new smartwatch just yet.


How to clean Apple Watch screen

Besides wanting to earn style points for a sleek and stylish timepiece, cleaning your watch and band regularly and thoroughly to get rid of build up of dirt, bacteria and grime is just good hygiene.

Apple Watch Series 9 display
Credit: Mashable

To keep the display squeaky clean and "like new," you’ll need a nonabrasive lint-free cloth (so your screen isn’t scratched or damaged). And remember: never soak your watch or dry them with heat. 

Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
  1. Turn off your Apple Watch and remove it from the charger.

  2. Remove your band, especially if it’s leather.

  3. Dampen (not soak) your cloth with water. Do not use soap.

  4. Gently wipe down the screen with the aforementioned cloth.

  5. Dry your watch with a dry cloth.

How to clean Apple Watch band

There are different kinds of Apple watch bands, which means they all have slightly different instructions for cleaning. 

Apple Watch Series 9 on a table
Credit: Mashable

Before you do anything else, remove your band from your watch. 

Leather bands and Hermès knit bands:

  1. Wipe with a cloth.

  2. If needed, lightly dampen the cloth with water. Don’t use soap and don't soak the band.

  3. Let it air dry completely before wearing it and keep it away from heat, high temperatures and direct sunlight.

Solo Loop, Braided Solo Loop, Sport Band, Sport Loop, Ocean Band, Alpine Loop, and Trail Loop, Hermès Rubber bands:

  1. Wipe with a cloth.

  2. If needed, lightly dampen the cloth with water. You can also use a mild hypoallergenic hand soap.

  3. Dry the band with a cloth.

Woven (Apple brand and Hermès), Magnetic link and Buckle bands:

  1. Create a cleaning solution: 1 tsp or 5 mL of liquid laundry detergent and 1 cup or 250 mL of water.

  2. Dip your cloth into the solution and gently rub the cloth on your band for one minute.

  3. Clean with a separate damp cloth.

  4. Dry the band with a cloth and make sure to remove excess moisture.

  5. Make sure you let your band dry for one day before using it again.

Don’t forget to check if your band is water resistant (woven bands and leather bands aren’t). If your band type is not listed, just stick to cleaning with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth, dampen if necessary — and dry with another, lint-free cloth (or follow the cleaning instructions that came with the band).

It's recommended that you wash your Apple Watch band as often as you do laundry: about once every one to two weeks.

Topics Fitness Tech

Truth Headlam
Truth Headlam
Tech & Culture Fellow

Truth Headlam is a journalist who enjoys following the money and diverse storytelling. She reports on tech and culture for Mashable. You can find her sharing her favorite articles on Instagram @truthheadlam.


Recommended For You
Apple Clean Up vs. Google Magic Eraser vs. Samsung Galaxy AI: Which one erases objects better?
A split image of a room inside the Vanderbilt Museum with the owl circled

Apple Watch Series 10 unveiled: What's new for Apple's thinnest, lightest watch yet?
The new Apple Watch Series 10.

How to clean your laptop screen
Close-up of unrecognizable woman in kitchen cleaning laptop screen with disinfectant wipe

Apple Watch 8 vs. Apple Watch SE: How do they compare?
apple watch series 8 and apple watch se with versus between them


Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 19
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 19
a phone displaying Wordle

NYT Strands hints, answers for September 19
A game being played on a smartphone.

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 19
Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues

'Daily Show' goes after Trump's new crypto scheme with a brutal parody ad
A man in a suit stands in front of a blank background, gesturing with his arms wide.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!