How to Clean an Apple Watch
Safely remove sweat, grime, and debris from your Apple Watch casing, Digital Crown, and band using lint-free cloths and fresh water without damage.
This guide shows how to clean an apple watch in 10-15 minutes. Start with power off and disconnect charger; follow the safety notes and step checkpoints below.
Visual step map
See the full sequence before you start, then check off each step as you go.
0 of 6 steps checked
Materials and cost planner
Select the items you plan to buy, adjust any estimated price, and calculate the selected total.
Editable rough U.S. retail estimates. Estimated all listed: $41.00. Prices are planning estimates, not quotes — tax, store, brand, size and quantity will change them.
Time and finish planner
Estimate active working time from the number of steps in this guide.
Room surface area calculator
Estimate the wall, ceiling and floor area of a room for planning cleaning time and supplies.
Subtract large fixtures or appliances that will not be cleaned. Never mix cleaning chemicals unless the manufacturer explicitly says it is safe.
- Read the tools, materials, safety notes, and steps below for free.
- Tap See 20-second demo if you want to understand it first.
- Tap Start Camera Coach when you want hands-free help, or Voice-only if you do not want to use the camera.
- Allow camera and microphone. Point your phone at the work; the coach watches your progress and tells you the next step.
🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ 2-3 non-abrasive microfiber cloths
- ✓ Soft-bristled detailing brush
- ✓ Sink with running lukewarm tap water
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ Fresh tap water
- ✓ 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or 75% ethyl alcohol wipe
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Never use compressed air, soaps, household cleaners, or ultrasonic cleaning tanks on the watch.
- • Always power down the device and remove it from the magnetic charger before introducing moisture.
- • Keep leather, fabric, and metal bands away from running water or alcohol wipes to avoid permanent staining or corrosion.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (6 Steps)
Power Off and Disconnect Charger
Remove the Apple Watch from your wrist and ensure it is not resting on the magnetic charging puck. Press and hold the side button until the power sliders appear, then drag the power off slider to shut down the device completely.
- • Screen goes completely black and remains unresponsive to tap gestures
- • Charging cable is visibly separated from the back crystal
- • Cleaning while the screen is awake, triggering accidental taps or emergency SOS calls
Remove Watch Bands
Turn the watch face-down on a soft microfiber cloth. Press down on one of the band release buttons near the slot and slide the band horizontally out of the channel; repeat for the second band.
- • Watch chassis is completely separated from both band segments
- • Band release slots on top and bottom of chassis are empty and visible
- • Pulling outward forcefully instead of sliding horizontally across the slot
Flush and Clean the Digital Crown
Hold the watch under a slow, steady stream of warm, fresh tap water with the Digital Crown facing upward. Continuously rotate and press the crown for 10-15 seconds to flush out trapped salts, dirt, or lotion buildup.
- • Low-pressure water flowing over the gap beneath the crown
- • Crown rotating smoothly without visual stickiness or resistance
- • Using high water pressure or soaps/surfactants in the stream
Wipe Down Case and Sensor Glass
Dampen a clean section of a microfiber cloth lightly with fresh water so it is moist, not dripping. Thoroughly wipe the front glass, aluminum or stainless steel frame, and the rear sapphire or composite sensor crystal. For disinfecting, an isopropyl alcohol wipe may be gently applied to exterior glass and metal surfaces.
- • Oils and smudges cleared from display and rear sensors
- • No liquid puddling along microphone or speaker cutouts
- • Applying alcohol wipes to fabric or leather surfaces
- • Soaking the cloth until liquid actively drips into port openings
Clean Bands According to Material
For fluoroelastomer (Sport) bands, wipe clean with a dampened microfiber cloth and mild hypoallergenic hand soap if heavily soiled, then rinse and dry. For leather or braided fabric loops, wipe only with a dry or very lightly water-dampened cloth, keeping moisture minimal.
- • Band surfaces free from skin flakes, sweat stains, and residue
- • Leather bands remain uniformly dry without dark water spots
- • Soaking leather or braided solo loops in standing water
- • Using harsh detergents on silicone/fluoroelastomer bands
Dry Thoroughly and Reassemble
Dry the watch body completely using a dry, non-abrasive microfiber cloth, paying close attention to the surface of the Digital Crown, band slots, and speaker openings. Align the band lugs with the chassis slots and slide each band segment in until an audible click or tactile snap confirms it is locked.
- • Watch surface is completely matte/clear with zero moisture droplets
- • Band lugs are flush with the sides of the watch case and do not slide out when gently tugged
- • Reinserting bands backward (metal lug release pin must face the interior/skin side)
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by Apple Support — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe? Microfiber cloth lightly dampened with fresh tap water
- No Microfiber cloth? Clean, lint-free 100% cotton optical cloth or t-shirt fabric