How to Clean White Apple Watch Band in 2023

When you are wearing an Apple Watch for some time, then it is inevitable there will be dirt or stains on the bands. The spots on your Apple Watch bands are more prominent if it is white in color. Also, it is difficult to remove stains from white Apple Watch bands. So, in this detailed article, we will find out how to clean white Apple Watch band.

Learn how to clean white Apple Watch band – 11 Easy Ways

Do white Apple Watch bands get dirty very easily? The answer is yes. White is a bad color to have when it comes to cleaning. It is well known that removing stains or dirt from white colored materials is difficult. Nonetheless, we have put together a number of methods you could try to clean your white Apple Watch band.

However, not all methods might be suitable for you. The effectiveness of some techniques depends on the level of “stains” or “dirt” on your white Apple Watch band or any other white band. So, check out the best ways to clean your white Apple Watch band that we have compiled.

1. Dry wipe with a microfiber cloth

The most basic cleaning method for your Apple Watch band is by dry wiping it with a lint-free, non-abrasive microfiber cloth. It is the best way to clean your Apple Watch band if it only has some dirt on it.

Both leather and sports bands can be cleaned with a dry microfiber cloth. In fact, if you use any of the other methods below, you should dry wipe the band first. Also, you cannot just use any cloth to clean your Apple Watch band; it needs to be lint-free.

The clothes that have lint can trap dirt and particles from your band. Next, you need to remember that you shouldn’t try to clean your band in an abrasive manner. It can leave behind scratches on the band, especially if you are wearing a silicone band.

Additionally, you can slightly wet the lint-free microfiber cloth with water to clean the band. This will clean some light stains and persistent debris.

2. Soak in a warm soapy solution

Another way to clean your white Apple Watch band is by soaking it in warm water mixed with a soapy solution. However, you could use a few drops of dishwasher liquid as an alternative.  

Nevertheless, you need to mix the soapy solution with the warm water in a bowl, then place the white Apple Watch bands in the bowl. Of course, the bands need to be removed from your Apple Watch before soaking in the solution. Also, it would be best if you dry wipe the watch band first to remove any dirt that can be removed.

Additionally, you need to ensure that the solution is not strong. Otherwise, it might damage the band coating. Nonetheless, soak your Apple Watch band in the warm soapy solution for around 45-60 mins.

After that, remove the band from the solution and rinse it thoroughly. Next, wipe it using a lint-free, non-abrasive microfiber cloth and let it dry. Before connecting the band to your Apple Watch, make sure it is totally dry.

If you are using white leather Apple Watch band, then you need to skip this method. Leather doesn’t react well with liquid.

3. Wipe with a wet cloth

Wiping your watch band with a wet cloth can clean away persistent stains and dust. The microfiber cloth that you need to wipe should obviously be lint-free and non-abrasive. Moreover, you should dampen the cloth with fresh water, and it shouldn’t be too much water.

So, when starting to clean your watch band, scrub the areas of the band where the dirt persists. You may have to apply more force to clean the specified area. However, don’t use too much pressure that it might damage the band.

This method is perfect for cleaning your silicone, nylon, braided loop, and metal watch band. Though you shouldn’t use water on your leather watch band, you can wipe it with damp, provided it is not too wet.

4. Clean with baking soda

Baking soda is a cheap everyday household material. You can mix baking soda and water to create a paste that you can rub on your Apple Watch band. We would advise adopting this technique, if you are using a silicone smartwatch band.

So, first, you need to mix a small quantity of baking soda with water and create a soft paste mixture. Next, rub the pasty mixture on the dirty area of your watch band. You can use your hand to rub the mixture, provided that you wear gloves. Or you could use a toothbrush to apply the paste.

Once your band is clean, wash it with soapy water and then rinse it with fresh water. After that, let it dry thoroughly before re-attaching it to your Apple Watch.

Avoid using this method with your leather watch band as liquid or pasty solution might damage it.

5. Clean with alcohol solution/wipes

Isopropyl alcohol is the most common type of alcohol used in a wide variety of household chemicals, such as disinfectants, hand sanitizers, antiseptics, and detergents. So, it is a great cleaning option for your watch band.

Apple recommends that you use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes or 75% ethyl alcohol wipes to clean your white Solo Loop, Sport Band, Nike Sport Band, Ocean Band, or metal band. However, using alcohol on your leather or fabric bands is not a good idea.

Moreover, you can use hand sanitizers (which contain alcohol) if you don’t have any wipes nearby. You can spray some hand sanitizer on a cloth and then gently rub it over your watch band to clean it.

6. Clean with toothpaste

When thinking about cleaning your Apple Watch band, it isn’t something that comes to mind, but toothpaste can be a good option. It is cheap, readily available, and a simple technique.

With toothpaste, you can remove the yellow stains, which are very common on white Apple Watch bands. All but the most persistent stains can be removed with this method.

To use this technique, you’d also need a toothbrush, cloth, and possibly hand gloves (optional). So, dry wipe the band if there is any dirt and wear gloves. So, here are the steps:

1. Then apply toothpaste in a small area on the band and then use the toothbrush to rub it all over it.
2. The region with the most stains requires special attention.
3. Once you have scrubbed off the stains from the band, wipe it with a wet cloth to clean toothpaste residues.
4. After that, leave the band to dry before re-attaching it with your Apple Watch.

