How to Wash Apple Watch Strap (Without Ruining It)

How to Wash an Apple Watch Band Correctly & Why it Matters

If you love your Apple Watch, chances are your device and your watch strap go everywhere with you. Gym sessions, commutes to work, and weekend hikes in the hills. While no doubt one of the handiest pieces of tech when it comes to supporting your fitness goals, your smartwatch and your watch strap will be collecting sweat, dirt, and bacteria day in and day out. 

But here’s the good news: keeping your Apple Watch strap clean and fresh really isn’t a very complicated process. Whether you're wearing a classic silicone sports band, a stylish leather watch strap, or a breathable nylon fabric watch band, proper maintenance will extend its lifespan and keep your wrist rash and irritation-free while you wear it. 

In this handy and digestible guide, we’ll walk you through how to wash your Apple Watch strap the right way. No unnecessary wear and tear. No faded colours. Just a fresh and completely clean watchband ready to take on your next fitness challenge. 

So, let’s dive right into it. 🏃‍♂️

A study that was published in the Journal of Hospital Infection found that wearing a wristwatch results in an increase in bacterial contamination of the wrist. Another study written by Florida Atlantic University revealed that 95% of wristbands that they tested were contaminated, with rubber and plastic bands harbouring higher bacterial counts than metallic ones. ​

These findings back up the fact that keeping your Apple watch strap clean is the key to maintaining good levels of hygiene and reducing any potential bacterial accumulation.

How Often Should You Wash Your Apple Watch Strap?

Cleaning frequency recommendations will depend on how often and in which settings you regularly wear your Apple Watch. A casual office user won’t need to clean their watch strap as often as an avid gym-goer who also runs at the weekend runner. But as a general rule:

• Daily wearers (office, casual use) → Clean once a week

• Gym-goers, runners, outdoor enthusiasts → Clean every few days

• Swimming in saltwater or chlorinated pools? → Clean immediately after

Failing to clean your watch strap can quickly lead to bacteria build-up, smelly odours, and even skin irritation and a rash around your wrist. The Florida Atlantic University study we mentioned earlier found that rubber and plastic wristbands tend to harbour more bacteria than the metal ones do, therefore making regular cleaning of silicone watch bands even more essential, especially if you wear them during taxing gym workouts or if you sweat a lot.

Your Apple Watch strap might look fine at first glance, but if you’re not cleaning it on a regular basis, chances are, your watch band is carrying around some unseen grime. So, let’s get that sorted. In the next section, we’re going to go through how to wash an Apple Watch band properly without damaging it.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Wash Apple Watch Band

No matter what material your strap is made from, the key to correct and proper cleaning is using the right method for the right type of watch strap. A silicone sports-style watch band will require a different approach than what would be used on a leather strap, and using the wrong cleaning technique could cause fading, rusty connectors or even structural damage.

🧼 The General Cleaning Process (For Most Straps, if you don’t have time for a full read)

Remove the Watch Strap from Your Apple Watch

• Press the release buttons on the underside of your Apple Watch and slide the strap out. Read this article for full info on how to remove your Apple watch strap. 

Prepare Your Cleaning Solution in Advance

• For classic silicone and nylon fabric watch straps: Use warm, soapy water (mild hand soap is recommended).

• For leather straps: Grab a damp, slightly soapy cloth or a leather cleaner. Do not fully submerge a leather watchband in water!

• For metal bands: Use a microfibre cloth with water or a jewellery cleaning solution.

 Scrub the Strap Very Gently

• Use a soft lint-free cloth or a soft-bristled brush (those bamboo ones are always good for this) for silicone and nylon fabric straps.

• For leather, gently wipe down with a damp lint-free cloth; never scrub too aggressively, though.

 Rinse the watch band down (or wipe if leather)

• Silicone and nylon fabric watch bands can be rinsed under warm water.

• Leather should only be wiped down and never placed under running water.

• Metal watch bands should be dried immediately.

 Dry the watch strap thoroughly

• Pat dry with a lint-free microfibre cloth and let it air-dry completely before you reattach it back onto your smartwatch.

• Leather watch bands should always be air-dried away from direct sunlight or the hairdryer to prevent any unwanted cracking.

🧼 Need a fresh watch strap while yours is drying off? 👉 Explore our full collection of Apple Watch straps here — perfect for every wrist, occasion, and workout.

 Sanitising (Optional, But Can Help)

• If you want to fully disinfect your strap, use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, which are an ideal choice for regular gym-goers.

• Always steer clear of any harsh chemicals like bleach, which can degrade materials.

🚫 Some Quick Tips on What Not to Do

❌ As we covered above, avoid submerging leather bands in water.
❌ Don’t use any abrasive cleaners or scrubbing pads.
❌Steer clear of your hairdryer or any direct sunlight, as both can crack the materials.
❌ Never use any strong detergents such as bleach.

Using the correct approach to clean your Apple watch band can really help to extend its lifespan. Now that you know how to wash an Apple Watch band properly, let’s go deeper into how different materials require specialised care.

Different Strap Materials Require Different Care

Not all Apple Watch straps are created equal, and each material has its own cleaning requirements. Using the wrong method could lead to discolouration, degradation, or even a ruined strap. Here’s how to keep each type in peak condition.

