That there is no better companion for your iPhone than the Apple Watch, we know by now. But according to scientists, the smartwatch is not always your best friend either. After all, the smartwatch is full of gooey, sickening bacteria.
According to scientists, the Apple Watch’s band is a breeding ground for potentially dangerous disease-causing bacteria. The study found that 95 percent of the watch straps examined were contaminated with bacteria considered potentially harmful. This was especially true of bands made of rubber or plastic.
Your Apple Watch is full of gooey bacteria
Since you typically wear an Apple Watch every day, it comes as no surprise that it’s full of bacteria. But what you might not realize is that dangerous bacteria such as staphylococcus were found on 85 percent of the straps examined. This bacteria can cause serious infections if it gets into your skin.
In addition, gut bacteria were found on 60 percent of the bands (not just from the Apple Watch) and “pseudomonas spp” on 30 percent of the bands. These bacteria, even in low numbers, can do a lot of damage to our health.
A total of 12 men and eight women participated in the study. Straps of different materials were used.
Easy to fix
The same study also shows that cleaning your Apple Watch with everyday disinfectants causes these pathogenic bacteria to disappear. Disinfectant spray with ethanol appears to be quite effective. Within thirty seconds, more than 99.99 percent of harmful bacteria would be gone.
Your ideal companion. (Image: Mitsuo Jr / Unsplash)
If you’re not keen on all those harmful bacteria on your wrist, then it’s high time to clean your Apple Watch. That doesn’t mean you get to brush every day, but a weekly refresh is recommended. Be sure to look carefully at the material of your band. A leather strap, for example, should not be submerged in water.
