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Clean the watch case and band separately: turn off and unplug the watch, wipe its exterior with a soft, non-abrasive lint-free cloth, and use the band’s material-specific care instructions. Keeping the watch, band, and skin clean and dry—and wearing the watch neither too tightly nor too loosely—can help reduce irritation. If you develop redness, swelling, itchiness, or other irritation, consult a physician before wearing it again.
Clean the watch case without damaging it
- Turn off the Apple Watch and remove it from the charger.
- Wipe the watch. Use a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. If needed, lightly dampen it with fresh water. Do not apply soap or other cleaning products to the watch itself.
- Dry it. Use a clean, non-abrasive, lint-free cloth, including on the back crystal. Keep moisture out of openings, and do not use external heat to speed drying.
Apple’s current cleaning instructions are on its UK Support page, published January 20, 2026: How to clean your Apple Watch. Apple warns against abrasive materials, compressed air, ultrasonic cleaning, soaps and cleaning products on the watch, and submerging it in cleaning agents.
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Speaker ports and the Digital Crown
For visible debris at speaker ports, Apple says you may hold the watch under lightly running, warm, fresh water. On Series 10 and later, a soft-bristle brush may be used to remove speaker-port debris. This is a specific cleaning instruction, not permission to soak the watch or use cleaning agents.
If debris is making the Digital Crown stick, hold the crown under lightly running, warm, fresh water while continuously turning and pressing it. Dry the crown and surrounding surfaces with an absorbent, non-abrasive, lint-free cloth, rotating and pressing the crown as you dry it.
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- Microfiber 16 x 12-inch cleaning cloth (24-pack); ideal for cleaning cars, trucks, boats, and more
- Ultra-soft and non-abrasive car drying towels; will not scratch paints, vinyl, glass, finishes, or other surfaces
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Regular cleaning can remove lotion or sunscreen buildup on the back crystal, which Apple says can affect sensor functionality.
Remove the band and clean it according to its material
Take the band off before cleaning it. The following Apple instructions apply to Apple-branded bands; for a third-party band, follow its supplied care information. Dry the band as specified before attaching it again.
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| Band type | Cleaning method | Drying and cautions |
|---|---|---|
| Leather | Wipe the leather with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth, lightly dampened with fresh water if needed. | Do not soak it. Let it air dry thoroughly before reattaching. Apple says leather bands are not water resistant. |
| Solo Loop, Braided Solo Loop, Sport Band, Sport Loop, Ocean Band, Alpine Loop, Trail Loop | Wipe with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth, lightly dampened with fresh water if needed. Apple also permits mild hypoallergenic hand soap for these listed bands. | Dry with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth before reattaching. |
| FineWoven, including Magnetic Link and Modern Buckle | Mix 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of washing liquid into 1 cup (250 ml) of water. Gently rub with a lint-free cloth for one minute, then wipe with a separate cloth slightly dampened with fresh water. | Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not soak. Lay flat to dry for at least a day before use. |
| Hermès rubber | Wipe with a soft, non-abrasive cloth and fresh water; use soapy water if needed for stains. | Dry before use. |
| Hermès knit | Keep it from getting wet. | Follow the band’s care information. |
| Hermès woven | Gently wipe with a soft, non-abrasive cloth, slightly dampened if needed. | Dry before use. |
| Other bands, buckles, and closures | Wipe with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth, lightly dampened with fresh water if needed. | Dry before reattaching. |
Leather may develop a patina or change color after contact with perfume, insect repellent, oil, lotion, or dyed materials.
When disinfectant wipes are allowed
Apple permits gently wiping the watch’s exterior and certain bands with a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe, a 75% ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. The listed eligible bands are Solo Loop, Sport Band, Nike Sport Band, Ocean Band, and metal bands. This permission does not extend to every band material.
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- Do not use these wipes on fabric or leather bands.
- Avoid products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
- Keep moisture out of openings, and do not submerge the watch in cleaning agents.
Reduce the chance of skin irritation
Apple advises keeping the watch, band, and skin clean and dry, particularly after exercise or contact with sweat, soap, sunscreen, or lotion. Wear the watch with enough room for the skin to breathe. As Apple puts it, “An overly tight band can cause skin irritation.” A band that is too loose can also rub.
If you have a known allergy or sensitivity to metals or plastics, check the materials in your watch and band. Apple notes that adhesives in the watch case and several band types contain trace amounts of acrylates and methacrylates, while saying those parts are designed not to be in direct contact with skin. This general materials information cannot identify the cause of an individual reaction.
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- Lint-Free & Scratch-Safe: Soft to the touch and completely lint-free, these cloths won't scratch or damage delicate finishes like glass, ceramic, coated metals, car paint, or polished surfaces—clean with confidence on everything from household appliances to auto trim and electronics screens
- Ultra-Absorbent for Spills, Polishing & Drying: Designed to quickly soak up liquids, grease, and grime, making them ideal for drying dishes, wiping spills, polishing stainless steel, buffing car surfaces, and tackling everyday messes around the house, garage, or workshop—efficient cleaning without extra effort
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- Versatile Across Home, Auto & Beyond: Equally suited for general household cleaning, interior car detailing, exterior buffing, polishing wheels, wiping down tools, workshop surfaces, electronics, eyeglasses, screens, and more—simply rinse after use or toss in the washing machine; a practical all-around choice for homes, garages, shops, and small businesses
If redness, swelling, itchiness, or other irritation appears, Apple says you may want to consult a physician before putting the watch back on. Do not treat cleaning as a substitute for medical advice.
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What you need
A soft, non-abrasive, lint-free cloth is the broadly applicable tool Apple specifies for routine wiping and drying. No special cleaning kit is required by Apple’s instructions. Use mild hypoallergenic hand soap only on the band types for which Apple expressly allows it.
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