If the yellow stains (discolorations) on your watch band have been for a long time, it would be difficult to clean them using this method fully. However, you would receive satisfactory results with this method.

So, we would recommend that you start cleaning your white Apple Watch band at first sight of yellow discoloration.

7. Remove discoloration with hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide is a slow-acting bleaching agent perfect for cleaning the yellow discoloration on your white silicone Apple Watch band. Here are the process on how to clean white silicone Apple Watch band with hydrogen peroxide.

1. Detach the silicone band from your Apple Watch
2. Next, wear gloves and make sure the surrounding area is well ventilated
3. Now place the silicon watch band in a bowl
4. Then pour hydrogen peroxide into the bowl and cover the watch band. You can also use a solution of hydrogen peroxide
5. Keep the silicone watch band in the bowl of hydrogen peroxide solution for 24 hours and let it soak properly.
6. After that, remove the band from the bowl and rinse it thoroughly.

8. Clean with Chlorine Bleach solution

Another amazing way to clean any stains or discoloration from your white watch band is a chlorine bleach solution. If you have a white silicone watch band, you should give this method a try.

Chlorine bleach is a strong substance compared to hydrogen peroxide. As a result, water must be added to dilute it. Otherwise, the chlorine bleach might damage your Apple Watch band. So, here’s how to wash a white Apple Watch band with chlorine silicone.

1. Remove the watch band from the Apple Watch
2. Next, pour diluted chlorine bleach into a bowl. Pour a single tablespoon of chlorine bleach into every cup of water.
3. Now place the dirty watch band in the bowl. Make sure it is properly submerged, especially the stained areas.
4. Let it soak in the diluted bleach solution for 24 hours.
5. After that, remove the band and rinse it thoroughly
6. Now let it dry before re-attaching it to your Apple Watch.

9. Soak with lemon juice

Cleaning with lemon juice does wonders if your white silicone Apple Watch band is smelly or has grease, grime, or stains. Although, for light stains and dirt, you can only use lemon juice solution. For heavy cleaning, you can also add baking soda.

So, a combination of lemon juice and baking soda will remove stains and foul odor from the watch band. Here’s how to clean the silicone Apple Watch band with lemon juice.

1. First, detach the silicone band from the Apple Watch
2. Next, warm some water and pour it into a bowl
3. Now add a few drops of lemon juice and mix it with the water
4. Then soak your unclean white Apple Watch silicone band in the bowl for several minutes
5. This step is optional: mix some baking soda and water to create a paste and use a toothbrush to apply it to the well-soaked silicone band
6. After that, thoroughly rinse the watch band and leave it to dry.

10. Soak in white vinegar

Vinegar is an amazing cleaning agent. However, if you want to clean your white silicone watch band with vinegar, you need to be extra careful. Vinegar can potentially damage your silicone band as it is a strong cleaning agent. So, it needs to be distilled.

Here are the steps for the best way to clean white silicone Apple Watch bands with vinegar.

1. Pour some vinegar into a bowl and mix some water to dilute it
2. Now, place the silicone watch band (without the watch) in the bowl and let it soak for 30-45 minutes
3. After that, remove the band from the bowl and rinse it thoroughly. Be careful not to let the vinegar touch your skin
4. Next, use a microfiber cloth to wipe any more liquid and let it dry before re-attaching the band to the watch.

11. Clean with Magic Eraser or any melamine foam

White Apple Watch bands are notorious for attracting color stains such as dye stains. And it can be very difficult to clean. We have discussed several possible methods earlier; however, Magic Eraser is another amazing method to remove stains from your band. Magic Eraser is basically a melamine foam that lets you remove stains and is a versatile cleaning tool. You can even use melamine foam from other brands.

Here are the steps for cleaning and washing your white Apple Watch band with Magic Eraser.

1. Soak the Magic Eraser “foam” in water and then wring it dry. Be careful as not to apply too much power when wringing it.
2. Now remove the band from your Apple Watch
3. Place each side of the band on a flat surface
4. Next, scrub the areas of the watch strap that contains the stains
5. Continue scrubbing until you are satisfied with your cleaning results

Few tips to keep in mind while cleaning the Apple Watch band

Before you use any of the above-mentioned for cleaning your watch bands, you should bear a few things in mind. These are important points that would save you a lot of future trouble.

Always remove the band from your watch before cleaning

Do not start cleaning with the Apple Watch still attached to your band. No matter how confident you are of your cleaning abilities, you shouldn’t try it. You could seriously damage your smartwatch, which is worth way more than any band.

Keep a few things in hand for cleaning

There are a couple of things that you would need, no matter the cleaning methods. For instance, it is always good to have a lint-free, non-abrasive microfiber cloth for wiping. A toothbrush for scrubbing off any dirt and a glass bowl would be perfect for soaking your watch band, but it is not a must.

Thoroughly dry the band before re-attaching it to the watch

Most cleaning methods include soaking or washing the band in some liquid solution. So, before you can re-attach the band to your smartwatch, you’d need to fully rinse and dry the band. Depending upon the cleaning method, you might need to dry the band for up to 24 hours.

Concluding remarks

Here we have covered everything about how to clean white Apple Watch band. Hopefully, you have found our guide helpful. However, we have also shared information on cleaning your iPhone microphone and getting water out of your iPhone camera.