How to Clean a Watch

Co-authored by Mallika Sharma

Last Updated: March 26, 2023 References

Some watches are very fine pieces of jewelry just as rings, necklaces, and bracelets. They need to be cared for in order to retain their proper function and appropriate appearance. The method you use to clean a watch depends upon the type of watch that you own. However, all watches can benefit from a frequent light cleaning.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing to Clean Your Watch

1
Determine the type of material of your watch band. The cleaning method you use will depend upon the type of band you have. Common band types are metal, leather, cloth, or stainless steel. ^{[1]
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- If your watch is made out of plastic you can follow the same procedure to clean it as you would if it was made out of metal.
2
Remove the band from the watch dial, if possible. Be very cautious about using liquids to clean your watch if you cannot remove the band. You can permanently damage the band. If you can remove the band there will be two tiny screws on either side of the band where the band connects to the watch face.
- You may need watch tools depending on the size of the screws, but take these out and you'll be able to remove your band. Put them in a safe place and don't lose them.
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3
Gather your materials. Depending on what kind of watch you are cleaning, you’ll need polishing or lint-free cloths, mild detergent, a small bowl or container, and leather cleaner if you’re cleaning the band of a leather watch.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Cleaning Your Watch Band

1
Immerse your nylon watchbands in the laundry. Easy enough! You don’t have to worry about them as long as you keep them in a separate mesh bag. The rubber in your nylon band will absorb sweat and oil and if you don’t wash it now and then it will crack and break.
2
Make a mild soap and water mixture. If you have a watch band that is made of leather or cloth, use a small amount of vinegar instead of soap. You can use dish soap and room temperature water.
- Use only a small dollop of dish detergent. There’s no formula, but you don’t need that much.
3
Place the band in the mixture.^{[2]
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Research source} Remember that you should only use a mild soap and water mixture if the band is made of metal, otherwise replace the dish soap with a small amount of vinegar instead. This will help clean your band if it is leather or cloth without drying it out and cracking it.
4
Allow the band to soak. You don’t have to wait hours if the watch isn’t noticeably dirty, letting it soak for a couple of minutes in a shallow bowl or container should do the trick. ^{[3]
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- If your watch has been sitting in the mud outside your door step for ten years and you just found it, you might need to leave it for a few hours.
5
Remove the band from the mixture. Take the band from the mixture and dry it using a polishing cloth from a jeweler or a lint-free cloth bought at a grocery store. Be careful not to scratch the surface. Check if there is any dirt remaining on the band.
6
Bend and fold your band to check the nooks and cracks. ^{[4]
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Research source} If you have a linked band you should be certain to check back and forth. These areas often house dead skin, dirt and skin oils.
- There are less nooks in leather bands than there are in metal bands, but you'll still find areas where sweat and debris has gathered to form a layer of muck.
7
Use a toothpick to get remaining dirt from small spaces. If you find dirt or any other material in your watch band you can use a toothpick to remove it.
8
Dry the watchband thoroughly. You may choose to remove excess water with the cloth and allow the watchband to air dry, if time allows. Air drying is probably your best option. ^{[5]
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9
Use a leather cleaner to wipe down leather bands. Be certain that no excess cleaner exists on the band before reassembling the watch.
- For more detail look into how to clean a leather watch strap.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Cleaning the Face of Your Watch

1
Make a soap and water mixture. Use a mild dish soap and make sure you don’t put too much in there. It’s not going to hurt your watch necessarily but you will make the water all soapy. ^{[6]
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- Do not apply bleach. This will destroy your watch. Don’t use any sort of chemical substance other than mild soap or you risk causing serious damage to your watch. Always be careful and see how the watch responds to the treatment. ^{[7]
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2
Polish the dial or face of the watch. You have a few options here – you can clean with a polishing or lint-free cloth, a soft bristled toothbrush, or a chamois cloth. Just don’t brush too hard or you might scratch the face of your watch. Rub to remove fingerprints and smudges from the crystal or glass. ^{[8]
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3
Clean between the areas of the watch that attach to the watch band. You can use a tooth pick to get into these areas. A Q-tip is also a good option.
- If you're going to complete a thorough cleaning of your watch then you have to take care to clean every part of the watch. Don't neglect the watch band just because it doesn't tell the time. The more time you spend caring for your watch band the longer it will last.
4
Wipe the entire watch once more with the clean lint-free cloth. Once you have reassembled the watch and the watch band you should wipe the whole thing down once more to clean off any excess water or soap. ^{[9]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What can I use to clean a leather watch band that's really smelly?

Mallika Sharma
Certified Leather Care Technician
Mallika Sharma is a Certified Leather Care Technician and the Founder of The Leather Laundry, a niche spa service for luxury leather gear in India. Mallika specializes in leather cleaning, coloring, repairing, and restoring for shoes, handbags, jackets, wallets, belts, and sofas. She holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Investment from the University of Edinburgh Business School. Mallika is a certified Professional Leather Care Technician and trained with the globally reputed leather care company, LTT in the United Kingdom.

Mallika Sharma

Certified Leather Care Technician

Expert Answer

You could use soap and warm water and some isopropyl alcohol if the smell does not go. Then use an industrial deodorizing agent if it still does not go. After, you can use filler creams to buff the leather out and even out the surface. Finally, use dye or polish to touch up.
Question

How can I remove scratches from the glass lens of a watch?

Community Answer

Get a moist towel and some non-abrasive toothpaste, the blue gel ones work the best. Gently apply it to the tip of the towel. Get a cup of water and dip the edge of the towel in it and rub the surface of the glass in small circles. After 30 seconds, find a clean section of the towel and use water to moisten it. Gently remove all remaining toothpaste from the glass.