Jewellery & Watch News
Across the world we are all being reminded daily to wash our hands, but what about our watches and fitness trackers? They sit right on our wrists and make a perfect home for germs and bacteria to live. They are especially easy targets for the COVID-19 virus which has been found to survive on plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours.
With that being said, it is more important than ever to ensure your watch is cleaned thoroughly to help yourself and others around you avoid catching the virus. Experts have suggested that before you go about washing your hands, you should remove all of your jewellery, rings and watches. This way, you can clean all the hidden nooks you might normally miss before washing each item separately. And while we have more time on our hands than usual, let’s take care of our favourite pieces and give them some much needed TLC!
How to clean your watch
Cleaning your watch is super easy and can be done with basic essentials you have in the home; all you will need is some warm water, soap and a soft bristled toothbrush. Simply dip the toothbrush in warm soapy water and brush gently over the watch face and case back. Be careful not to scrub harshly, you just need to gently remove any dirt that has built up over time. We also recommend using a moistened cotton bud to clean some of the narrower crevices. However, do not remove any of the watch components like the glass or case back!
You can also wipe down metal bracelets, leather and rubber straps with soap and warm water, and dependant on the material, you can also leave your strap to soak for a while to remove more persistent dirt. As always, make sure to check your manufacturer’s guide and/or website before cleaning your watch and check your watch has a water resistant rating that allows you to use water. If you have an old or vintage watch, it may be best to take it into a certified jewellery store like any of the C W Sellors boutiques where we can give it a safe and professional service.
How to clean your smartwatch
Unlike traditional analog watches, warm water and soap is best avoided when cleaning smartwatches unless the manufacturer has advised you can do so. Instead, use an alcohol or disinfect wipe to gentle wipe down the electronic component to remove and kill any bacteria. Just be careful not to allow any moisture into the charging point or any other small fissure. If the strap on your smartwatch is removable, you can still clean this with warm soapy water.
If at any point you feel are unsure cleaning your watch yourself, leave it to the pros. Drop it off at one of your local jewellers including any C W Sellors boutique where we can give your watch a deep clean for you. We also provide comprehensive watch servicing and a variety of watch repair options including battery changes, watch glass replacements, new watch straps, dial restorations and other types of watch refurbishment.
We have also created a handy guide for those wanting to know how to clean jewellery to help protect against coronavirus. Whether you wear sterling silver jewellery, gold jewellery or diamond jewellery, we have a range of fantastic jewellery cleaning kits that will help you diminish the risk of infection.
For those still concerned about the spread of the Coronavirus, we also recommend reading some of our smartwatch guides that explain how smartwatches can help with the detection of viruses. By wearing a smartwatch like a Garmin Fenix 6 or a Garmin MARQ, you can reduce the risk of spread by monitoring your heart rate, Pulse Ox, sleep pattern and more.
