How do I safely clean my original Apple Watch band?

The biggest rule is to keep water and cleaners away from the watch itself, and focus only on the band. Always remove the band from the Apple Watch before cleaning, and avoid harsh cleaners like bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or abrasive scrubbers, since those can discolor or weaken the material over time.

How you would clean it will depend on the exact Watch band you have. Regardless, the first step should be to remove the band from the Watch.

If you have the Sport Band or Solo Loop (fluoroelastomer):

• Wash with warm water + mild dish soap
• Use a soft lint-free cloth (or your fingers)
• Rinse well with clean water
• Pat dry with a towel, then let it air dry fully

If you have the Sport Loop / Nike Sport Loop (woven fabric):

• Rinse with warm water
• If needed: use a tiny drop of mild soap
• Gently rub the fabric (don’t scrub hard)
• Rinse thoroughly
• Let it air dry completely (no hair dryer/heat)

If you have a Leather Link / Leather bands:

• Wipe with a slightly damp cloth only
• No soaking, no soap, no alcohol wipes
• Let dry naturally away from sunlight/heat

If you have a Stainless Steel / Milanese Loop / Metal links band:

• Wipe with a microfiber cloth
• For grime: lightly dampen the cloth with fresh water
• Dry immediately so moisture doesn’t sit in crevices

Don't forget to clean the connectors by using a dry microfiber cloth and gently wipe the metal parts where it slides into the watch.