How to Clean Your Smartwatch the Right Way (Without Damaging It)

Your smartwatch goes with you everywhere — to the gym, the office, even the bathroom. It tracks your heart rate, steps, sleep, and... bacteria? If you’re not cleaning your smartwatch regularly, you could be carrying more than just your notifications on your wrist.

Here’s how to clean your smartwatch properly — and how to keep it germ-free without damaging it.

Why Smartwatches Get So Dirty

Let’s break down the facts:

• They’re in constant contact with your skin (sweat, oils, dead skin cells)

• You touch them throughout the day with fingers that have touched phones, doorknobs, and more

• Most people never clean them — or only wipe them off with their shirt sleeve

In fact, studies show wearable tech like smartwatches can harbor just as much bacteria as a toilet seat.

What You Should Not Do When Cleaning Your Smartwatch

Before we get to the good stuff, a quick PSA:

❌ Don’t submerge your smartwatch (even if it’s “water-resistant”)
❌ Avoid harsh cleaners like bleach or hydrogen peroxide
❌ Don’t use anything abrasive that could scratch the screen or sensors

The Right Way to Clean Your Smartwatch (Step-by-Step)

What You’ll Need:

• A soft microfiber cloth

• A small brush or cotton swab

• Mild soap and water (optional)

• A PhoneSoap UV-C sanitizer (like the HomeSoap or PhoneSoap Pro)

Step 1: Power Down

Turn off your smartwatch and, if possible, remove the band.

Step 2: Wipe the Screen and Case

Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust, oils, and smudges. If needed, slightly dampen the cloth with water (or a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution for tougher grime — but avoid the ports).

Step 3: Clean the Band

Different materials need different care:

• Silicone: Wash with mild soap and warm water

• Leather: Use a leather cleaner or a damp cloth — never soak

• Metal or Fabric: Spot-clean with gentle detergent and water

Let everything dry completely before reassembly.

Bonus Step: Sanitize It with UV-C Light

Wiping is good. But sanitizing with UV-C light is better.

PhoneSoap’s HomeSoap or PhoneSoap Pro kills 99.99% of germs — including bacteria and viruses — using UV-C light. It reaches into tiny crevices that wipes and sprays miss, without moisture or harsh chemicals.

🧼 Pro Tip:
Pop your smartwatch (band removed or not, depending on size) into a PhoneSoap sanitizer once a day — especially after workouts, travel, or exposure to germs.

How Often Should You Clean Your Smartwatch?

• Light cleaning: Daily or after workouts

• Full cleaning/sanitization: Once or twice a week

• If sick or exposed to illness: Sanitize daily

Wrap-Up: Don’t Wear the Germs You Work So Hard to Avoid

You wouldn’t wear the same gym shirt every day without washing it. Your smartwatch deserves the same care. A clean watch not only looks better — it helps keep your skin healthy and your immune system unbothered.

→ Shop PhoneSoap now and keep your wearable tech bacteria-free.