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Samuel Fernández @samfdz

With the development of connected devices, wearables, from smart watches to all kinds of smart bracelets, our wristbands have been filled with straps. And many of them are silicone. Much cheaper to buy than fabric or metal, no doubt, but also with a bit more complicated maintenance. But not much, take it easy.

The proverb says that "every teacher has his own book", and in the case of silicone bracelets, it also works, because although we can keep them relatively well after washing them with water, there are specific ways to do it (almost) as on the first day. these methods because they are not as complex as you might think.

Recommendations for metal

Before cleaning our silicone straps, we must remember that sometimes they come with pieces of other materials. Plastic is not a problem, but if there is any metal part in our silicone bracelet, such as metal pins connecting it to the watch case or an adjustment buckle, it is worth trying isolate it from the water.

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Be careful with metal parts as they can corrode or rust

For this, we can cover this part with a transparent film, making sure the water cannot get into the water, or we can try to keep these parts away from the water as the method we will be using to clean the belts means we have to soak the In any case, if these elements are made of plastic, we will not be exposed to their corrosion or oxidation.

However, it is logical that, with the exception of the pin which is always metallic in all straps, the rest of the elements are only metal for fabric, leather or all-metal straps. If our strap is made of silicone, it is logical that the buckle is plastic and we don't have to worry that it will deteriorate during maintenance.

Dismantling and immersion in warm water

The first step is logically separating the strap from our watch or bracelet. If we are dealing with a bracelet of the type Xiaomi Mi Fit or Band, we only need to bring out the central smart element, the one that wears the screen, so that the strap is maintenance-free. we are dealing with a watch or other type of bracelet, we have to unfasten the strap by loosening the clasps connecting it to the envelope with a nail or, if necessary, we will help ourselves with a small flat screwdriver or an unsharpened knife (for the health of our fingers).

After detaching the strap from the watch or the quantitative band, we need to immerse it in warm water, although it is more advisable to keep the water hot so that it stays at a good temperature longer. We will fill the container with hot water (not boiling, this is not an operating room) and add a few drops of a dishwasher or liquid detergent, immerse the bracelet in this water for 10-15 minutes, so that the dirt starts to soften, and thus it is easier to clean.

Hot water is always recommended so that it lasts without cooling down until we remove the strap.

When we do this, we take a toothbrush, a brush for cleaning watches or ear pads, and with a few drops of dishwasher or liquid detergent, gently rub the bracelet on all parts to remove the dirt as thoroughly as possible. If the bracelet has any engraving or grooves, we will do everything take care to remove embedded dirt.

After wiping all parts of the bracelet with a brush or cotton swab, immerse it for another 15 minutes in hot or warm water so that the dirt is over and the soap or detergent remains in the water. back.

And after cleaning, some maintenance tips

In addition to regularly cleaning the straps of our watch or smart bracelet (for example, every few weeks), there are some maintenance tips that will come in handy to prolong its life and you don't have to buy replacements every two out of three. making these changes.

First of all, it is worth not exposing the bracelet to unnecessary stress, such as twisting or forced bending. Stretching our silicone bracelet may cause its deformation, losing on the one hand its aesthetics and, on the other hand, the fastening ability. It is also recommended that if we have several of them, keep them separate bracelets or other metal objects to avoid scratching.

Avoid twisting, scratching, harsh chemicals and, if you can, long exposure to the sun.

While silicone bracelets are for what they are for, it's good to know that excess direct sunlight is making them lose their elasticity. If you notice a stiffer account bracelet after a while, it's possible that it's due to great sun exposure. sunlight with your bracelet or smart watch, it's clear that exposure to sunlight cannot be avoided, but it is always advisable to protect it for as long as possible.

Finally, avoid contacting the bracelet with corrosive or abrasive chemicals. For example, products used for cleaning pools or pickling (salfumán) or turpentine in the cleaning agents we usually have at home. If you intend to use them, remove the bracelet or watch first to avoid unnecessary discoloration and deterioration. By following these tips and with regular maintenance, the bracelet should last longer.

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