How do you clean the strap of your Garmin ForeRunner watch?

[MarkyD]

OK VRBs I need to engage the hive mind... how do you clean the strap of your running watch? I have a Garmin ForeRunner 235 with the silicone rubber strap (the black/grey one). To be honest it is a bit manky with a chemical weapon comprised of insect repellant, sun screen, dried sweat, salt, dried skin and I don't know what else. It seems to be resistant to water

What works for you? Guidance online seems to involve trying everything that you have in your house until something works (vinegar, rubbing alcohol, dish soap, random solvents, toothpaste, bicarbonate of soda, microfibre cloth, toothbrush, don't ever use a toothbrush, cotton buds...)

Any experience gratefully received.

And I don't mind if you tell me to not let it get into that state in the first place. A daily wash with warm water is the best approach, I know.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Mine gets washed daily... but little miss UNM has had hers so gunked up that the charger didn’t work. I put it in a glass of water with a chlorine tablet for about 20 minutes and everything wiped off with a dishcloth.

[Buddy34 Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

You put the whole watch in water ?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to Buddy34]

Well yeah... if you can swim in it, it’s fine in a little water

[Buddy34 Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Didn't know that thank you

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Funny you should mention that. I've only had mine for about 2 months and noticed a build up in each space. Maybe washing up liquid and hot water and cotton buds

[SlowLoris in reply to Buddy34]

I rinse it off after a run. So not had a problem.

It's not fragile, take a toothbrush to it. (Someone else's if it's really manky).

[Buddy34 Graduate10 in reply to SlowLoris]

😂😂

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to SlowLoris]

😝

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

I have two straps, when I swap I use hand soap and a nail brush and give it a really good scrub. I then use a baby wipe through all those holes and rinse and dry in the window where the sun can get to it.

I try to swap straps every month or so. But daily I give the strap a good wipe with baby wipes.

They are awful for attracting muck 👎🏼

EDIT: especially if you wear it 24/7!

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

You know I never noticed mine! But having read your post I've just had a good look and it's not that bad, mostly clean. The only thing I do is wipe the strap with a damp cloth after every run and it's about five years' old so nothing to report here. Maybe it's my princess blood and sweat 👑🙂

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Do you wear yours 24/7? 🤔

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

No just for running...

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Ah well, yes, much easier to keep nice! 👍🏻🤣

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

🙂

[LeeU 60minGraduate]

I can honestly say it's never been a problem, I'm on my second strap in just over 2 years of ownership but haven't suffered from it getting gunked up.

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Mmm... Had mine a few months and cleaning has been slap dash so interesting to read the posts... A job for this weekend!

[misswobble Graduate10]

Mine looks clean but I’ve never cleaned or even wiped it 🤷‍♀️ 😊

[2718281 Graduate10]

I try to clean it regularly, just soap and water, I swap often and then I also use a brush. Some models accumulate dirty in the space between the strap and the watch, I use a small brush there. Never had anything that wouldn't go with soap...

[Realfoodieclub Graduate10]

I must admit I just take mine into the bath we me after a run and give it a wash, I can swim in it so I never thought about not doing that 😀. Rfc x