Your phone is dirtier than a toilet seat. How to clean it properly

No lie — you have it on your phone more bacteria than a toilet seat. Given that you put your phone up to your face while you’re on a call, and that your phone is in your hand for most of the day, there’s a very compelling case for cleaning your device regularly.

According to the FCC, you should at least clean your phone once a day by following your phone’s manual for cleaning instructions. Cleaning your device the wrong way (such as using alcohol and paper towels) can remove the protective coatings on your screen and do more harm than good.

There are safer methods and products. We will show you the most common and effective ways to clean your phone from germs and harmful bacteria the right wayespecially for phones rated for water resistance.

For more, How to clean wireless headphones and AirPods.

Use disinfectant wipes or an appropriate alcohol-based solution

If you touch your phone after touching a public doorknob or grocery cart, your first thought might be to clean it with alcohol. Don’t do it. Plain alcohol can remove the oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings that protect oil and water from damaging your phone’s display and other ports.

Some websites suggest making your own alcohol and water mixture, but getting the concentration right is critical. Get it wrong and you could damage your phone. The safest option is to use disinfectant wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol to clean your phone screen.

Before the pandemic, we were told not to use disinfectant wipes on phone screens, but Apple says Clorox wipes are fine to use and other disinfectant wipes of similar concentration.

AT&T’s cleaning guidelines suggest that you “spray a non-abrasive or alcohol-based (70% isopropyl) disinfectant directly onto a soft, lint-free cloth and wipe your device with it turned off and unplugged.” Samsung also said you can create an alcohol-based solution of 70% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol applied with a microfiber cloth.

Another option for daily cleaning is to invest in a UV light, for example Phone soap. This UV light company says its product kills 99.99% of germs and repels bacteria.

Get rid of fingerprints with a microfiber cloth

Fingerprint stains are difficult to prevent because your skin is constantly producing oils. This means that every time you pick up your phone, it’s bound to have fingerprints all over it.

The safest and most effective way to clean your screen is with a microfiber cloth. If the screen needs cleaning, use it distilled water to dampen a microfiber cloth and then wipe your screen — avoid splashing water directly onto the screen. This method can also be used on the back and sides of your phone.

You can also try a microfiber screen cleaner sticker that you stick on the back of your phone and peel it off when you need to wipe it off.

Check it out Samsung tips also in cleaning your phone.

Remove sand and lint with this tape trick

Lint and grit can get stuck in your phone’s small ports and crevices where the screen meets the body.

The best way to remove sand and lint is with scotch tape. You can place and roll it along the creases and speaker and gently place it into the ports. The stickiness of the tape will remove any lint or sand that may be stuck on your phone.

For smaller speaker holes where the tape can’t reach, use a toothpick (soft) or try vacuuming the debris with a small sponge. slitting tool. These tools can also be used in your car for other small appliances or hard to reach places.

Remove the makeup with a damp cloth

When you have a full face of makeup and need to make a call, guess what this foundation sticks to? That’s right, your phone screen. While you can use a makeup remover to remove your makeup every night, you shouldn’t use it as a screen cleaner because of some chemicals hidden in the ingredients. (Organics.org explains chemicals that may be in your makeup remover.)

Instead, you can get your own makeup remover for your phone, e.g Wow. The company claims that its product is safe for all screens and does not contain alcohol, chlorine, ammonia or phosphates, which can damage various screen coatings.

You can also use a damp microfiber cloth to clean the phone — then throw that cloth in the washer. Be sure to use a spray bottle instead of running the garment under water. The less water, the better.

How to clean waterproof phones

If you have a waterproof phone, it’s appreciated IP67 and aboveyou can rinse with water. Although these phones are like new iPhone 15 ProIt can be submerged in up to 6 meters of water for up to 30 minutes, it’s a better idea to use a damp or wet cloth to clean your phone. Then dry your phone with a dry, soft cloth to remove the water. Make sure to dry all speakers and ports.

Submerging the phone in water or running it under a faucet will flood the ports, meaning you won’t be able to charge it until they dry out, which can take time. Remember that having a waterproof phone means more peace of mind in the event of an accident than accidentally taking your phone for a swim.

Check this out: How to clean your phone (and what you should never do)

02:34

Avoid these items when cleaning your phone

We’re here to warn you, not shame you, but put down that bottle of Windex, stat. There are a few products you should never use to clean your phone.

Hand sanitizer

Since some hand sanitizers contain ingredients like fragrances and ethyl alcohol, it’s best to keep the sanitizer away from your phone’s screen. But if you’ve touched anything outside your home, you should disinfect your hands before touching your phone to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria. For best results, use the manufacturer’s hand sanitizer instead of making it yourself at home (they are not that effective).

Window cleaner

You clean your mirrors and windows with window cleaner and they squeak, so the window cleaner must be suitable for use on your phone? Wrong! Some phones, such as the iPhone, have a protective coating that is water and oil resistant and can wear off over time.

Using harsh cleaners can strip the coating and make your phone more susceptible to scratches. James LeBeau, assistant professor of materials science and engineering at MIT, told us that any cleaner with an abrasive will scratch the surface, so they should be avoided entirely.

Kitchen cleaners

The screen’s scratch-resistant properties won’t be broken by cleaning agents, but peeling off that protective coating is still a challenge. That’s why Apple offers it Do not use household cleaning products to clean your iPhoneincluding bleach. Bon Ami reports should not be used on coated glass.

Paper towels

They can be essential for cleaning your desk, but keep them off your phone. Paper can crumble and make your phone even worse. Paper towels can even leave scratches on your screen.

Rubbing alcohol

Since many new phones have a protective coating, rubbing alcohol wears it down faster over time, making your phone more prone to scratches. Check any “use-safe” phone screen cleaners to see if the product contains alcohol. Apple says to avoid alcohol when cleaning its devices.

Makeup remover

Some makeup removers may contain chemicals that can be harsh on the electronic screen. LeBeau suggests avoiding makeup remover and instead using a soft cloth with a little water.

Compressed air

Your phone is delicate, so blowing a lot of air into its ports can damage your microphone, especially. Tech companies like Apple are particularly wary do not use compressed air.

Dish soap and hand soap

Even though your dish and hand soaps are mild, the only way to use them is to mix them with water. Most phone companies suggest keeping water away from your phone, so again, stick to a damp cloth.

vinegar

It’s a no-no. Vinegar will strip the screen coating. Like you Lifehacker suggestsuse very diluted vinegar to clean other parts of your phone. Android Central offers 50/50 mix with distilled water to clean the sides and back.

Explore how-to’s for more cleaning tips Clean your Apple Watch.