How to Clean Your Fitness Tracker

Publish date: 2022-05-11

You may wear your fitness tracker so often you never miss a step, but all that activity may cause your tracker to get dirty, sweaty or even smelly. And do you really want to wear a sweaty tracker to bed?

Along with our fitness tracker reviews, Live Science is bringing you some know-how. Here's a look at how to clean some of the most popular fitness trackers.

Jawbone Up

  • According to Jawbone, you should first wet/dampen a cloth or cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol or an alcohol-based sanitizer.
  • Gently rub the outside of the band with the cloth.
  • Dry the band with a clean cloth or towel.
  • You should not submerge the band in liquids, or use abrasive cleaners on the band, Jawbone says.

    • Fitbit Force

    (Editor's note: Fitbit recalled the Force earlier this year, but for users who still have their Force, Live Science will continue to cover the device.)

  • Use warm water and mild detergent to rinse the band, according to Fitbit (opens in new tab).
  • But try to avoid getting the display screen wet.
  • To clean the contacts where the Force charges, Fitbit recommends wetting a twisted paper towel, squeezing out the water and then dabbing the contacts.
  • You should not use abrasive cleaners, or put the Force in the dishwasher.

    • Fitbit Flex

  • First, take the Flex tracker itself out of the wristband.
  • Clean the wristband with warm water and mild detergent, according to Fitbit (opens in new tab).
  • To clean the tracker itself, Fitbit recommends using a cotton swab dampened with rubbing alcohol.
  • Make sure the tracker and wristband are both dry before you put the tracker back in the wristband.

    • Nike Fuelband

  • All you need to clean the surface of your Nike Fuelband is mild soap, water and a soft cloth, according to Nike.
  • If the Fuelband's USB connector needs cleaning, Nike recommends using a dry toothbrush to brush off light dirt/accumulation, or a cloth that has been dampened with rubbing alcohol. You should wipe your Fuelband dry if you get it wet.
  • You can also use cleaning liquid available in electronic stores to clean off especially hard-to-remove dirt/accumulation, Nike says.

    • Basis B1

  • You should wear your Basis like a normal watch, and clean the device as needed, the company says. To remove dirt or grease from the Basis, dampen a cloth with cold/warm water and use mild dish soap, the company says. You should not use hot water.
  • If soap is not adequate for the cleaning job, Basis recommends using alcohol or ammonia based cleaners and a soft cloth.
  • Do not put the device in a dishwasher, or use abrasive sponges/cleaners.

    • Follow Rachael Rettner @RachaelRettner. FollowL ive Science @livescience, Facebook & Google+.

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