Stainless steel is a common type of metal used to create elegant timepieces and while this is a resilient metal, it does still need some TLC on a regular basis.
To keep your watch looking good and prevent damage to the internal workings, it’s important to keep it clean.
Without regular cleaning, stainless steel can start to look dull. The links of the watch bracelet can also start to collect dirt and dust over time. All of this can lead to wear and sometimes, corrosion. Even if you made a point of purchasing a waterproof watch, sweating and frequent water exposure can cause the watch to rust gradually.
Caring for Your Stainless-Steel Watch: How Often is Enough?
If you tend to wear your watch on most days, giving it a good clean once a month should be more than enough. If you really wanted to be more efficient, you could even give your timepiece a quick wipe before you go to bed at night.
This will help get rid of any sweat and lotions that may have accumulated over the course of the day. By giving your watch a daily wipe with a soft cloth, the monthly clean will be that much easier.
While it is possible to clean your watch at home, it’s advisable to get a professional to service it every few months or at least once a year. A professional can not only get rid of stubborn scratches but ensure the inside of your watch is working as it should.
Tips for Caring for Your Stainless-Steel Watch at Home
- Use a soft cloth for general wipe downs
Having a soft cloth at home will ensure you can remove dirt and dust on a daily or weekly basis. A microfiber cloth is the best option as it will scratch your watch the least. Overall, the finer your cloth is, the better it will remove any grime.
- Soak your watch in warm soap water (if it’s water resistant)
If your watch is water resistant, you can give it a brief soak in some warm soapy water to loosen up any dirt. It’s essential that the water is lukewarm though. Water that is too hot can cause the metal to expand and water to reach the internal parts of the timepiece. Anything that’s hotter than 35 degrees Celsius is a no-go. Once you’ve soaked the watch, use your soft cloth to remove any grime. If your watch is not water resistant, you should just soak the stainless-steel bracelet.
- Give the bracelet a good scrub
Next, use an old toothbrush to get into the smaller gaps in the watch bracelet. Just don’t apply too much pressure as this can cause unnecessary scratches. If you’re happy with the appearance of the watch, rinse it under some clean water to get rid of any remaining soap.
- Time to dry and shine
Once you’ve rinsed your watch, pat it dry with a soft towel or cloth. Another way to dry your watch is to wear it. The heat from your wrist will easily dry up any moisture that remains in between the links of the bracelet. Finally, if you have a glass cleaner at home, you should give your watch face a clean too – a soft cloth is still the only thing you should be using for this. Some people choose to remove the bracelet completely in order to shine it up but if you’ve never done this before, it’s best to leave it to a professional.
Cleaning your stainless-steel watch at home is as simple as that. If you are unsure about whether your watch is waterproof or not, rather take your timepiece in for a professional cleaning.