Many wristwatches are unique pieces that need maintenance from time to time. If you think it has lost brightness, tone or color, perhaps it is time for you to know how to clean a wristwatch Faced with everything we can have at our disposal, we must bear in mind that not just any product is effective.
If your idea is to use a special chemical for metals, we must say do not rush because the result can damage the shiny layer of your watch It is better to use some of our small tutorials using first-hand products.
Cleaning a stainless steel wristwatch
For quick cleaning without soaking you can use a soft microfiber cloth. We will rub gently and for a couple of minutes to remove all the fingerprints and some stains. If you want to get more out of your cleaning and give it a lot more shine, we can add a little glass cleaner or multipurpose. Although it seems strange to you, it is a great ally to make stainless steel very shiny. Another product that we can use is the White vinegar, since it is disinfectant and also shines. We will rub any area that we see dirty and wait to see its result.
You can use baking soda, vinegar or toothpaste
Another homemade way to clean this type of metal is using the sodium bicarbonate. To do this, we will heat a little water and add a few tablespoons in the baking soda. The idea is create a paste with which we will rub all the corners of the clock. To remove the bicarbonate we will use a damp cloth in water to remove all the excess, do not allow any to remain because it could be corrosive over time.
with the toothpaste we can do the same and with the help of a cloth to gently rub it or using a toothbrush. The brush will help get into all those nooks and crannies for lift embedded dirt. We will finally pass a clean cloth or cotton, with circular movements to leave Clean and polish the surface.
Submerge the watch for a deep clean
The ideal is to separate watch case strap, so that both parts are cleaned separately. Lots of straps they need to be soaked, depending on the dirt, hence they need to be away from their mechanism. On the other hand, some watches can be immersed in water, since they are resistant, where you can do that cleaning.
The liquid has to be warm water with a small amount of soap or half white vinegar. If the strap is rubber we can use alcohol. If you have been able to remove the straps you can submerge them in some of these liquids for about a few fifteen minutes.
plastic straps for smart watches
This type of watch is easy to separate its case from the bracelet. This step can also be used for straps made of other types of metal. In this case we will prepare a small bowl with hot water (not boiling) and we'll throw some drops of liquid detergent. We'll leave it submerged for a few fifteen minutes so that the dirt softens. Then we can brush the areas with a toothbrush, with a cloth or cotton swabs. We will focus on all the areas with relief, in the nooks and crannies, screen-printed areas and grooves. Then we will dry well with a clean cloth.
Leather straps
Leather straps can also be cleaned with the help of soapy water and a soft cloth. We will pour a soap with a neutral PH and apply it on the strap with circular movements. To finish, we remove the excess soap with a little water and we will finish drying in the open air.
Watch Case Cleaning
This piece may or may not be waterproof. However, their contact with water will be minimized as much as possible in case measures need to be taken. We will use soapy water a soft-bristled toothbrush. We will rub all the parts with circular movements and making an incidence in all the rough parts, with folds in some stone inlays, if any. With the help of a cotton swab you can also clean some of these parts and they can be finished off with isopropyl alcohol or the same soapy water.
To finish, we let the watch dry. with a soft cloth we will rub all the parts and nooks and crannies to remove all excess liquid. Then we can let it dry on a towel so that all the moisture is removed.
How often should we clean a watch?
Ser recommences to do a deep cleaning once a month or after several months. Yes, you can clean the straps every day with a small cloth to remove the dirt during the day.
There are expensive watches and they are unique pieces. As a recommendation, we recommend that this type of watch be taken to a professional or watchmaker so that he can advise you how to clean it or if it is possible to have it cleaned or restored.