We’re often critical of self-hygiene and the cleanliness of our surroundings, but have we considered how dirty our essential items, such as our smartphones and watches, may be? Let’s be honest, we hardly ever clean our watches, and maybe... we should.
A UK company recently found that a wristwatch can be 8 times dirtier than a toilet. OK, maybe not a Malaysian public toilet, but watches are definitely dirtier than the toilet in your home.
via GIPHY
Tic Watches did CSI-style swabs on 10 different types of watches, and they found all sorts of bacteria, yeast and mould. The dirtiest were fitness trackers, which had 8 times more germs than a toilet seat and flush handle, presumably because of all the sweat and grime that builds up between the watch and the skin.
Next up are plastic and leather watches, ahead of metal ones. Surprisingly, a man's watch with a leather strap was the cleanest of the lot. But that's not saying much because it's still 3 times dirtier than a toilet.
So, what now? According to Tic Watches, you should wash your watches at least once a month, especially if you wear one every day.
Here's how you do it.
via GIPHY
Wash the strap separately. You can dip a steel or plastic strap in water mixed with a mild detergent. For a metal strap, replace the detergent with a bit of vinegar. Scrub away any dirt using a cloth or soft brush. Give it a rinse and dry thoroughly.
As for the watch head, you can just give it a wipe with a damp cloth. You can also give it a gentle scrub using a toothbrush dipped in soapy water.
There you have it, it's time to make our watches clean again!
