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If you track your fitness, steps and heart rate every day, chances are you are a proud owner of a smartwatch. But have you ever noticed your fitness tracker looking a little� grimy?

What’s Lurking on Your Wristband?

“Wristbands can harbor significant amounts of bacteria, and the quantity can vary based on the material and frequency of cleaning,” says Barajas.

A tested 20 smartwatch wristbands and found that 95% carried bacteria. Some of these bacteria, such as the staphylococcus and pseudomonas species, naturally live on the skin, but certain strains can cause infection or illness. In fact, 60% of the tested watches were contaminated with E. coli, which can cause gastrointestinal illnesses and urinary tract infections.

Most fitness trackers have a wristband made of rubber or plastic, materials that are more likely to harbor bacteria than metal. According to Barajas, rubber soaks up dirt, oils and sweat, making it harder to completely clean.

Health Risks

With so many varieties of potentially harmful bacteria living on your watch wristband, you may be wondering � what does it mean for your health?

Wristbands can collect sweat, bacteria and dead skin cells. Barajas says that while sweat itself is not inherently germy, it can be a carrier of bacteria from your skin, which can lead to illness.

Other health risks from bacterial growth on wristbands include:

• Skin irritation
• Skin rash
• Infections such as

How Often Should You Clean Your Wristband?

The bacteria on watchbands can easily transfer to your face, hands or other surfaces you touch throughout the day, which is why proper hygiene practices are essential.

“The frequency of cleaning wristbands varies based on usage and lifestyle,” says Barajas. “For regular wearers with an active lifestyle, it might make sense to clean the wristband once a week. Occasional wearers may only need to clean every couple weeks. Ultimately, if a wristband is visibly soiled, you should clean it right away, regardless of a scheduled cleaning routine.”

How you clean your wristband depends on the material and the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations for specific watches. The following methods typically work well, provided you only clean the band and protect the watch itself:

• Mild soap and water on a soft cloth is effective for most materials.
• Alcohol wipes are great for metal and plastic bands.
• Disinfecting sprays and apple cider vinegar are both effective, especially after leaving on a band for two minutes. Dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.

Learn more about common places bacteria can lurk.