Author: Maria Alfano
You know how to clean your house but do you know how to clean phone screens on your cell properly? Tests have been run showing that a cell phone screen is 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat (eewww!) Think about where that phone has gone. The phone’s daily journey will come across more germs than you can imagine. Protect yourself by cleaning the surface of your cell phone or tablet on a regular basis.
We clean our homes, cars, campers, and boats but the last thing we think about is cleaning our devices. A few minutes 4-5 times per week (minimum) will save you the heartache of trying to figure out where you got that nasty cold from. (Daily will provide the best results.)
Touch screens are sensitive so cleaning takes very little effort and provides maximum benefits. Think of it as one more thing to do in your cleaning routine. It’s really quite simple and will make you feel better when the screen looks shiny as new.
How To Clean Phone Screens On Your Cell Properly
Time to get the ick and the gross off your phone so that you don’t inadvertently transfer germs and diseases to yourself and your family.
Again, think about where that phone has been! It goes with most people to the restroom and gets placed on the counter where so many grimy hands and germs have been before you. If you take public transit and you hold onto the handrail with one hand while using your phone with the other, often you will switch hands without thinking about it. You go to the mall or supermarket and you push carts around, open doors, and touch things others have touched before you. Without thinking you answer your phone or reply to that text message thus transferring those germs to your phone. Those germs get really cozy on your phone and when you put it to your ear, they easily escape to your mouth, nose, and ears. Yuk!
This post will take you through the do’s and don’t of properly cleaning that small screen that you hold in your hand daily and the simple steps to a successful cleaning.
Do’s – How To Clean Phone Screens
Most cell phone companies give you cleaning instructions but let’s be real – how many of you have actually read that itty bitty manual that comes in the box with your phone. I know I haven’t. These tips helped me tremendously to clean my cell phone screen properly. Remember to clean the phone case separately from the phone itself.
Alcohol or disinfectant wipes are approved by Apple to clean the iPhone screens. Use a wipe that contains 70% isopropyl alcohol. They are gentle enough not to cause corrosion or damage the touch display.
Alcohol sprays with 70% isopropyl can be used. Spray the solution onto a soft cloth and wipe.
Microfiber cloth or cloth used to clean eyeglasses are non-abrasive and leave no streaks. They will not scratch the surface of your screen. And, they are perfect for getting rid of those greasy fingerprints.
UV light or UV sanitation device can be used to destroy the germs and then wipe away with the microfiber cloth. It will expose the germs to UV-C light that kills them almost instantly.
Painter’s tape is great for getting into the charging port. Roll a small piece so that the sticky side is out. Gently roll it into the opening. It will grab any dirt and lint that may have crawled up in there.
Scotch tape is a super quick way to remove fingerprints and surface-level grease. Simply break off a piece. Lay it on your screen and lift it off. This action will remove those fingerprints in a pinch. However, keep in mind that it will not kill the germs.
Don’ts For Cleaning Cell Phone Screens
Liquids – never immerse your phone into any liquid. This is a sure-fire way to kill your phone. There are some phones that claim to be waterproof. Even then I would be hesitant to immerse my phone in water or cleaning solutions. If any liquids get into the ports, it can cause the phone to short circuit and that will be the end of your very expensive device.
Paper towels and other paper products are a no-no. They may feel soft to your touch but trust me when I say, your smart screen is way more sensitive than you are. They are way too abrasive and will scratch your screen. Those scratches give germs more places to hide.
Household cleaners like Windex and other harsh chemicals should be avoided completely. These will remove the protective oleophobic coating off the screen causing you issues with touch functionality.
100% alcohol is too harsh to use on your phone. Like household cleaners, this will also ruin your touch screen.
Simple Steps to Cleaning Your Cell Phone
1 – Turn your smart device off. Ensure it is not plugged in either.
2 – Wash your hands with soapy water
3 – Use 70% alcohol wipes or microfiber cloth sprayed with an acceptable solution. Gently wipe the phone from the top to the bottom. Avoid any moisture from getting into the phone ports.
4 – Clean the charging port with the tape
In Summary
The way the world is going, germs surround us everywhere we go. Whether we like it or not, whether we are aware of it or not, we inadvertently attract and take germs and dirt with us everywhere. These super simple and budget-friendly solutions will help you keep your small screens clean and keep you healthier. Just a few minutes a day will make a world of difference. Yes, there are cell phone cleaning kits you can buy if you prefer. You likely have most of what is in those kits in your home already so why spend the extra money if you don’t have to!!
We would love to hear from you. How did your cell phone cleaning adventure go? Was it easy enough for you to clean your smart device? How long does it take you on a daily basis to clean it? Do you have a trick for cleaning your phone that you would like to share with us?