And smartwatches with leather and plastic straps turned out to be 3,3 times dirtier than a toilet.
The company conducted a survey and found that one in four never cleaned their watches, while one in five wipes their watches every six months or less.
“Whether you wear the watch every day or just during work hours, one thing is for sure: we don’t clean our watches as often as we wash our hands,” said Daniel Richmond, managing director of Tic Watches. “Unfortunately, not all watches are waterproof, so lack of contact with water while wearing them can be the main cause of bacteria build-up.”
To protect yourself from germs and preserve the appearance of your favorite accessories, employees of the company advise once a month to give your watch for a professional cleaning in a specialized store or to clean it yourself at home.
How to clean your watch at home
1. Remove the watch from the strap. Press the button to detach the bracelet from the watch head. Otherwise, use a screwdriver. If the bracelet cannot be removed, be extremely careful not to get the watch wet.
2. Take a bowl of water and add some dishwashing liquid for stainless steel or plastic straps. For a leather strap, dissolve a small amount of white vinegar in water.
3. Soak the strap in the solution for 30 minutes. If the strap is very dirty, leave it in the solution for a few hours.
4. Use a soft cloth or sponge to gently rinse off any dirt. A soft toothbrush will work great, but don’t press too hard to avoid scratching the watch.
5. Rinse the straps in clean water.
6. Using a damp cloth, clean the watch case. For stubborn dirt, use a soft toothbrush dampened with soapy water. Do not immerse your watch in water unless it is waterproof.
7. Dry the watch with a cloth or leave it on a dry towel for a couple of hours.
8. Attach the watch case to the strap after both parts are completely dry.