How to Effectively Clean and Disinfect Your Smartwatch or Fitness Tracker
The smartwatch or fitness tracker you’re currently sporting might be helping you keep track of your fitness journey, but it’s also accumulating a considerable amount of dirt and grime. In fact, a 2020 experiment discovered that a smartwatch can be dirtier than common items such as smartphones, gaming controllers, keyboards, and shockingly, 37 times dirtier than your toilet seat. If the thought of this makes you cringe, worry not! Cleaning and disinfecting your smartwatch or fitness tracker is a simple process, and you probably have all the necessary items at home.
Cleaning Your Apple Watch, Fitbit, or Samsung Smartwatch
- Remove the Device: Start by taking off your smartwatch or fitness tracker from your wrist or the charging dock.
- Turn it Off and Remove Bands: Turn off the device and detach any bands or straps.
- Gather Cleaning Supplies: Most smartwatches can be effectively cleaned using common household items like a microfiber cloth, cotton swab, water, isopropyl alcohol, or disinfecting wipes.
- Wipe with a Microfiber Cloth: Gently wipe down the device with a damp microfiber cloth. The cloth can be dipped in either water, isopropyl alcohol, or a diluted combination of both.
- Address Buildup in Ports and Speaker: If there’s any buildup in the ports, speaker, or if the Digital Crown is stuck (in the case of Apple Watch), lightly run warm water over the device to flush out debris.
- Clean Edges, Creases, and Buttons: For any gunk buildup around edges, creases, or buttons, use a damp cotton swab or a soft toothbrush to clean the area gently.
- Dry Thoroughly: Once you’ve finished cleaning, dry the device thoroughly with a soft cloth.
Cleaning Your Smartwatch or Fitness Bands
Don’t neglect the bands – they can accumulate a surprising amount of dirt, sweat, and grime. Here’s how to clean them effectively:
- Remove the Bands: Detach the bands from the device.
- Use a Toothbrush or Cleaning Brush: Use a damp toothbrush or a designated cleaning brush to gently remove any buildup in the crevices of the straps.
- Clean Non-Leather or Metal Straps: For bands that aren’t made of leather or metal, wipe them down with a mixture of soap and water.
Remember that regular cleaning of your smartwatch or fitness tracker is essential to maintain hygiene and prevent skin irritations. Cleaning your bands is equally important, as these areas can harbor a significant amount of dirt and bacteria.
Reviewed-Approved Laundry Recommendations
As you embark on your cleaning journey, consider using products and tools recommended by Reviewed, a platform that assists in finding the best products and optimizing the performance of your existing belongings. By following these cleaning steps, you’ll not only ensure the longevity of your smartwatch or fitness tracker but also maintain a healthier and more hygienic wearable device.
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