Just like with other things smartwatches can get really dirty, so it's necessary to clean it from time to time so it can maintain that nice, clean and beautiful appearance we all love.
Maintaining a smartwatch cuts across the cleaning into how you handle that particular watch. Regular cleaning is good but day to day handling is also important.
So on this article I will also be focusing on the handling aspect of smartwatches while making sure that the functionality of the watch is not compromise and the watch is kept in better condition during and after use.
So for the start, I will be addressing the cleaning aspect of maintenance.
How to Clean a Smartwatch.
Cleaning a smartwatch shouldn't be tough. For that reason, I will try to lay out some really clear steps on cleaning the watch so it doesn't get damaged. I know it might seem daunting but doing it shouldn't be too hard, you just have to be careful.
Read Also: Tips to a longer lasting Smartwatch
However, before you begin your cleaning routine you should switch off the watch completely. In my opinion, I think it is necessary to prevent any regretful situation.
Materials needed for the operation.
- Microfiber cloth.
- All-purpose Leather cleaner and conditioner.
- Cotton buds or swab.
- Mild soap.
- Cotton drying cloth.
- Tooth brush.
- Tooth pick.
Cleaning operation by parts.
Screen.
The first and one of the most important part of the watch is the screen. To clean the screen all you need is the lightly watered microfiber cloth. Take the cloth and firmly wipe the screen with it to rid it of all dirt.
Here you should be super careful of how you do it. You don't want to be too hard that you are constantly pressing on the screen, you don't want to damage it.
After you wipe, if some dirt are lingering, you should apply some mild soap to the water before you wipe again or you use lukewarm water with the soap to make sure all dirts are gone completely.
Another way to clean the screen is to get a spray can, put water and soap in it and stir it to lather. Then you spray that lather on the screen and you wipe it off with the fiber cloth or the cotton drying cloth.
You should do the same for the back of the watch as well and please make sure you don't use hard chemical on your screen so as not to damage your screen.
Straps.
Cleaning the straps, is different from the screen because, here you don't have to be as careful as you were for the screen but you still need to be careful. Here the cleaning operation and materials change based on the type of strap.
Silicone straps.
What to do here is simple; you dip the strap in the water and mild soap mixture and you rub it off using the microfiber cloth. Very eazy and straight forward.
If the stains remain then get the soft toothbrush and make a quick work of the stain. Try to reach every edge and space on the strap, make sure you touch every part that might harbour dirts and stains. The brush should not be too hard so as not to damage the strap with marks.
And after brushing out the stain you are to completely dry out the water with the cotton cloth. Leave not residue behind when drying with the cloth. After that, you also airdry.
Leather.
Cleaning leather straps, is not the same as other straps. Here you will be using a purpose built leather cleaner so that the job will be properly done and the leather in good shape.
But if you don't have a leather cleaner, you can dab your cotton cloth with very little water and wipe the leather straps clean.
If you have a leather cleaner and conditioner, after making sure the conditioner will not discolor your leather by applying it to a little section first and wiping off then you can use it to clean the whole length of the strap.
Metals.
To clean metal types will take some more work so for you to easily do it I will advice you detach the watch band, do some basic scrubbing and then you soak it in the water and soap solution for some minutes.
After like 5-10 minutes you bring it out again and brush off the dirts. As there are lots of locks, link and hooks, you are to employ the service of that soft brush and the tooth picks to really reach every nook and cranny that needs to be cleaned up.
If your watch is the type with the gold strap or the one with any other valuable metal, some advice to use a jewelry cleaning agent so as to bring out the shine and brilliance the watch has lost. If you don't have access to that then you use the method above.
After you might have cleaned it up, make sure you dry it very well using the cotton cloth and then you air-dry the watch after that.
Other parts.
Aside from the straps and the screen, other parts like the ports, knobs, needs to be cleaned up by removing the dirts already built up at the edges and tips.
Here you can make use of the brush and if the brush can't get into it, you use the toothpick or the cotton bud or swab to completely pull off and wipe off every dirt that might have accumulated there.
When you are done, you wipe off any water with the cotton cloth and then air-dry the watch.
That's how to go about cleaning your watch and I am sure that by the time you are done with this cleaning activity the beauty and shine of your watch will be back.
Now that am done with the cleaning tips and steps, I will now address those little things you should be doing so as to help the smartwatch and help it last for the a long time.
How to Maintain your Smartwatch.
To maintain your watch require you to know a few things, some do's and don't's when it comes to the handling of smartwatches. So here's the list.
- First learn to properly operate your watch. This to me is one of the most important because you can easily damage your smartwatch if you are not smart enough to study the manual before you operate.
- Don't scratch or puncture the screen with sharp objects. That goes without saying. The screen is fragile and a scratch easily destroys the beauty of the watch even if the screen doesn't get broken.
- If you want to wash your hands take off the watch. While it is important, this doesn't apply to quality waterproof watches we have available. However be sure to dry it up after that.
- After every workout or work day try to take off the watch, wipe it and let it dry. Especially leather strapped smartwatches so you can clean off the stains easily. It not only makes cleaning easy it also frees your wrist and prevent irritation.
- Don't by yourself put holes in the leather straps. Go to a professional to do that, because if you do it by yourself you might cause quick damage to the leather strap and destroy it faster than normal.
- Smartwatches are not suitable for saunas, snorkeling, hot shower, hot springs, diving and other deep water activities and doing that with your smartwatch can damage it quickly. So try to know when and where to use your watch. Take special care when at the beach.
- Lastly, I feel like you should know this but I will say it anyways. Don't sit on it or hit it against hard surfaces, that is a quick recipe for destruction of your device.
Now to the last part of this article.
How often should I clean my Smartwatch.
That I will say is a matter of choice and availability of time. That aside, I think cleaning shouldn't take up much of you time anyway.
So let's say wiping the screen every 1-2 days and an overall cleaning operation like 1-2 times each week will do. With that I think you should be able to maintain your watch in tip top shape.
And here's where we call it a day. Pls share this and as I will always say you can follow me on Instagram to see the lots of cool stuff that I post daily, and I am sure you like cool stuff a lot.