I’ve got a Garmin vívoactive 4 that I’ve been using almost daily for the last 3 years. Recently it’s started causing some irritations on my wrist (slight redness and dry skin). I’m assuming that it needs a really good clean but I’m not sure what’s the best. Dish soap and warm water? Or is there something better?
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So am not a Garmin user (Apple) but for years now I will regularly wash my band with soap and water and regularly wipe the back of the face (the sensor part that comes in contact with your skin) with a cloth soaked lightly in alcohol.
If I am doing some outdoor work or a lot of exercise then I will always do this as well afterwards. My wife ran into some issues with her wrists after getting hers where she developed a rash and found that regularly cleaning of the watch - both band and the sensor area stopped this from happening.
I’ll give the alcohol a go. Thanks for the tip!
+1 for alcohol. I have a small smartwatch and I clean it with a tissue and alcohol. I use a toothpick to poke the damp tissue into any crevices, and also into each hole in the band. It’s gross how much dirt and grime gets stuck in those holes.
I clean my Samsung watch with a wet wipe (the kind you use on human skin - like a baby wipe or “flushable” wipe – which isn’t, never flush those things), and dry the face/underside with a smooth microfiber cloth. The band I have is some form of leather, so yrmv.
My skin can’t stand silicone bands so I stick to metal or leather.
I think dish soap is a great start. It’s mild and doesn’t have abrasives or harsh chemicals that may stain the watch. I have a Mk2i and that’s how I’ve cleaned mine when it needed it.
You may also have developed a mild allergy to whatever the back of your watch is made of, in which case cleaning won’t help.
Skin irritation is a pretty good sign that it’s about time to clean it.
If the wristband is made of silicon, you can just clean it with soap and water.
I think I’ve read somewhere that the watch itself should be washed with normal water instead. I guess there are some gaps and holes where soap isn’t welcome.
If you have a fancy metal wristband, soap will do an acceptable job, but an ultrasound bath would be better.
I just let my dog lick mine clean from time to time.
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Garmin Forerunner user here.
I just wash mine with hand soap and water after each run or if I’ve been working in the garden - typically gets washed every other day.
Three years on, no problems here.
I rinse mine in iso, scrub with an old toothbrush and rinse.
