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?
10 Comments
Erasmus@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 2y
governorkeagan_@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 2y
I’ll give the alcohol a go. Thanks for the tip!
cheesymoonshadow@lemmings.world · 5 pts · 2y
+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.
SuzyQ@sh.itjust.works · 9 pts · 2y
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.
CarbonatedPastaSauce@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 2y
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.
Mothra@mander.xyz · 6 pts · 2y
The allergy part may sound outlandish but it happened to me with headphones. They were made of some kind of rubbery plastic which was absolutely fine for the first 2 years I used them, and then they became impossible to wear. Cleaning the headphones did nothing and the allergy got pretty gross, I had to see a doctor. Fortunately an ointment fixed my ears but I had to get new headphones. My guess is that the material they were made of started to degrade/change chemically with time, like faux leather and rubber does, and my skin developed an allergy to it.
governorkeagan_@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
I’ve had a feeling that it might be something like this. I had a free trial for Whoop and didn’t get a reaction to that.
TranquilTurbulence@lemmy.zip · 6 pts · 2y
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.
CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.work · 5 pts · 2y
I just let my dog lick mine clean from time to time.
skullgiver@popplesburger.hilciferous.nl · 3 pts · 2y
timmytbt@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 2y
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.
Manifish_Destiny@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y
I rinse mine in iso, scrub with an old toothbrush and rinse.