Frederic Melton
If your Apple Watch is smelling like cheese, you're not alone. Many Apple Watch users have reported a similar issue, with the culprit being a buildup of sweat, dirt, and oils from the skin that get trapped in the watch band. This can lead to unwanted odors, especially if the watch is frequently worn during exercise or exposed to moisture. The good news is that there are ways to prevent and address this issue. Regular cleaning of the watch band is essential, and different cleaning methods can be used depending on the band's material. Additionally, users can apply deodorant to their wrists or swap out the band for a more breathable option.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for the smell | Sweat, dirt, and oils from the skin get trapped in the band over time |
| Smell | Cheese-like |
| Cause | Backplate of the stainless steel knob |
| Cleaning methods | Soap and water, lens wipes, leather cleaner and conditioner, deodorant, disinfecting wipes, isopropyl alcohol, hand sanitizer, Lysol, mild dish soap and a toothbrush, warm water and mild dish soap |
| Prevention | Avoid wearing the watch in water, let it air out while showering, and dry off completely |
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What You'll Learn
- Sweat, dirt, and oils from your skin get trapped in the band
- The type of band material used can affect the smell
- The build-up of dead skin cells and bacteria can cause a cheese-like smell
- Allergic reactions to the metal in the watch band can cause a stink
- Regular cleaning of the watch band can prevent and eliminate odours
Sweat, dirt, and oils from your skin get trapped in the band
If your Apple Watch band smells like cheese, it's likely due to sweat, dirt, and oils from your skin getting trapped in the band. This can happen whether you're working out or just wearing the watch in your daily life. The band is constantly exposed to moisture and grime, which can lead to unpleasant odours.
To prevent your Apple Watch band from smelling like cheese, it's important to clean it regularly. You can use a disinfecting wipe or a soft cloth with warm water and mild dish soap to wipe down the band. If your band is made of leather, be sure to use a lint-free and non-abrasive cloth and only dampen it lightly with water, as leather bands are not water-resistant. You should also avoid soaking leather bands in water and storing them in direct sunlight, high temperatures, or high humidity.
If you want to prevent the smell, you can apply deodorant to your wrist, just like you would to your armpits. Additionally, consider swapping out your current band for one that is more skin-friendly, such as a sport loop or a band with no metal if you suspect an allergic reaction. You can also try to let your wrist air out while you're showering and ensure it's completely dry before putting the watch back on.
It's worth noting that some users have reported that the smell may be due to a reaction between their skin and the metal knob on the backplate of the watch. In this case, cleaning the knob and the affected area of the skin may help. However, if the issue persists, you may want to consider contacting Apple support for further guidance.
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The type of band material used can affect the smell
The type of band material used for your Apple Watch can affect its smell. Different materials, such as leather, nylon, rubber, silicone, and metal, can react differently to sweat, dirt, and oils from your skin, resulting in unpleasant odours. For example, nylon watch bands tend to retain sweat and body odour more easily, requiring more frequent cleaning or the use of deodorant on the wrist as a preventative measure. Similarly, leather watch bands can absorb moisture and grime, leading to unwanted odours. To prevent this, it is recommended to clean leather bands with a lint-free and non-abrasive cloth, avoiding direct sunlight, high temperatures, and high humidity during storage.
Silicone watch bands, known for their durability, can also develop an unpleasant odour over time due to the build-up of sweat, dirt, and oils. Regular cleaning with warm water and mild dish soap can help prevent this. Additionally, rubber (Fluoroelastamer) bands, commonly used for sports watches, may also trap sweat and dead skin cells, resulting in a cheese-like smell. Disinfecting wipes can be used to clean these bands regularly.
Metal components, such as the backplate of the stainless steel knob, have also been identified as a source of the cheese-like smell. This may be due to a reaction between the metal and the skin, similar to the experience with pierced ears and metal studs. Cleaning the metal knob with soap and rubbing alcohol can help remove any build-up. It is worth noting that some users have suggested avoiding the use of alcohol as it may dry out certain band materials, such as Fluoroelastamer.
The type of band material used plays a significant role in the development of odours, and proper care and maintenance, including regular cleaning and allowing the band to dry completely, can help prevent unpleasant smells.
