A poll conducted in December 2024 found that Americans use their phones for more over five hours per day. It’s no surprise that your phone becomes a breeding ground for germs after all that touching; in fact, it’s often filthy than a toilet seat. Cleaning your phone on a regular basis is not only sensible, but also essential for your health since you hold it in your hands and put it to your face.

Although the FCC advises cleaning your phone every day, not all cleaning techniques are secure. Abrasive materials and harsh chemicals have the ability to harm your screen and destroy protective coatings. Using the proper cleaning methods is essential to keeping your phone clean and undamaged.

Fortunately, there are safe and efficient methods for cleaning your phone without breaking it. Regardless of whether your gadget is a Samsung, iPhone, or water resistant, we’ll walk you through the best practices and tools for keeping it germ-free.

See how to clean AirPods and wireless earbuds for further cleaning advice.

Which cleaning supplies are the finest for everyday use?

You could believe that your phone needs a strong cleaning solution after contacting items that are often touched by the public, such door handles, bus seats, supermarket carts, and petrol pumps. However, because they might impair the protective coatings that shield your screen from damage from water and grease, you should stay away from rubbing alcohol and items composed of pure alcohol.

Making your own alcohol-water mixture is something some people recommend, but if you don’t get the concentration right, it might break your phone. Disinfectant wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol are the safest choice. A UV light solution like PhoneSoap, which eliminates 99.99% of bacteria and germs, is a good choice for everyday cleaning. For advice, we may also consult mobile service providers and phone makers.

Clorox wipes and similar disinfectants were not advised before to the epidemic because they were believed to be too harsh on the screen’s covering, but Apple now permits their use. AT&T recommends cleaning your device down with a gentle, lint-free cloth sprayed with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution. Additionally, Samsung advises using a microfiber cloth and a 70% alcohol solution. Before cleaning your phone, always make sure it is turned off.

Which techniques work best for getting rid of makeup, sand, and fingerprints?

There are instances when cleaning your phone requires a more specialized approach. The suggested daily cleaning procedure may not be sufficient to get rid of stubborn foundation stains or bothersome sand grains after a beach trip.

Eliminate fingerprints
Because your skin generates oils, fingerprint smudges are unavoidable. Fingerprints will appear on your phone’s screen each time you pick it up. A microfiber cloth is the safest technique to remove prints from your screen. Never put water directly on the screen; instead, moisten the cloth with distilled water and use it to wipe off the screen for a more thorough cleaning. This also applies to your phone’s sides and rear.

For simpler cleaning, consider using a microfiber screen cleaner sticker that adheres to the back of your phone.

Get rid of the sand and tiny particles.
Sand and lint particles may quickly get lodged in the ports and nooks of your phone. We advise you to use Scotch tape to get rid of it. Roll it up and carefully slide it into the ports after pressing it along the speaker and folds. Any debris will be removed by the tape. After that, you may easily clean up by just discarding the tape.

For smaller speaker holes, carefully remove the dirt with a toothpick or a tiny vacuum crevice tool. You may also use these tools to access hard-to-reach places in your automobile or other tiny appliances.

A cell phone fell into the sand and was lost.
It might be challenging to get rid of sand and tiny particles. A bit of tape ought should work.
Getty Images by MartenBG
Remove makeup off the screen of your phone.
Makeup and skin care products, such moisturizers and foundation, can leave residue on your phone’s screen. Although makeup remover is effective for your face, its potentially hazardous components make it unsafe for screens. Try a screen-safe makeup remover instead, such as Whoosh, which is mild on all screens and doesn’t include alcohol.

As an alternative, wipe your phone with a moist microfiber cloth and then wash the cloth. To prevent your phone from soaking in water, make sure your towel is just a little bit damp.

What if I have a waterproof phone?
Even if the phone says it can survive submersion for a certain period of time, it is preferable to clean waterproof phones (IP67 and above) using a moist towel rather than running them under water.

After that, use a gentle towel to gently dry all of the ports and speakers on your phone. Even if your phone is water resistant, immersing it might cause water to accumulate in the ports, which would delay charging. Keep in mind that water resistance is not intended for swimming or routine cleaning, but rather for accidents.

fingerprints on the surface of a smartphone screen.
Because your skin creates oils that rub off on the screen, fingerprint smudges on your phone are unavoidable.
Shleihel Serhii/Getty Images
Avoid these mistakes while cleaning your phone.
We’ve previously discussed the reasons to stay away from rubbing alcohol and makeup remover, but they aren’t the only dangerous cleaning products. Other goods and substances that you should never use to clean your phone include the following:

Hand sanitizer: Many hand sanitizers include ethyl alcohol and fragrances that might damage your phone.
Cleaners for windows or kitchens: Strict cleaners might remove your phone’s protective layer, making it more prone to scratches.
Paper towels: The rough texture of paper may damage your screen, and it can shred, making the trash on your phone even worse.
Dish and hand soap: Most soaps need to be mixed with water, thus it’s preferable to use a moist towel instead than your phone since water should be kept away from it.
Vinegar: Similar to alcohols and cleansers, vinegar will remove the coating from your phone’s screen.
Compressed air: Direct and strong air blasts into your phone’s ports might harm them, particularly the microphone. In particular, Apple cautions iPhone users against using compressed air.