How Gross is Your Watches’ Wristband?
Bottom Line: It’s something that goes most places with us and it’s something that picks up much of the bacteria that there is to pick up. Yes, our phones fit that description, but there appears to be another mobile device many people are overlooking when it comes to hygienic considerations. FAU researchers recently found watch wristbands are a “hotbed” for harmful bacteria. In a study published in Advances in Infectious Diseases, 95% of wristbands tested in the study contained at least one type of harmful bacteria. By way of comparison, a 2021 study by the National Institutes of Health found smartphone bacterial contamination stood at 58%. So yeah, if you have a watch, there’s a good chance that’s the biggest bastion of bacteria on you right now. And as for the types of bacteria that are most commonly on watch wristbands... There are three that are most likely to be present.
Percentage of tested watches where each bacteria were present:
- Staphylococcus: 85%
- E.coli: 60%
- Pseudomonas: 30%
It probably won’t give you the warm and fuzzies to know that if you’re wearing a watch there’s a better-than-not chance of there being at least a little fickle material hanging out on your wrist. Statistically, that is the case. The FAU study did find significant differences in contamination based on the type of wristband which was worn. The wristbands which were most likely to attract and retain bacteria were rubber and plastic. Conversely, metal wristbands – most specifically real gold and silver wristbands, contained the least bacteria (often none). On that note one of the researchers said this: Plastic and rubber wristbands may provide a more appropriate environment for bacterial growth as porous and static surfaces tend to attract and be colonized by bacteria. While a wristband’s material is a huge variable in this conversation, gender isn’t. Females and males had comparative levels of contamination on their watches in the study. As for what researchers say we should do to keep our watches clean and the bacteria at bay, the use of disinfectants with at least 70% ethanol or the use of apple cider vinegar. If you’re looking for a quick fix after hearing this... If you still have some hand sanitizer handy that should do the trick.