Your Apple Watch band picks up sweat, sunscreen, lotion and dust every day you wear it. Left alone, that buildup can irritate your skin, make the band smell, and even affect the watch’s sensors. The good news is that cleaning it takes only a few minutes, and Apple publishes clear guidance on how to do it without damaging the band or the watch.
The most important rule is that different bands need different care. A silicone Sport Band can be washed with soap and water, while a leather band must never be soaked. Before you start, check which band you have, then follow the steps for that material.
Before you start: remove the band
Apple’s first instruction is to take the band off the watch before cleaning it. Press the band release buttons on the back of the watch and slide the band out. This matters for two reasons: it stops water and soap from getting trapped where the band meets the case, and it lets you clean both parts properly.
Apple’s cleaning advice applies to Apple-branded bands. If you use a third-party band, follow the care instructions that came with it, because the materials may be different.
How to clean the watch itself
Start with the watch, because a dirty back crystal is what hurts your readings. Apple says to keep the watch clean and dry, and to clean it regularly so lotion or sunscreen does not build up on the back crystal, where the sensors sit. Readings can suffer if the watch or your skin is not clean and dry, and liquid-free contact is needed for the ECG and other sensors to work properly.
To clean the watch, follow Apple’s guide to cleaning your Apple Watch:
- Turn off your Apple Watch and take it off the charger.
- If you have a leather band, remove it from the watch.
- Wipe the watch clean with a soft, nonabrasive, lint-free cloth. If needed, lightly dampen the cloth with fresh water.
- If you can see dirt or debris in places such as the speaker ports, hold the watch under lightly running, warm, fresh water until it is clean. With Apple Watch Series 10 and later, you can use a soft-bristle brush to clear debris from the speaker ports.
- Dry the watch with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth, including the surface of the back crystal.
Do not use soaps, cleaning products, abrasive materials, compressed air, ultrasonic cleaning or external heat sources on the watch. Apple warns that all of these can cause damage.
How to clean a Sport Band or Solo Loop
Silicone and fluoroelastomer bands, including the Sport Band, Solo Loop, Braided Solo Loop, Sport Loop, Ocean Band, Alpine Loop and Trail Loop, are the easiest to clean. Wipe the band with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth, lightly dampened with fresh water if needed. For these bands you can also use a mild hypoallergenic hand soap. Dry the band with a lint-free cloth before you put it back on the watch.
These are the bands most people wear for workouts, so they are the ones that need cleaning most often. A quick rinse and wipe after a sweaty workout stops sweat and salt from building up in the grooves.
How to clean a leather band
Leather needs a gentler touch. Wipe the leather parts with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth, lightly dampened with fresh water if necessary, then let the band air dry fully before you put it back on.
Never soak a leather band in water. Apple’s leather bands are not water resistant, and soaking can stain or warp the leather. Keep leather bands out of direct sunlight, high temperatures and high humidity when you store them.
How to clean a metal band
Metal bands, including the Link Bracelet and Milanese Loop, are cleaned the same way as the silicone bands: wipe them with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth, lightly dampened with fresh water if needed, then dry them fully before reattaching. Note that stainless steel bands are not water resistant, so do not soak them either.
For the small gaps between metal links, a dry, soft-bristle brush can help shift trapped dirt, but do not use anything sharp or abrasive.
How to clean a FineWoven band
FineWoven bands, including the Magnetic Link and Modern Buckle, need a different method. Mix one teaspoon (5 mL) of liquid laundry detergent into one cup (250 mL) of water. Dip a lint-free cloth into the soapy water, wring it out slightly, and rub the cloth on the band gently for one minute. Then wipe the band clean with a separate cloth slightly dampened with fresh water. Do not soak FineWoven bands in water.
Can you use disinfectant wipes?
Yes, but only on some surfaces. Apple says you may gently wipe the outside of your Apple Watch and your Solo Loop, Sport Band, Nike Sport Band, Ocean Band or metal band with a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, a 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Do not use them on fabric or leather bands, and do not use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
How often should you clean your Apple Watch band?
Apple does not give a fixed schedule, but a simple routine works well. Wipe the band and the back of the watch after workouts or heavy sweating, and give both a proper clean once a week. If you notice a smell, skin irritation, or heart-rate readings that seem off, clean the band and the sensor area first — grime on the back crystal is a common cause of unreliable readings, and it is the easiest thing to fix. More detail on each band type is in Apple’s band care information.
What not to do
- Do not clean the watch while it is charging.
- Do not use soap or cleaning products on the watch itself.
- Do not use abrasive cloths, scouring pads or brushes with stiff bristles.
- Do not use compressed air or ultrasonic cleaners.
- Do not dry the watch or band with a hair dryer or any other external heat source.
- Do not soak leather, FineWoven or stainless steel bands in water.
FAQ
Can I wash my Apple Watch band with soap and water?
It depends on the band. Silicone bands such as the Sport Band and Solo Loop can be cleaned with mild hypoallergenic hand soap and water. Leather and FineWoven bands should never be soaked, and soap should not be used on the watch itself.
Can I wear my Apple Watch in the shower?
Most Apple Watch models are water resistant, but Apple advises against exposing them to soaps, shampoos and other chemicals, which can affect the water seals. Rinse the watch with fresh water afterwards if it does come into contact with them.
Why are my heart-rate readings wrong?
Dirty sensors are a common cause. Lotion, sunscreen and sweat can form a film over the back crystal and block the optical sensor. Clean the back crystal with a lint-free cloth and make sure both the watch and your wrist are clean and dry.
How do I get rid of the smell from my Apple Watch band?
Remove the band and wash it with fresh water and, for silicone bands, a little mild hypoallergenic hand soap. Dry it fully before wearing it again, and repeat the clean weekly if you work out often.
