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Cleaning and disinfecting our activity bracelet or smartwatch must become one of our priority routines so that the device works correctly for as long as possible. At the end of the day, it is a gadget that we wear almost 24 hours a day and that is exposed to constantly getting dirty, especially when we do sports.
Whether we are thinking of buying a smartwatch or an activity bracelet this Christmas or we already have one, it is important that we keep the device clean after carrying out a sports activity and also after daily use. At the end of the day, it is a gadget that accompanies us practically all day and that is very prone to getting dirty. Depending on the model, each manufacturer issues maintenance and cleaning tips of these wearables, but below we are going to explain some basic steps and aspects that you have to take into account to clean them without causing them any damage.
They are the devices that get the most dirty
A bracelet or smartwatch are devices that we always carry with us. We have it close, in our hands, wherever we go. Therefore, if it makes sense to wash our hands frequently, it makes the same sense to clean the wearables that we wear on our wrist.
Our smartwatch is capable of measuring our physical activity, helps us to communicate and can be a means of payment. Aspects that mean that going to the gym, making a call or paying with it become actions that expose you to contamination and dirt. If we don’t clean it often, it can stop working properly or be a source of germs. For example, coinciding with the beginning of the pandemic, brands such as Apple updated their cleaning criteria of their products.
Rubbing alcohol
As we mentioned before, Apple recommends cleaning your smart watches by using the isopropyl alcohol, about 70% concentration, gently rubbing the surface of the watch. He also recommends the use of disinfectant wipes that contain this solution. Although we do not have a brand smartwatch, we can apply these recommendations to activity wristbands or smart watches from other brands.
While Apple’s recommendations are specific to Apple brand products, most manufacturers use similar materials to make their smartwatch or activity wristband models. Most smartphones are made of glass, nylon, and stainless steel. Therefore, recommendations that we will do next can be applied to a variety of models and brands. In this case, every cleaning routine must be carried out being aware that the responsibility for the result is ours.
Steps to follow
If the brand of your device comes with cleaning and disinfection instructions, follow them. If not, you can follow these recommendations:
- The first thing we have to do before starting to clean our smartwatch or activity bracelet is turn it off and remove it from the charger.
- Then remove the strap from the device. If the watch or activity bracelet is waterproof, wash it with warm water (without soap) to be able to remove the maximum amount of dirt before proceeding to disinfect it.
- Cleaning will have to be done with a lint-free or abrasive cloth. You can moisten it with a little warm water and rub it lightly adding a little isopropyl alcohol in a 70% concentration.
Products to avoid
Once we finish cleaning and disinfecting our activity bracelet or smartwatch, it is important that we dry it completely without leaving any type of moisture. Abrasive materials, soaps, cleaning products, compressed air, external heat sources or ultrasonic cleaning should be avoided at all costs, as they can cause damages on our watch or activity bracelet.
On the other hand, if we have a leather strap, it is not at all advisable to submerge them in water because if you do, you will damage it. The correct way to clean a leather strap is with a non-abrasive (microfiber) cloth that is lint-free and slightly dampened under running water. As with the watch or activity tracker, the straps also have to dry completely before reassembling.
