This article was co-authored by Edward Lewand. Edward Lewand is a Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser with over 36 years of experience in the jewelry industry. He completed his residency in graduate gemology at the G.I.A. in 1979, New York and now specializes in Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry, consultations and expert witness work. He is a Certified Appraiser of the Appraiser Association of America (AAA) and an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) of the American Society of Appraisers In Gems and Jewelry.
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Cleaning a stainless steel watch requires cleaning both the watch band and the watch head. Both can be cleaned using a mix of mild soap and warm water, soft cloths, and toothbrushes. If you have trouble cleaning your stainless steel watch or don’t believe you’re up to the task, contact a jeweler who can do it for you. Don’t use any chemical cleaning agents when cleaning your stainless steel watch, or you could end up damaging it.
Steps
Cleaning the Bracelet
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1Remove the watch from the bracelet. Different stainless steel watches require different bracelet detachment methods. Some will need only a simple click of a button to detach their bracelet from their watch head. Others will need a specialized screwdriver to release the bracelet from the watch head. Consult manufacturer directions for more information about how to remove the watch from the bracelet.[1]
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2Soak your watch bracelet. Submerge it in a small bowl filled with soapy water or rubbing alcohol. Soaking your watch bracelet in this way will loosen the grit and grime that it has accumulated. The length of time you allow your watch to soak depends on how grimy it is.[2]
- If it is quite dirty, leave it submerged for a few hours.
- If it is not too dirty, leave it submerged for about 30 minutes.
- If your watch’s head doesn’t detach from the bracelet, wrap paper towel or plastic wrap around it, and bind it in place with string or a rubber band. Alternately, take your watch to a jeweler for a professional cleaning.
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3Scrub between the links of the bracelet. Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush in rubbing alcohol or soapy water. Remove your bracelet from the liquid and use the toothbrush to gently scrub away discoloration or dirt that has collected within the gaps of the watch band.[3]
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4Do not use chemicals when cleaning your watch. Some chemical cleaners contain benzene or similar substances that can ruin stainless steel. They might also cause skin irritation, even when they’ve been cleaned off. Therefore, stick to soapy water or rubbing alcohol when cleaning your stainless steel watch.[4]
Cleaning the Watch Head
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1Wipe the watch head. Use a damp cloth to gently wipe away any sticky or yucky spots on the watch head. Wipe both the front and back of the watch head.[5]
- Do not remove the cover over the watch face. The cover exists to prevent dirt and rust from affecting the watch face.
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2Avoid submerging your watch head. Unless you know for sure that doing so is appropriate for your watch, do not dunk your watch head directly in soapy water or another cleaning agent. Even water-resistant watches often need to be tested or have their seals changed before being exposed to water.[6]
- Consult manufacturer directions to learn more about your watch’s water-resistant properties.
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3Scrub the watch head. If you feel your watch head is still unclean after being wiped down, you can give it a deeper cleaning with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into soapy water. Apply the bristles of the toothbrush to the watch face and move the brush in a gentle, circular motion across the face of the watch. Repeat on the back side.[7]
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4Use extra caution with decorative watches. If your watch face has markings or crystals on it, use a cotton swab to clean it. Dip the cotton swab in rubbing alcohol or soapy water and move the tip of it in a gentle, circular motion across the watch face.[8]
Completing the Cleaning Process
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1Wipe your watch down with a soft, lint-free cloth. This will prevent liquid from getting trapped in the watch band, limiting your watch’s risk of rust and corrosion. Use another soft, lint-free cloth to wipe down the watch head.
- Wipe your watch down regularly, especially after you work out or get caught in the rain.
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2Allow your watch to dry. Even after patting your watch band down with a dry cloth, it’s possible that some liquid remains between the links and crevices of the watch. To ensure your watch is totally dry, air dry it by laying it on a dry towel for an hour or so.[9]
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3Send the watch to a jeweler. If you have trouble getting your watch clean, send it to a jeweler. Jewelers have the tools and expertise necessary to clean your stainless steel watch. It’s an added cost, but doing so will save you time, and could prevent you from damaging your stainless steel watch accidentally.[10]
- You should also utilize a jeweler’s services when you wish to clean a stainless steel antique watch.[11]
References
- ↑ https://www.reference.com/beauty-fashion/clean-stainless-steel-watch-band-ede85a88b6f9d93a#
- ↑ Edward Lewand. Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser. Expert Interview. 6 August 2019.
- ↑ Edward Lewand. Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser. Expert Interview. 6 August 2019.
- ↑ http://www.citizenwatch.com/eco-sig/faq-category/care/
- ↑ http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-watch/
- ↑ http://customer-service.tagheuer.com/en-us/question/what-precautions-can-i-take-before-using-my-watch-in-water
- ↑ http://lavalier.com/watch-cleaning/
- ↑ http://lavalier.com/watch-cleaning/
- ↑ http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-watch/
- ↑ Edward Lewand. Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser. Expert Interview. 6 August 2019.
- ↑ http://lavalier.com/watch-cleaning/
About This Article
To clean your stainless steel watch, you’ll need to soak the bracelet in a cleaning solution and wipe down the watch head. First, separate your watch head from its bracelet. Some watches only need a click of a button, while others need a specialized screwdriver. Once you've separated the watch head and bracelet, soak the bracelet in soapy water or rubbing alcohol for an hour or 2. Don’t submerge the watch head, even if it’s water-resistant, since this can damage it. Instead, wipe the head with a damp cloth to get rid of any sticky spots. Then, scrub both the head and bracelet with a soft-bristled toothbrush dipped in soapy water or rubbing alcohol, which will help you get in between the links and small spaces. When you’ve finished, wipe your watch dry with a soft, lint-free cloth and re-attach the bracelet to the head. For more tips, including how to clean a decorative watch head, read on!