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The build-up of dead skin cells and bacteria can cause a cheese-like smell
If your Apple Watch is emitting a cheese-like odour, it is likely due to a build-up of dead skin cells, sweat, dirt, and bacteria on the watch band. This build-up can occur over time as the band comes into contact with your skin, especially if you wear the watch during exercise or other activities that cause perspiration. The band traps moisture and grime, leading to the development of unpleasant odours.
The type of band you have will also influence the likelihood and intensity of odour development. For example, nylon watch bands are known to retain sweat and body odour more easily, requiring more frequent cleaning. Similarly, the sport band, made of fluoroelastomer, can trap sweat and prevent your wrist from breathing, leading to a build-up of odour-causing agents.
In some cases, the metal knob or backplate of the watch may be the source of the cheese-like smell. This is thought to be due to a reaction between the metal and your skin, similar to the reaction some people have to metal earrings. This reaction can cause a "cheesy" build-up that requires more than just regular washing to remove.
To prevent and address cheese-like smells on your Apple Watch, regular cleaning of the band is essential. The specific cleaning method will depend on the band's material. For fluoroelastomer bands, use disinfecting wipes a few times a week. For leather bands, wipe with a lint-free, non-abrasive cloth dampened with fresh water. Do not soak leather bands in water as they are not water-resistant. You can also use a leather cleaner and conditioner. To prevent odours, you can apply deodorant to your wrist before putting on the watch.
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Allergic reactions to the metal in the watch band can cause a stink
Allergic reactions to the metal in an Apple Watch band can cause a stink. This is due to a reaction between the metal and the skin, which results in a cheese-like smell. This is not an uncommon problem, and it can be caused by several factors, including sweat, dirt, and oils from the skin getting trapped in the band over time. This build-up of sweat can be a result of working out or just everyday wear, and it can lead to unwanted odors.
To prevent this, it is recommended to regularly clean the watch band and connections with a disinfecting wipe, especially if the watch is worn during exercise or other activities that cause sweating. It is also suggested to avoid wearing the watch in water and to let it air out while showering. Additionally, one should ensure that the wrist is rinsed and dried thoroughly when washing hands.
If the smell persists, one might consider switching to a different band material or style. For example, some people recommend using a sport loop or a band with no metal if an allergic reaction is suspected. It is also recommended to avoid using products that may damage the band, such as alcohol-based cleaners, and to replace the band when necessary.
In some cases, the smell may be due to a build-up of deposits on the metal disk of the watch, which can be scraped off with a fingernail and then washed with soapy water. This build-up may be caused by a reaction between the metal and the skin, similar to the reaction that occurs with pierced ears and metal studs.
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Regular cleaning of the watch band can prevent and eliminate odours
For example, if your Apple Watch band is made of leather, you can use a lint-free and non-abrasive cloth to wipe it down. You can lightly dampen the cloth with fresh water, but be careful not to soak the leather band as it is not water-resistant. Let the band air dry completely before attaching it to your watch again, and avoid storing it in direct sunlight, high temperatures, or high humidity.
If you have a silicone or resin watch band, you can use mild dish soap and a toothbrush to scrub away any dirt or grime. Again, be sure to let the band air dry before putting it back on your watch.
For other types of bands, such as those made from nylon, you may need to clean them more frequently or use preventative measures like deodorant on your wrist to reduce odours. It's important to note that some materials, like the fluoroelastomer used in some Apple Watch Sport Bands, do not react well to alcohol-based cleaning products, so be sure to check the recommended cleaning methods for your specific watch band material.
By regularly cleaning your watch band and practising good watch hygiene, such as taking it off to let it air out while you shower, you can prevent and eliminate unwanted odours.
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Frequently asked questions
The smell is likely due to a buildup of sweat, dirt, and oils from your skin that have become trapped in the band over time. This can happen whether you're hitting the gym or just wearing your watch daily.
To get rid of the cheese smell on your Apple Watch, you should regularly clean your watch band. The method for cleaning your watch band will depend on the material it is made from. For example, if your watch band is made of leather, you should clean it with a lint-free and non-abrasive cloth, whereas if your watch band is made of resin, you should use mild dish soap and a toothbrush to scrub it clean.
To prevent your Apple Watch from smelling like cheese, you can use deodorant on your wrist or swap your current watch band for one made from a different material. You should also avoid wearing your watch in the water and let it air out while you shower.
