ASICS FrontRunner Jani du Toit gives us some pointers on how to keep your running watch from getting grimy. (Those wrist computers work hard! They need some love too).
Jani uses the Polar M430 watch, which is waterproof, most of these types of devices are nowadays but make sure of manufacturer's spec on your own, before you 'dive' in to the cleaning process.
What you need:
- Bowl of lukewarm water and mild soap solution. (Do not use alcohol, cleaning chemicals or any abrasive material such as steel wool).
- Cotton wool
- Earbuds
- A microfibre cloth
- Toothpicks (an old toothbrush could also work well)
How to do it:
- Keep your device's USB port and charging cable clean to ensure proper charging and syncing. I rinse this with a little water and use the toothpick and/or earbuds to carefully remove any debris or sweat build-up on the inside of the usb port. Work with caution to not scratch any of the delicate parts. The USB port is water resistant and you can rinse it under running water without damaging the electronic components. Remember to never charge your device when the USB port is wet or sweaty.
- Next I do the heart rate sensor: This part is very delicate and any scratches and debris or build up can affect the device’s wrist-based heart rate performance. So keeping it clean and scratch free is important. Wipe it clean with a soft cloth and a little soapy solution.
- After taking care of the two delicate parts of the watch flip in over and rinse it with the water and soap solution – try to get rid of the debris in between the holes of the wrist strap – use the toothpick or earbuds if needed.
- Use a soft cloth to wipe your watch face – I go one step further and use a soft toothbrush to clean the strap and around the watch face.
- Dry the watch well and, if you don’t wear the device 24/7, wipe off any moisture before storing it.
