Dust or dirt may not damage your timepiece or jewellery, but it is enough to make you annoyed because you have to get it serviced over and over again since it will affect the function and look of your ticker.
When it comes to maintenance, keeping the wristwatches & jewellery fresh is the key. Here is how to clean a watch at home. Please note that the following instructions are only applicable to watches & jewellery with gold, metal, and stainless steel case and strap.
1. Prepare the kit
First thing first on how to clean a watch at home is to prepare the kit. The kit includes:
- A soft toothbrush or a specific brush for watches
- 2 Pieces of clean microfiber cloth
- A pack of antibacterial wipes
- A bowl of warm water
- A bowl of warm soapy water
2. Remove and bathe the strap
Now you have all the aids needed, and it is time to remove the strap from the watch case. Separating those parts would make both easier to clean. For the strap itself, you can take it in a warm soapy bath for about 10-15 seconds.
3. Brush gently the strap
After a bathe rinse, take the strap out and brush it gently using a soft toothbrush. Pay attention to the clasp, especially if it is the folded one. This model usually catches dirt more than you know. This step is much like brushing your teeth to remove the plaque. Different straps require different treatment. Cleaning rubber and metal straps require baking soda; while leather straps require soaps.
4. Rinse the strap
Next, bring a bowl of warm water and dip the strap for 10-15 seconds to rinse. Make sure no sticky dirt is left.
5. Dry the strap with a clean microfiber cloth
Last step on the strap care, you need to pat it dry with a clean microfiber cloth. You can also utilise a hairdryer to remove all moisture from the strap.
6. Wipe the case
Once the strap is clean and dry, you can focus on cleaning the case. It is very simple and only needs a few minutes to do it. Take one of the antibacterial wipe and wipe thoroughly from one side to another surface of the case, crystal, bezel, dial side, caseback, and lugs⎯ to refresh the shine.
7. Dry the case with a clean microfiber cloth
Use the other clean microfiber cloth to dry and finish the cleaning of the case. Pat it gently. It is to ensure the dirt and wetness, from the wipe, are wiped off.
8. Reattach the strap to the case
The case and strap are entirely dry, meaning you are allowed to reattach them. Finally, you have one very clean watch to wear! It is fresh like new.
Those are the 8 steps on how to clean a watch at home.
If you have no time to do all of those yet, you can just do a quick cleaning every time you get home by wiping the whole parts of the watch with antibacterial wipes and drying it using paper towels.
However, if you are in doubt, whether because your timepieces need special care from an expert or something else, do not hesitate to ask us for advice.
When Should I Clean My Watch?
After knowing how to clean watches, you may wonder when is the best time to clean them. The answer is it depends on how often you wear your watch. Some do the deep cleaning version ⎯8 steps above⎯ weekly, and others do it monthly, or even longer. In this post, I will also share with you some signs that your wristwatch needs cleaning.
It has lost its shine
We are getting older each year. What I meant by we is you, me, and the watches. It is once sparkling, but it will fade away over the years or months. But don’t worry because your watch can get back its shine through several cleaning procedures.
Has your watch shown one of the signs?
What to Consider Before Cleaning a Watch?
We mentioned that the cleaning procedures above only work for metal, gold, and stainless steel watches. This is because other materials require extra care. Leather for example. Instead of getting clean, the process of bathing and drying just makes leather crack. To take care of it, you can wipe the leather strap with dry cloth and then apply a leather oil or conditioner.