Your Smartwatch Band Is Probably Covered in Harmful Bacteria. Here’s How to Clean It

Do you usually sanitize your smartwatch band? You will wish to now. A scientific examine revealed in Could examined 20 totally different watch and health tracker bands and located 95% had been contaminated with no less than one kind of dangerous micro organism that may trigger infections. 

The paper detailed how researchers examined bands worn by 20 random, nameless individuals. The wristbands had been rubber, plastic, material, metallic and leather-based, with the paper stating that we put on our watches and health trackers whereas understanding, swimming, holding pets, consuming and sleeping, and but we don’t typically sanitize them.

Of the 20 watch bands, researchers discovered that 85% had Staphylococcus aureus (Staph aureus), 60% had Escherichia coli (E. coli) and 30% had Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) micro organism current. Rubber and plastic bands had the very best charges of dangerous micro organism on them, whereas metallic gold and silver bands had the bottom, as revealed earlier by 9to5Mac.

The researchers labelled the problem as being “of public well being significance,” including that infections could possibly be averted if we sanitized our watch bands extra typically (or in any respect).

Fortunately for us, in addition they researched the right way to clear the micro organism off.

Learn how to sanitize your smartwatch band

Here is the right way to clear your germ-ridden health tracker and smartwatch wristbands:

1. Take your slimy watch off your wrist.
2. Seize both Lysol Disinfectant Spray or a 70% Ethanol cleaner, like these little alcohol wipes. The researchers additionally examined apple cider vinegar, however discovered it was not efficient on Staph aureus, even after 5 minutes of cleansing.
3. Wipe your watch band. Then maintain wiping. Lysol and 70% alcohol killed 99.99% of E. coli, Staph aureus and P. aeruginosa after 30 seconds of contact.
4. If you happen to’ve bought a plastic wristband, maintain wiping for two minutes. The researchers discovered that 30 seconds of publicity to Lysol or 70% Ethanol was not sufficient to kill dangerous micro organism on plastic bands.

How typically do you might want to do that? The paper did not specify, past saying it needs to be “common.”

Or you might simply swap to a metallic band, particularly one made from gold. And don’t put on a plastic one in case you’re germ aware.