Big fan of washing bands, do you?

[Htsi]

I wash all my watch bands except leather and link bracelet. I’ve found it keeps them super fresh and clean, do you also do it, if not I’d suggest you to try. Hand washing is the gentlest way to go about this.

bands I wash

1. Braided Solo Loop

Noticed the red turning white on the side touching my wrist, and black outside. Didn’t notice this with the Inverness green.
Post Wash - feels clean and vibrant.

2. Milanese

Never got dirty, but still washed it. No rust or anything. Barely wear it.

3. Solo Loop

Crap band, regular washing. Ultimately returned it. Noticed no ill effects of washing.

4. Sport Loop

Feels clean is all, regular cleaning should keep lighter colors better.

I use spectacles wipes on my link bracelet.
soap used has been hand wash or face wash

 

[Apple_Robert]

I wash my bands as well although I haven’t tried the Braided Solo as it hasn’t gotten dirty, and I am also reticent given the price tag.

 

[Htsi]

I wash my bands as well although I haven’t tried the Braided Solo as it hasn’t gotten dirty, and I am also reticent given the price tag.

I noticed the most noticeable difference with the braided solo in red after washing

 

[Apple_Robert]

I noticed the most noticeable difference with the braided solo in red after washing

I have the blue band. I will keep an eye on it and give it a shot if it gets dirty.

 

[Smigit]

I don’t specifically wash them, but I wear my watch in the shower other than when I’m using a leather band, so they do get soaked still.

 

[Htsi]

I don’t specifically wash them, but I wear my watch in the shower other than when I’m using a leather band, so they do get soaked still.

I’ve found the need to clean the lug channels post shower as water accumulates there.

 

[Smigit]

I’ve found the need to clean the lug channels post shower as water accumulates there.

Haven’t noticed that myself. I have a few bands that I’m rotating every few days. Lug areas dry whenever I remove the watch.

 

[Royksöpp]

I've never worn the same sport loop for more than one day at a time, so those stay pretty clean. The sport bands are what I wear to the gym. I feel comfortable getting those dirty because of how easy they are to clean. I'll usually wipe mine down at the end of the day with the damp towel I used after my shower. I will then put it with my others and pick out which band I will wear the next day.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Soap and water for my Sport Bands.

But what about Sport Loop? I've just recently starting wear these, and they're also the bands on my kids' watches. Soap and water OK for these, too?

 

[iAssimilated]

Soap and water for my Sport Bands.

But what about Sport Loop? I've just recently starting wear these, and they're also the bands on my kids' watches. Soap and water OK for these, too?

Yes, soap and water will work on the Sport Loop as well (currently have three in the family). I use liquid hand soap when washing ours. Once they are washed and rinsed, pat the band(s) down with a dry towel then let them air dry.

 

[Htsi]

Soap and water for my Sport Bands.

But what about Sport Loop? I've just recently starting wear these, and they're also the bands on my kids' watches. Soap and water OK for these, too?

Yep it’s perfect.

I’ve started washing the red braided loop 2x a week and it’s all good so far. Cleaning the link bracelet with UV box & Spectacle wipes.

 

[Htsi]

I've never worn the same sport loop for more than one day at a time, so those stay pretty clean. The sport bands are what I wear to the gym. I feel comfortable getting those dirty because of how easy they are to clean. I'll usually wipe mine down at the end of the day with the damp towel I used after my shower. I will then put it with my others and pick out which band I will wear the next day.

Try soap and water, makes a huge difference in my limited experience with the solo loop.

 

[paper cup]

i get pretty dirty at work. every night for the past few years i’ve taken my apple watch into the shower with me and washed it with body wash.

never any issues, still looks great. it is a sports band though. definitely wouldn’t wash a leather band every day.

 

[Htsi]

i get pretty dirty at work. every night for the past few years i’ve taken my apple watch into the shower with me and washed it with body wash.

never any issues, still looks great. it is a sports band though. definitely wouldn’t wash a leather band every day.

Haha you can’t wash leather, it’ll get messed up real quick. My dad killed a nomad strap this way.

leather cleaning is with leather cleaner (or wipes) or Clorox (dicey)

 

[paper cup]

Haha you can’t wash leather, it’ll get messed up real quick. My dad killed a nomad strap this way.

leather cleaning is with leather cleaner (or wipes) or Clorox (dicey)

haha yeah i knew that but i’m sure a lot of other people didn’t.

i absolutely love how worn-in leather looks, and i’d love to give a leather strap a go, but i don’t think i’d be able to keep it safe from the elements. i have a brown leather wallet thats several years old and it looks amazing!

 

[Htsi]

haha yeah i knew that but i’m sure a lot of other people didn’t.

i absolutely love how worn-in leather looks, and i’d love to give a leather strap a go, but i don’t think i’d be able to keep it safe from the elements. i have a brown leather wallet thats several years old and it looks amazing!

Tell you what,
Consider it a consumable, and get leather wipes. You’ll be good to go. The good leather bands aren’t super fragile and can take some abuse.
nomad is cheap and leather feels lovely, but lugs are not exact fit.
apple leather bands I haven’t tried but I think modern buckle will be most resilient , it was on eBay for $70 sealed in box. So similar pricing to nomad.
End of the day, if $70 lasts you 7 months. Not bad at all.

 

[Htsi]

You could also go all out with Hermès

 

[sean000]

I can't answer the question because it depends on the band. I wear my fluoroelastomer sport band and woven nylon sport loops for exercise, so I wash those in the sink with soap and water... usually immediately after exercise if they get sweaty enough. Other times just once a week or two. I don't wash my leather bands with soap and water. I just wipe them down with a damp cloth.