Using dry microfiber to clean an Apple Watch

[Synna]

Dear Community,

I got myself a new S6SS Apple Watch, my first Apple Watch ever, and I'm really happy with it. However, I am struggling with the best way to clean it.

Ideally, I would like to clean it with dry microfiber cloth, but I am not sure if...

...dry microfiber cloth is "enough" to clean off light sweat/smudges etc.? I wouldn't be comfortable using a wet cloth, as our tap water has quite a lot of minerals in it.

...there is a difference in microfibre cloths? I read that any kind of microfibre is fine for cleaning an Apple Watch, while other sources say that there's differences in types and some microfibres might still scratch the Watch? At the moment, I am using microfibre cloths that have, kind of, "longer fibers" (cf. attachment)

So, I am thankful for any insights. Is a dry microfiber cloth "enough" when cleaning an Apple Watch (or any other Apple devices)? Is there really a difference between microfibers regarding scratches, or does any kind of microfiber work? (I am also using felt sleeves for my iPad and iPhone, for example, so if microfiber can already scratch devices, then these should too, right?)

 

[bricktop_at]

I clean my Apple Watches with microfibre cloths and am very happy with it - nice and clean.
From time to time I clean them with a bit of mild soap and water, same way I treat my straps.

 

[Expos of 1969]

I am very anti bottled water but perhaps you should keep one around for this purpose.

 

[Synna]

I clean my Apple Watches with microfibre cloths and am very happy with it - nice and clean.
From time to time I clean them with a bit of mild soap and water, same way I treat my straps.

Do you make a difference between different microfibre cloths and/or do you notice any scratches caused by it?

 

[bricktop_at]

Do you make a difference between different microfibre cloths and/or do you notice any scratches caused by it?

No on both accounts ;-)

 

[Lee_Bo]

WHOOSH! | Award-Winning Multipurpose Glass Screen Cleaners

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I've been using Whoosh to clean my phone, tablet, watch, glasses, etc. for several years with no issues.

 

[Synna]

WHOOSH! | Award-Winning Multipurpose Glass Screen Cleaners

Whoosh! is the screen cleaner of choice in Apple retail stores. Available in all sizes, our screen cleaners are safe for all screens, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and multipurpose. You can find them in retail stores, on our shop, and on Amazon. Don’t risk damaging your phone or TV with harsh...

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I've been using Whoosh to clean my phone, tablet, watch, glasses, etc. for several years with no issues.

Thanks for the tip, unfortunately, they do not seem to ship internationally. :-(

 

[bricktop_at]

Thanks for the tip, unfortunately, they do not seem to ship internationally. :-(

A quality cloth and maybe a drop of water or soap will be well enough, trust me ;-)

 

[jz0309]

I’ve been showering with my S4 SBSS for almost 3 years now, every day, and occasionally clean it with a tshirt… have yet to see ill effects because of it…

 

[Synna]

A quality cloth and maybe a drop of water or soap will be well enough, trust me ;-)

I’ve been showering with my S4 SBSS for almost 3 years now, every day, and occasionally clean it with a tshirt… have yet to see ill effects because of it…

Thanks a lot, that sounds reassuring! 😍

 

[andyw715]

I use my shirt

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I wipe my iPhone and Apple Watch down with 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes and then follow with a microfiber cloth. Been doing it for years and works like a charm..

 

[Lee_Bo]

Thanks for the tip, unfortunately, they do not seem to ship internationally. :-(

It's also available on Amazon.

 

[2REPOU]

I just wipe it on my shirt or pants. The microfibe thing is over the top. Its going to get bashed up just wearing it. If you're really worried, leave it in the box. Will stay like new!

 

[Novius89]

Once every couple of days I just switch my braided loop for the sports band, or my mobyfox Star Wars band, and take it with me in the shower.

dry it afterwards with the towel, and it’s clean as a whistle

 

[MacCheetah3]

I wipe the watch with a little amount of distilled water on a clean dish towel, then buff a bit with a dry microfiber cloth. If necessary, a little amount of 70% isopropyl alcohol rather than water to wash the rear dome, etc. I do a similar routine for my iPhone and iPad. Alcohol will wear off the oleophobic coating faster.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I just wipe it on my shirt or pants. The microfibe thing is over the top. Its going to get bashed up just wearing it. If you're really worried, leave it in the box. Will stay like new!

I don't think using a microfiber cloth is over the top. If anything, it is rather benign, in my opinion. The reason for using the cloth is to not introduce foreign matter debris to the watch face thus potentially causing micro scratches while attempting to clean the watch face.

 

[sdz]

I use alcohol wipes for glasses. More hygienic in my opinion (sweat and bacteria)

 

[trevpimp]

Microfibre clothes are you're best bet and if you really wanna know what could be a better way is if you use glasses cleaning clothes its a smaller fibre clothe, maybe search Apple cleaning cloth and see what search results you get that's the kind of cloth I'm talking about

Heres a link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/3920033344...T4PFfr3V5KHeRWdUkgXPbLqlzzFITbWRoCLKAQAvD_BwE

 

[ritheshmn]

I’ve had my Series 0 SS from the time it came out and I’ve just used my TShirt to keep it clean!
I’ve worn it every day since and it’s been through a fair share of dings and drops too!

A year ago I used Cape Cod Polishing Cloth to brush off the light scratches and it’s still looking good!

So… it’s nice that you want to take care of it but I wouldn’t give it a thought even!

 

[ApfelKuchen]

The only cloth (whether microfiber or a cotton shirt) that may scratch a Watch or iPhone is a dirty cloth - it's not the cloth that would scratch the glass, it's the dirt embedded in the cloth.

Microfiber cloth is made with soft plastics - typically polyester or nylon. Those materials are too soft to scratch glass, especially the hardened glass used in Watch and smartphone displays.

Those extra-hard glasses do have an oleophobic (oil-resistant) coating to resist the accumulation of fingerprints and to make it easy to wipe off what skin oils may accumulate. Those coatings are very durable, but less durable than the glass that they cover. If you were to constantly scrub a touchscreen display then you risk damaging that coating. Many of the light scratches that accumulate on a touchscreen are actually scratches in the coating.

So if you use a clean microfiber cloth and rub gently, cleaning should not damage your Watch.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

I’ve had my Series 0 SS from the time it came out and I’ve just used my TShirt to keep it clean!
I’ve worn it every day since and it’s been through a fair share of dings and drops too!

A year ago I used Cape Cod Polishing Cloth to brush off the light scratches and it’s still looking good!

So… it’s nice that you want to take care of it but I wouldn’t give it a thought even!

I'm assuming you used the Cape Cod Polishing Cloth to brush off light scratches in the metal. Cape Cod cloths are abrasive - not something you should use on a glass touch screen.

 

[nburwell]

I always clean my AW's with either a tshirt that I'm wearing or a microfibre cloth. No downsides with either approach from my experience.