🖤Classic Silicone Sports Style Watch Straps 

Best used for: Gym workouts, swimming, everyday wear
How to Clean:
✅ Wash down with warm, soapy water ( we recommend a mild hand soap)
✅ Use a soft brissled toothbrush to remove any stubborn grime
✅ Rinse and air-dry completely before reattaching your smartwatch

👉 Want more info? Read our full post on how to clean your silicone Apple Watch band here. 

🎗️ Nylon Fabric Watch Straps 

Best used for running, sleep tracking and casual wear.
How to Clean:
✅ Hand wash in lukewarm soapy water (use mild soap)
✅ Scrub gently with a soft brisled toothbrush
✅ Rinse thoroughly and let the strap air-dry completely

⚠️ Always avoid:
❌ Machine washing—This can weaken fibres and affect elasticity.
❌ Using strong detergents, as they can fade colours over time.

👜 Leather Straps

Best used for: Smart casual, formal occasions
How to Clean:
✅ Wipe down with a damp, slightly soapy microfibre cloth
✅ Use a leather conditioner every few months
✅ Let it air-dry naturally, away from radiators or direct sunlight

⚠️  Always avoid:
❌ Water exposure- leather absorbs moisture, which will lead to cracking
❌ Harsh cleaning products- never use alcohol rubs or bleach.

⛓️ Metal Watch Straps

Best used for: Workwear, formal occasions
How to Clean:
✅ Wipe down with a damp microfibre cloth
✅ For deep cleaning, use a soft brissled toothbrush + mild soapy water
✅ Dry immediately after cleaning

⚠️  Always avoid:
❌ Leaving it sitting there wet after cleaning is likely to cause discolouration.
 ❌ Using abrasive cleaners that scratch the metal finish.

🧶 Scrunchie Nylon Straps

Best for: Casual wear, lightweight comfort

How to Clean:
✅ Hand wash in lukewarm soapy water.
✅ Gently rub the fabric between your fingers to remove any sweat or dirt.
✅ Rinse thoroughly and press out excess water gently (but don’t wring it out).
✅ Lay flat to air-dry completely before reattaching to your Apple watch.

⚠️ Always avoid:
❌ Machine washing or hairdrying afterwards is not recommended as this can stretch and weaken the elastic.
❌ Using harsh soaps, as they will cause the fabric to lose its softness.
❌ Wringing the watch band out forcefully, as this can misshape the scrunchie design.

Scrunchie nylon straps are super comfortable and flexible, but their fabric can trap sweat over time, so washing the band regularly will keep it feeling fresh, soft, and odour-free.

💪 Whether you’re hitting the gym or just want a cleaner look, shop Apple Watch straps built for comfort and durability.

What Not to Do: The Biggest Mistakes People Make

Based on the above, cleaning your Apple Watch strap sounds simple, and to be honest, if you follow the above tip, it is, but many users unknowingly ruin their watch bands by using the wrong techniques. Here are the most common mistakes we hear about when it comes to watch strap cleaning and how you can avoid them.

🚫 Mistake #1: Using Harsh Chemicals

Why It’s a Bad Idea:
Bleach and other common household cleaners can strip away the colour, weaken materials, and cause irritation when worn against the skin.

✅ What to Do Instead:
Stick to a mix of mild soap and water. If you need a stronger clean (especially for silicone bands), use the 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe we spoke of above, which Apple also confirms is safe.

🚫 Mistake #2: Soaking Leather Straps in Water

Why It’s a Bad Idea:
Leather absorbs moisture, which leads to cracking, stiffness, and an unpleasant odour.

✅ What to Do Instead:
Use a slightly damp microfibre cloth for cleaning and condition it every few months to keep the leather supple.

🚫 Mistake #3: Wringing Out Nylon Straps

Why It’s a Bad Idea:
Nylon scrunchie straps and standard nylon fabric watch straps contain elastic fibres that can lose their shape if twisted or wrung out too firmly.

✅ What to Do Instead:
Press out excess water gently and lay the band flat to air-dry naturally.

🚫 Mistake #4: Leaving Metal Straps Wet

Why It’s a Bad Idea:
While stainless steel is resistant to rust, lingering moisture can lead to oxidation, water spots, or corrosion over time.

✅ What to Do Instead:
 Always wipe metal bands dry immediately after cleaning to prevent damage.

🚫 Mistake #5: Ignoring the Strap Until It Smells

Why It’s a Bad Idea:
By the time a strap starts smelling bad, bacteria and sweat have already built up deep in the material, making it harder to clean effectively.

✅ What to Do Instead:
Follow a regular cleaning schedule based on how often you wear it (see Section 2), and don’t wait for bad odours to develop!

Final Thoughts – Keeping Your Apple Watch Strap in Peak Condition

Whether you're smashing through a taxing gym session, navigating a busy commute to work, or tracking your weekend hiking adventures, your Apple watch strap will be attached to your wrist all the way. So, it needs proper care to stay fresh, comfortable, and long-lasting through all of this.

💡 Pro Tip: If you rotate between multiple watch straps for specific occasions, they will all last much longer! Switching between a sports strap for your workouts and a leather or metal watch strap for daily wear prevents overuse and keeps each one looking new.

🔄 Swapping between straps can make them last longer. 👉 Check out our Apple Watch strap range to build your rotation today.

A little maintenance goes a long way in extending the life of your strap and keeping your Apple Watch looking as good as the day you bought it. Now that you know how to wash an Apple Watch strap the right way, your wristwear will always be clean, comfortable, and ready for whatever comes next!