Silicone is one of the most durable materials you can wear on your wrist — but it is not maintenance-free. Salt, sunscreen, and sweat build up faster than people think. Here is a 5-minute care routine that keeps any silicone strap (yours, ours, anyone's) looking like day one.
The 30-second daily rinse
If you wore your strap in the sea, in a pool, or after a workout, just rinse it under cold water for 30 seconds and pat dry with a clean cloth. That is 80% of the job. Chlorine and salt are the silent killers of silicone — leave them on, and you will see micro-cracks over months.
The weekly deep clean
Once a week (or after a particularly grimy day):
- Remove the strap from the watch head.
- Soak in lukewarm water with a drop of dish soap for 2 minutes.
- Gently scrub with a soft brush — an old toothbrush works perfectly.
- Rinse under cold water and pat dry.
- Let it air-dry flat for 10 minutes before re-installing.
Do not use alcohol, bleach, or solvent-based cleaners. Silicone repels these but the bond between layers can weaken over time.
What about the white strap?
White silicone develops a slight yellow cast over months if it is frequently exposed to sunscreen, perfume, or self-tanner. Two prevention tips:
- Apply sunscreen first. Wait 5 minutes, then put the watch on.
- Wipe down at the end of the day. A cloth with a tiny bit of soapy water lifts most of it.
Storage matters
If you are not wearing the strap, store it flat or rolled loosely. Do not fold it tightly — silicone has memory, and creases can stay visible for weeks.
How long does a silicone strap last?
With normal use and the routine above, expect 3 to 5 years before the silicone shows real wear. POPSTRAP straps are made from medical-grade silicone in France, so the upper end of that range is the norm — not the exception.
Discover the collection
POPSTRAP makes the silicone strap built for the 40mm Swiss pocket-watch head (Swatch May 2026 release). 6 colorways. Shop the Drop 01 cage strap.