How to Clean Your Phone

We carry our smartphones everywhere throughout the day; around our house, to work, to the gym, and outdoors. They quickly build up bacteria and dirt that we can’t see from first glance, meaning a regular cleaning routine is crucial to keeping your phone in top condition.

These phone cleaning tips are designed to help you maintain your handset for longer, whether it’s a new device or an old timer.

1: Unplug your charger

Before starting any phone cleaning routine, make sure your charger has been removed. You won’t be able to effectively clean the charging port if anything is still plugged in, and this also enables you to clean the USB header separately.

2: Give your protective case a clean

Phone cases are the easiest step in the cleaning process, as you don’t have to worry about damage. Most phone cases can be cleaned with either a wipe or soapy water and left to air dry. Use a small brush such as a toothbrush to get into the corners and remove any built-up dirt.

Make sure not to put the phone case back on the phone until it is totally dry, as to not let any water seep into the openings of the handset.

3: Gather your cleaning equipment & start wiping

Alcohol wipes are a great phone cleaning tool to sanitise the exterior of your handset; the alcohol breaks down bacteria and leaves surfaces as germ-free as possible. Don’t use an alcohol wipe on your screen, as it can damage the oleophobic coating that is designed to prevent smudging. Instead, a disinfectant wipe will do the trick.

Mild soap can also be used, but be sure to do this with a microfibre cloth to avoid scratching the screen, and make sure to dip the cloth into the product rather than spraying any cleaning solution directly on the display.

Consider adding a screen protector if you don’t already have one, to give your phone an additional layer of protection.

4: Be mindful of the gap

When cleaning your phone with any product, avoid openings such as the charging port to prevent liquid getting in and damaging them. These should be cleaned separately with different equipment, which you’ll find below.

It’s also worth using a small cleaning bud or toothpick – this should be a wooden one – to scrape out any debris you see in the SIM tray.

5: Safely clean the charging port

Charging ports often collect dust and debris, which can lead to difficulty charging your phone. Cleaning them correctly is an important step in your regular phone maintenance.

Avoid using any liquids, metal or sharp objects when cleaning out the charging port, which can cause damage to the internal hardware. Instead, use a soft, dry object such as a cotton bud, paper towel or soft-bristle toothbrush to remove any built-up debris, using gentle sweeping motions.

6: Clear up the camera

The camera is a delicate part of the phone, so it also demands special care and cleaning. A dirty camera can affect the image quality of your photos, making it a good habit to clean it regularly.

For this, you can use a soft camera brush to sweep dust away from the lens and avoid scratches. If your camera is particularly dirty, it is safe to use a lens wipe, followed by a microfibre cloth, for removing any remaining smudges.

7: Leave everything to air dry

Once every inch of your phone has been cleaned, leave it to air dry thoroughly before using it again or plugging anything in. We recommend doing this again, even if you’re sure you have air dried previously.

Tips for maintaining a clean phone

Here are a variety of other tips for cleaning your phone; some of which might be quite obvious in hindsight:

• Don’t store your phone in dirty or full pockets – be mindful of the pocket you’re storing your phone in. These spaces easily fill with lint, dust and other debris that can clog up gaps in your phone
• Don’t bring your phone to the bathroom – most of us have done this to pass the time, but studies have shown that taking your phone to the toilet can be very unhygienic. Avoiding the temptation to bring your device with you can help protect it from nasty germs and bacteria
• Avoid rinsing your phone – your handset is water resistant, not waterproof. Giving it a rinse is likely to lead to damage down the line