Do you have a mesh watch band? Whether you own an Apple Watch with a mesh watch band or another watch, it’s important to clean your mesh watch band regularly. Cleaning your watch band will maintain its appearance and prevent it from looking dirty. It will also help clean any germs that might build up on the watch band, which could get on your fingers and harm your immune system.
In this guide, I will be showing you how to clean your mesh watch band, including metal and stainless-steel mesh watch bands.
Preparing Your Cleaning Materials
First, prepare the cleaning materials you will need to wash your watch band. You should use only gentle cleaning tools, so avoid harsh scrubbing pads. Instead, opt for a soft toothbrush. A toothbrush with soft bristles will be able to get in the holes of your mesh band. You can also use an interdental brush, the kind you use to brush and floss in between your teeth.
In addition, have a soft sponge, a lint-free cloth, or a soft towel on hand.
You should also use warm water mixed with gentle soap. Put a small amount of hand soap into the water and mix it well. You could also use a minimal amount of gentle detergent.
Wiping Down the Mesh Watch Band
The first step is wiping down the mesh watch band with a slightly damp cloth, towel, paper towel, or baby wipe. This should help clean off the dust as well as any stains on the band. Pre-cleaning the watch strap like this will remove excess dirt.
Deep Cleaning with Mild Soap and Water
The next step is deep cleaning the watch band. This step will remove additional dirt and stains that a simple wipe down could not.
There are a few ways to do this. I recommend using a sponge or toothbrush, together with warm water mixed with gentle soap or detergent, to scrub and clean the mesh band. Make sure to be gentle and not too vigorous, as you don’t want to scratch or damage the mesh band.
Rinsing and Drying the Watch Band
You don’t want to leave the mesh band soapy, as that could cause skin irritation and also damage the mesh band. So, use plain water to rinse the watch band. Simply hold it under the faucet for a few minutes and rinse it out. Then, leave it out to air dry. Do not put it in the dryer or leave it in the sun.
Polishing the Mesh Watch Band
If your watch band is scratched or dull, you can polish it and buff out any scratches. Use a polishing cloth or a 1500-grit sandpaper. Rub the mesh band for 30 seconds at a time in one place. Continue a few more times until you are satisfied with its appearance, and then continue to another spot on the watch. This will restore the mesh band’s shine.
Tips for Stubborn Stains on Mesh Watch Bands
If you have tougher stains that won’t come out, try using a mix of water, vinegar, and baking soda.
Another option is cleaning with silver polish, depending on the mesh band you have. This will also remove dull areas that you can’t polish. Buy a bottle of silver polish and get a roll of paper towels ready. Then, use the paper towels and silver polish to meticulously clean the mesh band.
Long-Term Maintenance and Care
There are some simple tips that you can do to maintain your mesh watch band. Long-term care is important so that your watch strap looks beautiful years down the line. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Try to avoid damage to the watch band, such as collisions or dropping it on the floor.
- Avoid leaving it in dirty areas.
- Avoid wearing it while exercising.
- Definitely do not let it get near saltwater or in the swimming pool. Rinse it off if it did.
- Clean it regularly using the methods explained in this article.
- Polish it regularly with a polishing cloth and/or silver polish.
Conclusion
With proper watch band maintenance, you can ensure its durability and help it look clean and appealing. In this article, we’ve provided several important tips for caring for and cleaning your mesh band. We hope this guide was useful!