Not sure why this old thread got bumped up, but definitely do NOT put the watch in the ultrasonic cleaner, unless you want to end up like this member.
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How To Clean Milanese Loop Band?
- Thread starter NJRonbo
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So I just tried to spray iKlear on the milanese loop and dry it with the microfiber cloth.
It did not do anything I think.
1. I didn't cause any damage by wiping and pulling with the microfiber, could I have? I don't think so, I'm just nervous that I did.
2. What's the best way to clean this now that it's been out months? Is my only option to get a jewelry cleaner or something?
Thanks for all your help.
Mel
It did not do anything I think.
1. I didn't cause any damage by wiping and pulling with the microfiber, could I have? I don't think so, I'm just nervous that I did.
2. What's the best way to clean this now that it's been out months? Is my only option to get a jewelry cleaner or something?
Thanks for all your help.
Mel
exactly. I use dawn detergent - works fine, too many overthink this....
My wife soaks my Milanese loop band in her jewelry cleaner... just an overnight soak and a quick rinse and pat dry.
You want to dissolve the "gunk" that has accumulated inside the band. I would remove the watch from the band and soak it in ammonia overnight. Rinse, dry and it should be clean as new.
I was told this by a jeweler and have done it for years. I drop my whole mechanical watch in the ammonia and it comes out sparkling clan.
I was told this by a jeweler and have done it for years. I drop my whole mechanical watch in the ammonia and it comes out sparkling clan.
Thank you for the tip. I had planned to buy a AW Series 4 SS with Milanese Loop from Verizon but it was back ordered to Nov 4, 2018. So I got one with the sports band instead. I am cleaning my Milanese band from my series 2 up in anticipation of getting my new watch Friday.
I used to feel like you, only wearing the Milanese for special occasions, but I soon grew tired of switching the bands all the time, and I found the Milanese the most comfortable everyday band, even for exercising. It’s breathable, infinitely adjustable, rinses easily with water and a little soap on occasion.
Do you think I could do this as well with the space black Milanese?
Or do I have to be concerned since it is not pure stainless steel. I assume the black is coating and I just would want to avoid discoloration.
I've got a space black Milanese - I take it off the watch, wash it in hot soapy (washing up liquid) water, rinse it off under the tap and dab it dry with a paper towel, then put it on; so the heat of my wrist will drive off any remaining moisture.
I've had it for just under 2 years - still looks pristine.
I've had it for just under 2 years - still looks pristine.
It would be just fine. Just remove from the watch and let soak. Rinse well and it will be clean.
Originally I tried the brush / tooth brush method. It did remove some of it to a point that I found it acceptable. This is the method I used since my Watch 0 series from June 2015.
However after reading this I tried the above method. I got me a bottle of ammonia on Monday. Put my stainless steel band in a glass with ammonia overnight and rinsed it the next morning.
Wow, what a difference. Even so I just had cleaned with for 10 to 15 minutes with a Ultrasonic tooth brush, I could see the discoloration indicating how much more "gunk" was removed with this method. It hadn't been that clean and shiny since 2015. Only the cover from the magnet came off, which I easily glued back on with some gorilla glue.
Based on this result I tried my newer space black Milanese band overnight last night. The result was the same. I can as well confirm that it didn't impact the coloration of the space black.
Thanks for the great tip. I will add it to my cleaning cycle going forward.
Thank you for that. I just ordered one for myself. Woke up this morning with a rash under my watch band. Figured I probably needed to clean it.
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The electric toothbrush with hot soapy water (Dawn detergent if you can get it) is a great way to clean. Pat dry with a soft microfiber cloth then use compressed air (air in a can) like what’s used to clean keyboards etc and spray the watchband thoroughly to get all the hidden water out then dry again. Just drying can leave water inside the mesh of the watchband.
I use alcohol swabs, like nurses use when you get a shot or blood draw, on back of watch. I wipe it down then immediately dry it with microfiber cloth. No streaks, fog or anything like that.
I use alcohol swabs, like nurses use when you get a shot or blood draw, on back of watch. I wipe it down then immediately dry it with microfiber cloth. No streaks, fog or anything like that.
I'm not sure what's wrong with an ultrasonic cleaner if you are only doing the band personally.
I would definitely avoid putting the watch body in it though!
The one I have even has parts to put a watch around to keep the body out of the liquid and just do the band but in this particular case the fact that the Milanese Loop can be taken off very easily means you can just do it on it's own without risking anything related to the body.
I would definitely avoid putting the watch body in it though!
The one I have even has parts to put a watch around to keep the body out of the liquid and just do the band but in this particular case the fact that the Milanese Loop can be taken off very easily means you can just do it on it's own without risking anything related to the body.
I put my DLC-coated Milanese Loop (Space Black from my Series 3) in an ultrasonic cleaner with a few drops of Dawn dish detergent in clean RO water. I couldn't believe the gunk that came out and the band had that like-new "grippy" surface texture again. Initially I tried it with the supplied plastic basket, which is said to reduce the cleaning power somewhat in exchange for protecting more delicate items.
The second time I ran it through without the plastic basket, and the DLC coating started to come off, I think, based on the gray silt remaining in the bottom of the water. Beware of being too aggressive with an ultrasonic cleaner!
On a side note, such a cleaning device is handy - you end up finding all sorts of uses for it (dental appliances, eyeglasses, thermos sip-through lids, etc). Definitely keep the lid on while cleaning though... I received a Loud Noise warning from my new AW6 when using the cleaner with the lid open... all I could hear was a hissing noise, but apparently the AW6 could detect the 46 kHz this model runs at.
The second time I ran it through without the plastic basket, and the DLC coating started to come off, I think, based on the gray silt remaining in the bottom of the water. Beware of being too aggressive with an ultrasonic cleaner!
On a side note, such a cleaning device is handy - you end up finding all sorts of uses for it (dental appliances, eyeglasses, thermos sip-through lids, etc). Definitely keep the lid on while cleaning though... I received a Loud Noise warning from my new AW6 when using the cleaner with the lid open... all I could hear was a hissing noise, but apparently the AW6 could detect the 46 kHz this model runs at.
I got a Magnasonic cleaner from Amazon and it works great on the band, to clean the watch, I use a small dental brush for in between teeth with warm water, around the crown knob which gets sticky every now and then.
If you could, can you link which cleaner you purchased from Amazon? (Any drawbacks or issues?) I’ve looked at those in the past, but never pulled trigger. One member actually recommended one years ago, but I don’t recall which model it was.