How to clean silicone watch band

Welsey asked: “How do I clean a ‘DIESEL’ blue rubber watch strap that has grime on it that will not come out with white spirit, WD-40, tar and glue remover or stain remover?”

Dirt

How to clean silicone watch band
and grime can build up on a watch band over time, masking its true beauty. While frequent cleanings will help to avoid this situation, when the build-up is no longer removable with normal cleaning, it will require more powerful solutions to break it loose. Three simple ingredients can break through the dirt and help your pieces return to their original shine.

You Will Need:

  • Baking soda
  • White toothpaste
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Cotton balls
  • Water
  • Toothbrush or other soft brush

The Cleaning Process:

This process involves a series of steps to tackle the removal of dirt and grime. Once you successful remove the dirt, any additional steps can be disregarded.

Your watch strap embodies most of your watch's personality, so you need to clean it efficiently. Rubber reacts differently to other materials, so follow our tips to get your watch strap looking new in no time. 

Cleaning your rubber watch strap doesn't have to be difficult or detrimental to the appearance of your watch.

5 steps you should follow to clean a stained rubber strap: 

  1. Be aware of any skin allergies or sensitivities 
  2. Use rubbing alcohol 
  3. Use Acetone 
  4. Use a soft toothbrush and baking soda 
  5. Notice whether its worth replacing your watch strap all together

Watch straps are arguably the most visual parts of a watch. You have the style, personality and colour - all within a strap! It can become an issue when dirt and stains get in the way of a watch's design, so it's important to know how to clean a stained rubber watch strap effectively. 

Organic material can often stick to rubber which causes abrasions and stains over time, and the crevices within rubber bands are extremely vulnerable. Think about it - if you wear your watch every day, your watch is exposed to sweat and oils constantly. This can lead to oxidation and decolourisation, ruining the design of your watch.

How to clean silicone watch band

Be aware of any skin allergies or sensitivities 

The placement of the watch strap on the body means you must be extremely careful about what products you use. You don't want these products to damage your skin, most importantly. Make sure to check over the ingredients of the products you use to avoid any allergic reactions. 

Option 1: Use Rubbing Alcohol 

Find a microfibre cloth, and apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to the stained or marked area. Use circular motions around the affected area until the dirt and grime is removed. Rubbing alcohol is great to use as it will disinfect and remove the upper damaged area of the watch strap. 

If you begin to see cracks within the watch strap, bear in mind that this is an indication that it may be worth buying a new one completely. 

Option 2: Acetone 

It is best to use acetone for infrequent deep cleans, as it is a lot stronger than rubbing alcohol. This is due to the fact that it will take off a deeper first layer than the first option. Using this option too frequently may decrease the life of your strap. 

To use acetone, follow the same steps as option one but do not do this option more than once or twice a year if so. 

How to clean silicone watch band

Option 3: Soft Toothbrush and Baking Soda 

Make sure to use a soft toothbrush for this option, as a hard toothbrush may damage the rubber too much. 

Mix some baking soda with a small amount of water to create a paste, similar to toothpaste. Depending on the amount of dirt and grime, use your fingers or the soft brush to apply the paste. 

Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly afterwards to ensure no product build-up. 

Option 4: WD-40 (if nothing else works...)

This is probably the least recommended method as it can potentially be the most damaging. 

To carry out the procedure, follow the same steps as option one, but this should only be used as a last resort. 

Make sure to use a minimal quantity until your desired outcome. 

How to clean silicone watch band

For everyday upkeep...

To ensure that your watch strap is always up to standard, clean your straps daily. Use mild soap and water to remove any oils, sweat or lotions. Avoid brushes and cloths where possible, and use your fingers as they are the softest for the watch strap material. 

Not everything can live forever unfortunately...

Even if there were such thing as perfect watch care, rubber straps only last so long...

Sometimes it is definitely a better option to replace the watch strap completely. Thankfully, we have you covered if this is the case. We have a large range of rubber watch straps, available in every colour and design imaginable. 

For more information on watches, watch straps and accessories, do not hesitate to contact us or visit our website.

How do you remove discoloration from a silicone watch band?

Fill a large cup or a small bowl with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Submerge both parts of your silicone watch band for five minutes. If they float to the surface, you may have to weigh them down with a heavy object. Gently rub the watch band between your fingers if you notice discoloration.

How do you remove stains from silicone rubber?

Scrub Tough Stains With Baking Soda Wash the silicone in hot, soapy water. Use your fingers to feel for any remaining sticky spots. If you find them, sprinkle a sponge with baking soda and scrub gently.

How do you clean a white silicone Apple Watch band?

Wipe the band clean with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth. If necessary, lightly dampen the cloth with fresh water. With these bands, you can also use mild hypoallergenic hand soap for cleaning. Dry the band with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth before you attach it to your Apple Watch.