How to Clean a Watch at Home: Steel, Leather, Mesh, Silicone and Smartwatch Straps

By Robert · 21 October 2026 · 8 min read

A watch sits on your wrist all day, collecting sweat, dust, lotion and perfume. Left alone, that grime dulls the case, stains the strap, makes the buttons sticky and can even cause skin irritation. The fix takes about 10 minutes and things you already have at home. This guide shows you how to clean a watch safely, step by step for each strap material, and which mistakes to avoid.

What You Need

A soft microfibre cloth (the kind used for glasses)
A soft, clean toothbrush (an old one is fine, as long as it's soft)
A bowl of lukewarm water, not hot
A few drops of mild liquid soap, such as dish soap
Cotton buds and a toothpick for tight corners
A dry towel

Before You Start: Check the Water Resistance

Look at the back of the case for a rating such as 3 ATM, 5 ATM, 30M or 50M.

3 ATM / 30 m or more: you can wipe the case and bracelet with a damp cloth and brush them, but don't soak or rinse the watch head under a running tap.
5 ATM / 50 m or more: a quick rinse under a gentle tap is fine.
No rating, or "Water Resistant" only: clean with a barely damp cloth and keep water away from the watch head.

Whatever the rating, make sure the crown is pushed all the way in before you start, and never press buttons while the watch is wet. Our guide to watch water resistance explains each rating in detail.

How to Clean a Stainless Steel Watch Bracelet

Steel bracelets, like the one on the Chenxi 683, collect the most dirt between the links.

Remove the watch and lay it on a towel.
Dip the toothbrush in soapy lukewarm water and shake off the excess.
Scrub the links gently, paying attention to the gaps between them and the inside of the clasp. Hold the watch head so the bracelet is below it, keeping water away from the case.
Clear stubborn dirt between the links with a toothpick.
Wipe off the soap with a cloth dampened in clean water.
Dry it thoroughly with the towel, then polish with the microfibre cloth.

If the watch is rated 5 ATM or more, you can rinse the bracelet under a gentle tap instead of wiping. If your bracelet is very dirty, it's often easier to remove it from the case first. See our watch strap guide for how to remove it without scratching.

How to Clean a Leather Watch Strap

Leather and water don't mix. Soaking a leather strap makes it stiff, cracked and smelly, so clean it dry or almost dry.

Wipe the strap with a dry microfibre cloth to remove dust.
For dirt and sweat marks, use a cloth that is barely damp with soapy water. Wring it out until it is almost dry, then wipe gently.
Clean the inside of the strap, where sweat builds up, in the same way.
Air-dry it flat at room temperature. Don't put it in the sun or near a heater, which dries out leather.
Optional: once every month or two, rub in a very small amount of leather conditioner with a clean cloth.

Leather straps wear out with time, especially in hot weather or if you sweat a lot. If yours is cracked, peeling or smelly, a replacement is cheaper than you might think. Our watch repairs team fits genuine leather straps. Watches with leather straps, such as the Hannah Martin Gents 1231, stay looking new for longer if you take them off before exercise.

How to Clean a Mesh Strap

Mesh straps, like the one on the Hannah Martin Ladies 1251, trap dirt and lotion in the weave.

Brush along the weave with a soft toothbrush dipped in soapy water, keeping water away from the watch head.
Wipe it with a cloth dampened in clean water.
Dry it well with a towel, then leave it to air-dry fully before wearing, so moisture doesn't stay trapped in the mesh.

How to Clean a Silicone or Rubber Strap

Silicone straps, like the one on the Curren 9113, are the easiest to clean.

Remove the strap from the watch if it has quick-release pins.
Wash it in soapy lukewarm water, scrubbing any marks with the toothbrush.
Rinse and dry it with a towel.

If the strap can't be removed, clean it with a damp, soapy cloth and keep water away from the watch head. To remove white marks or a sticky feel, a little rubbing alcohol on a cloth works on silicone, but never use it on leather.

How to Clean the Watch Case and Glass

Wipe the case with a microfibre cloth that is slightly damp.
Clean around the bezel and crown with a dry cotton bud or a soft dry toothbrush to lift dust from the edges.
Polish the glass with the dry microfibre cloth, using small circular movements.
For crystal-set or rhinestone watches, use only a dry soft brush around the stones. Water and soap can weaken the glue that holds them.

Avoid paper towels and tissues on the glass: they can leave fine scratches and lint.

How to Clean a Smartwatch

Turn off the smartwatch and take it off the charger.
Wipe the screen and case with a slightly damp microfibre cloth.
Clean the sensors on the back gently, as sweat build-up there can affect heart rate readings.
Clean the charging contacts with a dry cotton bud. Dirty contacts are a common reason a smartwatch won't charge.
Wash the strap following the silicone steps above.

Always check the water rating of your model. Budget smartwatches like the D110 Smartwatch handle sweat and rain but are not designed to be soaked. Our guide to connecting a smartwatch to your phone also covers common charging and syncing fixes.

7 Cleaning Mistakes That Damage Watches

Using hot water. Heat can weaken the rubber seals that keep water out.
Soaking the whole watch. Even a water-resistant watch is not designed to sit in a bowl of water.
Pressing buttons or pulling the crown while wet. This lets water straight into the case.
Using strong chemicals. Bleach, jik, spirit, nail polish remover and window cleaner can damage finishes, seals and printed dials.
Using alcohol or sanitiser on leather. It dries out and cracks the strap.
Scrubbing gold or rose gold plating hard. Harsh scrubbing wears through plating. Use a soft cloth and gentle pressure.
Using an ultrasonic jewellery cleaner on the watch head. Leave that to a watch repairer, who can remove the case first.

How Often Should You Clean a Watch?

Every day: wipe the watch with a dry microfibre cloth when you take it off.
Every two to four weeks: give the strap and case a proper clean using the steps above.
After a sweaty day, the beach or a dusty trip: clean it the same day. Salt water and sweat corrode metal if left.
Every year or two: have the watch checked when you replace the battery. Our battery replacement guide explains why it's worth doing properly.

Simple Habits That Keep Your Watch Clean

Put on perfume, lotion and hair products before your watch, and let them dry.
Take your watch off before the gym, cooking, washing clothes or swimming.
Store it in its box or a soft pouch, away from other jewellery that can scratch it.
Wear it slightly looser in hot weather so your skin can breathe and the strap stays drier.

When to Bring Your Watch to a Professional

Cleaning the outside is easy, but some problems need a watch repairer:

Fog or water droplets under the glass
Rust or green marks on the case or clasp
Dust or debris inside the dial
A crown or buttons that feel gritty or stuck
A scratched or cracked glass

Our watch repairs service in Nairobi handles battery changes, strap replacements, glass replacements and full servicing. Read our guide to 8 common watch problems to learn more, or message us on WhatsApp with a photo of the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wash my watch with soap and water?

Yes, but carefully. Use lukewarm water and a mild soap on a soft toothbrush for the bracelet, and only a damp cloth on the watch head. Don't soak or rinse the head unless it is rated 5 ATM (50 m) or more, and make sure the crown is pushed in.

How do I get rid of a smell from my watch strap?

For silicone and steel, wash the strap in soapy water and dry it fully. For leather, wipe it with a barely damp soapy cloth and air-dry it. If a leather strap still smells after cleaning, it is usually time to replace it.

How do I clean a gold-plated watch without removing the colour?

Use only a soft microfibre cloth and lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap. Avoid brushes with stiff bristles, polishing pastes and chemicals, which wear through plating.