The Dirtiest Thing You Touch Every Day Isn’t a Toilet Seat

Your phone goes everywhere you go, from the kitchen counter and gym floor to your car and bed. You tap it while cooking, grip it during a workout, and cycle through it before washing your hands.

Yet most people almost never clean it. The result? A pocket-sized germ magnet that can be dirtier than a public toilet seat and much more likely to be handed out at gatherings of friends or family.

If you don’t disinfect your phone daily, you’re letting layers of bacteria build up on the item you touch more than any other item. In fact, the Federal Communications Commission recommends cleaning your phone daily. But harsh chemicals and abrasive materials can strip protective coatings and permanently damage your screen.

Before you grab a paper towel or spray it with a household cleaner, read this guide first. You don’t need an expensive UV sanitizer or cleaning kit. With the right cloth and a simple, safe solution, you can kill germs without damaging your device. Here’s how to properly clean your phone, so that it And your hands stay really clean.

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What are the best products for daily cleaning?

After touching high-touch surfaces like door handles, public transportation seats, grocery carts, and gas pumps, you might think you need a powerful cleaning product for your phone. However, you should avoid rubbing alcohol or products containing pure alcohol, as they can damage the protective coatings that prevent oil and water from damaging your screen.

Some suggest making your own alcohol-water mixture, but the wrong concentration can damage your phone. The safest option is to use disinfectant wipes containing 70% isopropyl alcohol. For daily cleaning, consider a UV light product like PhoneSoap, which kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria. We can also turn to phone manufacturers and cellular service companies for advice.

Apple now allows the use of Clorox Wipes and similar disinfectants, which were not recommended before the pandemic because they were considered too abrasive for the screen coating. AT&T recommends spraying a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution on a soft, lint-free cloth and wiping your device. Samsung also recommends using a 70% alcohol solution with a microfiber cloth. Always make sure your phone is turned off before cleaning it.

What are the best methods for removing fingerprints, sand and makeup?

Sometimes your phone requires more specific treatment when washing dishes. The recommended daily cleaning process may not be enough to remove pesky grains of sand after a beach vacation or stubborn foundation stains.

Get rid of fingerprints

Fingerprints are inevitable since your skin produces oils. Every time you pick up your phone, your screen gets fingerprints. The safest way to make your screen print print-free is to use a microfiber cloth. For a deeper clean, dampen the cloth with distilled water (never apply water directly to the screen) and wipe the surface. This also works for the back and sides of your phone.

You can also try a microfiber screen cleaner sticker that sticks to the back of your phone for easy wiping.

Remove sand and small particles

Grains of sand and lint can easily get stuck in the ports and crevices of your phone. To remove it, we recommend using tape. Press it along the creases and speaker, then roll it up and gently insert it into the ports. The tape will remove any debris, after which you can throw it away for easy cleaning.

For smaller speaker holes, gently use a toothpick or small crevice tool to vacuum out debris. These tools also work well for other small appliances or hard-to-reach areas of your car.

Wash off makeup from your phone screen

When you wear makeup and skin care products, such as foundation and moisturizers, you leave residue on your phone screen. Although makeup remover works on your face, it is not safe for screens because it may contain potentially harmful chemicals. Instead, try a screen-safe makeup remover like Whoosh, which is alcohol-free and gentle on all screens.

You can also use a damp microfiber cloth to clean your phone and then wash the cloth afterwards. Make sure the cloth is only slightly damp to avoid soaking your phone in water.

What if my phone is waterproof?

For waterproof phones (IP67 and above), it’s best to clean the device with a damp cloth instead of submerging or running it under water, even if the phone advertises that it can withstand submersion for a while.

Next, dry your phone with a soft cloth, making sure all ports and speakers are thoroughly dried. Although your phone may be water resistant, submersion may cause water to enter the ports, delaying charging. Remember, water resistance is for accidents, not for swimming or regular cleaning.

Things to avoid when cleaning your phone

We’ve already covered why you should avoid makeup remover and rubbing alcohol, but this isn’t a comprehensive list of harmful cleaning agents. Here are some other items and products you should never use to clean your phone:

• Hydroalcoholic gel: Perfumes and ethyl alcohol found in many disinfectants can harm your phone.
• Window or kitchen cleaners: Harsh cleaners can strip your phone’s protective coating, making it more vulnerable to scratches.
• Paper napkins: The paper can shred, further adding debris to your phone, and its rough texture can leave scratches on your screen.
• Dish and hand soap: Most soaps require you to mix them with water, and since you need to keep water away from your phone, it’s best to stick with a damp cloth.
• Vinegar: Like cleaners and alcohols, vinegar will remove the coating from your phone’s screen.
• Compressed air: Blowing air directly and forcefully into your phone’s ports can cause damage, especially your microphone. Apple specifically warns iPhone owners not to use compressed air.

For more cleaning tipsfind out how clean your Apple Watch.