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Best Way To Clean Watches To Prevent Virus Spread

Jewellery & Watch News

Our trusty timepieces come with us wherever we go, providing unbeatable precision, remarkable functionality and all-round stunning aesthetics. But as we go about our day to day lives our watches and jewellery become easy targets for germs and bacteria to live, and in the wake of the spreading coronavirus, it is more important than ever to give our watches and smartwatches the clean they deserve!

We are being reminded daily to wash our hands, but studies have proven that the COVID-19 virus can survive on hard surfaces like plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours. This means your watch could be the very thing that spreads the disease to you or a loved one. To make sure this doesn’t happen, here’s the best way to clean your watch to prevent virus spread…

How to clean your watch

Before you wash your hands, we recommend you remove any jewellery and watches to make sure you clean the skin beneath them that you might usually miss. Most watches can then be cleaned using warm water, soap and a soft bristled toothbrush. Simply fill the sink with warm water and soap, dip the toothbrush in and gently brush over the watch face and case back. You do not need to scrub the brush harshly, just gently remove any dirt and dust that has built up over time. You can also use a moistened cotton bud to get into some of the narrower crevices.

To clean a smartwatch or wearable, it is best to avoid soapy water unless the manufacturer has advised you can do so. Instead you should use an alcohol or disinfectant wipe. Take care not to allow any moisture into the charging point or any other small fissures.

For the straps of both traditional watches and smartwatches, you can wipe them down with warm water and soap, and dependant on the material, it may be useful to let your strap soak for a while to remove any stubborn dirt or debris. After you have cleaned your watch, we suggest polishing it with a watch polishing cloth to bring its dazzling shine back!

Before cleaning your watch, we recommend that you check the water resistant rating allows you to follow the method above. If you have an old or vintage watch, we also suggest you refrain from using water and stick to a disinfectant wipe. If you are still unsure then 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.

For those still concerned about the spread of the Coronavirus, we 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. Read more about this here.

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