How to Wash a Garmin Watch

Last Updated: September 15, 2021 References

Garmin watches come with a lot of features that make them handy to wear on-the-go. Unfortunately, these devices can pick up a lot of dirt and sweat if you wear them a lot. It only takes a few minutes to give your Garmin watch and band the TLC they need to stay in great condition. Once your device is washed and dried, you’ll be ready to wear it again and go about your daily life!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning the Watch Face

1
Unplug your watch from its charger. Flip your watch over and find the small, multi-pronged wire plugged into the body of the watch. Pull out the plug before you start cleaning, or else you may get a nasty shock.^{[1]
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2
Soak the tip of a soft, lint-free cloth in cool, soapy water. Fill a sink or basin with cool water and a pea-sized amount of mild soap. Stir both ingredients together until suds form, then dip a clean cloth into the mixture.^{[2]
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- Double-check that the label of your cleaning detergent says “mild” or “gentle.” You don’t want to use any harsh soaps on your wristband or watch!
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3
Rub down the surface of the watch with the damp cloth. Wipe off the top and bottom of your watch with smooth, circular motions. Focus on any areas with obvious dirt or sweat.^{[3]
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- Don’t apply too much pressure while you clean your watch, as you don’t want to damage it.
4
Wipe off the watch with a clean cloth and let it air-dry. Take a clean, lint-free cloth and soak off any of the soapy water that’s still on the surface. Once you’ve finished wiping, leave your watch in clean, dry area until it’s completely dry to the touch.^{[4]
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Did You Know? Most watches can be kept on in the shower, though you may want to clean off your wash after it gets wet. Always double-check your user manual before getting your watch really wet, though.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Washing the Wristband

1
Remove the band from the watch face. Unclip or snap off your wristband and set it aside. Different watches have different locking mechanisms, so you may want to double-check your user guide for extra clarification. If you want, you can keep the band attached to the watch while you clean it, too.^{[6]
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- For instance, the Heart Rate Monitor band can be removed from the rest of the device with snaps.
- Some Garmin bands are attached with screws, while others have a lever holding the band in place. Remove the screws or pull down on the lever to detach the band.^{[7]
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2
Clean off silicone bands with water and rubbing alcohol. Hold the band under lukewarm or cool running water to get rid of any basic sweat or dirt. If your band is especially dirty with leftover lotion or sunscreen, dip a lint-free cloth in rubbing alcohol and wipe it down. Once the band is clean, leave it in a clean, open area to air-dry.^{[8]
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3
Wipe off leather and metal bands with a tiny amount of water. Take a dry, lint-free cloth and wipe off dirt from your leather and metal bands on an as-needed basis. If your bands are really dirty, dip a lint-free cloth in a small amount of water and wipe down the surface of the band. Let it air-dry completely once you’ve cleaned it off before wearing it again.^{[9]
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- Avoid cleaning your band with special leather cleaners or metal polish, as these can cause long-term damage and ruin the color.
4
Wash nylon bands with a soft cloth and mild detergent. Turn your tap on to a cool or cold setting, then rinse your band off. Dip a lint-free cloth in a pea-sized amount of mild soap and begin wiping off any visible dirt or staining. Once the strap is clean, rinse it off with cool water and let it air-dry completely.^{[10]
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5
Disinfect your watch band with a sanitizing wipe. Grab a fresh disinfecting wipe or dip a lint-free cloth in a small amount of isopropyl alcohol. Wipe down the surface of your strap, then let it dry for several minutes so your watch is sanitized.^{[11]
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- You can disinfect any type of wristband.
Tip: You can also disinfect your Garmin watch face, as well.
6
Let the band air-dry completely and reattach it. Place your clean wristband in a dry open area for several hours, or until it’s dry to the touch. Use the clips, lever, or screws provided with your watch to reattach the band once you’re ready to wear your watch again.^{[12]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Machine-Washing the Heart Rate Monitor Band

1
Wipe down your wristband with cool water after wearing it. Check your band to make sure you’ve rinsed off any obvious dirt and sweat build-up on your band. If needed, wipe off tougher stains with a clean, lint-free cloth.^{[13]
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- Try to get in the habit of doing this every night or every time that you exercise.
2
Toss the wrist strap in the washer after wearing it 7 times. Unsnap the watch band from the watch face and check the care label to see if it can be machine or hand washed. If it can be machine washed, toss it into your usual load of wash. Use a small amount of mild detergent with cold water so ensure that your band gets a thorough clean.^{[14]
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- The “machine wash” symbol looks like a bucket with water on the inside. It usually includes a temperature recommendation, like 40 °F (4 °C).
3
Let your damp strap air-dry completely. Take the strap out of the washer and spread it out in a clean, open area. Give the strap a day or so to dry before reattaching it to the rest of your watch.^{[15]
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Warnings

Don’t use any sharp or rough to clean off your watch, as this can cause permanent damage.^{[17]
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