In this article:
- Advantages and disadvantages of silicone watch strap
- The nuances of cleaning a watch strap
- Ways to Clean a Silicone Watch Band
There are several ways to clean a silicone watch strap, which are suitable for fitness bracelets or smart watches from Apple or Xiaomi. The peculiarity of this material is that often manufacturers do not indicate how to care for it at all, leaving the owner alone with the problem.
There are a number of methods that are practically safe and cannot harm a silicone product. In our article we will tell you how to clean such a strap, analyze its pros and cons, and also consider ways to care for bracelets made of other materials.
The nuances of cleaning a watch strap
When worn, wristwatches are inevitably exposed to environmental influences. Their strap gets dirty, gathers dust, and absorbs secreted subcutaneous fat. This leads to loss of the original appearance. A dirty watch strap is also an ideal environment for the development of bacteria, which can be unsafe for human health.
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For these reasons, the watch must be cleaned periodically. Below we will talk in more detail about how to clean a watch strap, paying attention to the characteristics of the material of manufacture: leather, rubber, silicone, etc.
Those people who wear their watches every day should clean the strap once every two months. To do this, it must be disconnected from the body.
If you can’t do it yourself or don’t know what’s best to use, then try cleaning your watch bracelet with a cotton pad or soft cloth moistened with a special product (it’s best to check the composition in the instructions for your watch and bracelet).
The watch dial should be cleaned with a damp cloth and then wiped dry with a soft cloth. The metal bracelet must be cleaned carefully so as not to scratch or damage it.
The cleaning method and cleaning agent must be suitable for the specific material of your watch case and band (leather, alloy, precious metals, fabric, plastic, silicone or rubber).
If the dirt on your bracelet or watch strap is significant, it is better to have it cleaned by professionals in a workshop. They will be able to quickly and effectively remove dust and dirt from the accessory, as well as carry out restoration if necessary. If you want to carry out all the manipulations yourself, we advise you to follow the recommendations below.
Faux leather
Preventive measures
Cleaning
Faux leather straps are wiped with a soft sponge or cotton swab soaked in a warm solution of detergent for synthetic fabrics, trying to avoid excessive wetting of both sides of the strap and its internal contents. Residues of detergent and excess moisture are removed first with a slightly dampened and then dry soft cotton cloth. Dry the straps in a straightened state at room temperature.
Naturally, it is useless to soften and treat artificial leather with oils; in this case, it is better to wipe it with silicone glitter to make it look a little “fresher.”
Use a melamine sponge for this.
Interesting fact: once I even tried to remove such stains with nail polish remover - it didn’t help. Yes, branded silicone straps for Apple Watch can be easily cleaned with a melamine sponge. But how do I know this? About three months ago, furniture maker Vadim, who worked on the kitchen for my small apartment, advised me to use melamine sponges to clean the countertops and facades. Matte white furniture easily absorbs dirt, so the question turned out to be difficult.
I first researched local stores, and when I didn't find anything useful, I ordered a pack of melamine sponges from AliExpress.
This dirt is already ingrained, it cannot be washed or washed off without special means.
A month later I had a box of sponges.
With their help, I easily cleaned not only the countertops and facades in the kitchen, but also removed stains from painted walls, brought my AirPort Express, as well as the treasured white Apple Watch strap, to new condition.
Melamine sponge on AliExpress (from 5 rubles per piece)
How not to clean silicone
- if it was not possible to quickly wash the material, and the traces do not go away at all, then most likely nothing will be done;
- If there are drawings on the cover, or the bumper itself is not completely transparent, it is better to wash it with non-aggressive means - no ammonia or nail polish remover - otherwise the original shade may change;
- Do not use hard “tools” (like a metal sponge for dishes) - you will scratch the case or leave abrasions, but the yellowness will remain.
Silicone quickly absorbs dirt, changes color, and becomes stained. Therefore, the covers are properly looked after: cleaned, removed dust and stains; do not use aggressive substances or sharp objects. Preventive measures delay the appearance of defects and extend the service life of the accessory.
How to effectively wash a silicone case
- Take the smartphone out of the case and inspect the bumper inside and out. There should be no dust or small grains of sand on it - otherwise, when you start rubbing, the surface can be scratched.
- Prepare a solution: dilute a little liquid soap or dishwashing detergent in a small bowl or wide cup with warm water.
- Immerse the case in water and leave for 10-15 minutes.
- Next, we take out the case, take a “tool” (for example, a toothbrush), and three. You need to rub evenly over the entire area on both sides - inside and outside.
- Upon completion of the process, all that remains is to rinse off the soap solution under running water, pat the case dry with a towel and let it dry naturally.
Silicone is a fairly flexible and dense material. Silicone rubber products are valued for their strength, lightness and durability. The main disadvantage of the material is its ability to absorb dirt and change color or degree of transparency.
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What kind of sponge is this - “melamine”
Melamine sponges look something like this.
Melamine sponges cannot be called know-how, but they appeared relatively recently. They were immediately loved for their ability to remove complex contaminants from the surface that other products cannot cope with.
Each sponge consists of almost 100% melamine. These are colorless crystals that are practically insoluble in liquid.
The fibers of the melamine sponge are clearly visible even in a macro photograph
In laboratory conditions, foam is made from hot melamine resin, which turns into a soft, porous material and becomes the basis for sponges.
What not to do to avoid damaging the silicone product
- Do not place the item next to heating devices or in direct sunlight: heating and ultraviolet radiation cause the case to fade;
- Do not scrub silicone phone cases from yellowing with aggressive solutions (acetone, bleach or gasoline);
- frequent removal and donning deforms and stretches the model;
- Do not remove stubborn dirt with abrasive powders, sandpaper, or a hard brush, as scratches will appear.
To protect the accessory from damage, the model is selected according to the size of the phone.
Silicone cases require regular maintenance
