How to Clean a Watch

You’ve finally bought that luxury watch that’s been on your wish list forever! Now, how do you make it last forever? You clean it, properly, and with the right supplies. Here are the steps for keeping your watch squeaky clean.

Before you do any cleaning, you need to make sure that your crown is screwed down all the way. This will prevent water from entering the watch case and damaging the inner parts.

Prepare a small bowl with warm water and a dime-sized squirt of mild soap. Dish soap is a good choice because it will cut the grease.

Dip a soft bristle toothbrush into the prepared water and soap mixture then scrub the watch gently. Make sure you get in all the crevices of the watch, including between the lugs. If you have a metal bracelet on your watch, make sure you are scrubbing between the links as well, as that is where most grease build-up likes to hide. If you have a leather bracelet, skip the toothbrush scrubbing and just use a damp cloth to wipe it then let dry. Nylon straps can be thrown into the washing machine. Rubber straps can be cleaned with the toothbrush method.

Rinse your watch under warm water, rinsing away any remaining soapy solution.

Dry your watch with a microfiber cloth to prevent any scratching. Make sure your watch is completely dry before you wear it. If you are in a hurry, you can use a hair dryer on a low setting to dry it quickly.

As for how often to clean your watch, it depends on your lifestyle. If you find yourself sweating it out on a regular basis, once a week is best. If not, once a month is sufficient. Another good way to preserve your watch is to wipe it down with a microfiber cloth every day. This will lessen the grime and dirt buildup you will have to clean with the toothbrush method and make your watch look cleaner for longer.