Ever seen little curved shavings on your desk, bed or even on your wrist when you take off your smartwatch? At first glance they resemble tiny Velcro hooks. The Velcro-like shavings mystery can be bemusing if you don’t have any Velcro handy, you might think — where did they come from?
The Mystery of the Velcro-Shavings: Where Do They Come From?
One of the most frequent sources of these tiny shavings is something many of us put on every araw: smartwatch or fitness tracker bands. If you have a device with a silicone or rubber strap, you’ve probably encountered these mysterious little curls before. So, the mystery about velcro-like shavings is explained by the effect of friction, sweat and having a daily motion that “just like a road with a long truck driving on it will become dusty along the road-side, material will be removed little by little and will be expelled as pieces miniature that looks like a hook from a velcro.”
What Causes the Velcro-Like Shavings?
So why does this happen? A few things speed this up:
Daily Use and Tear – Wear isn’t always permanent on smartwatch straps. The more you twist your wrist, spin your watch, put it on and take it off, the more quickly the material breaks down, adding to the Velcro-like shavings mystery.
Sweat and Skin Oils – When you wear your watch during a workout, sweat settles under the band, and the skin generates oils as well. This weakens the material over time, resulting in flaking.
Desk and Clothing Friction – Resting your wrist on a desk while typing or wearing long sleeves that rub against your watch band will increase wear and tear.
Cheaper or Old Bands – Not all bands are created equal. Fluoroelastomer is a quality material that will have more longevity, while lower quality silicone and rubber bands will break down faster.
Panicky About These Velcro-Like Shavings? Here’s What To Know
These little shavings just mean your watch band is getting older. There won’t be anything that damages your device or causes harm. If you do have that skin irritation, though, if you start to see excessive shedding, cracks or other signs of wear on your skin, it’s likely time to pull your band. So it’s possible the Velcro-like shavings mystery is the universe Ra-ing on about the need to upgrade to a new band.
How to Stop the Mystery of Velcro-Like Shavings from Happening Again
If you’re looking to minimize shedding and prolong the life of your smartwatch band, follow these tips:
- Keep it Clean — Ideally rinsing with a mild soap and water helps wash away the sweat and oils that deteriorate the material.
- Switch up the bands – Using one strap every day will wear it out. Alternating bands every now and then can help them all last longer.
- Skip the unnecessary friction – Consider how many times your wrist is resting on a surface or how snug your sleeves are over your watch.
- Buy a better replacement — Some products are just more durable than others. If you do need a new band, pick one made to last.
The Bottom Line
These tiny shavings are Velcro-like, and can seem odd at first, but they are just a normal byproduct of wearing a smartwatch or fitness tracker every day. If you begin noticing them more frequently, examine your band for wear and tear. Solving the mystery of the Velcro-like shavings is an easy task. Swapping it out at the best interval keeps it fresh and your wrist happy.
