Cleaning an iPhone the Right Way

Do you want to know the right process of cleaning an iPhone? Are you part of the 33% of Americans who are unlucky enough to drop your phone straight into the toilet? Are you curious if it’s safe to use disinfecting wipes for cleaning your smartphone?

In this guide, we’ll discuss what you need to know about cleaning your iPhone.

The Importance of Cleaning an iPhone

About 28% of Americans are almost always online, thanks to mobile phones, which keep us online and updated no matter where we go. Being able to use our smartphones all the time comes with the downside of potentially contaminating your smartphone with bacteria and viruses from surfaces. 

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many people are practicing better hygiene in an effort to keep themselves and the people around them safe and healthy. While washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your face are good first steps to keeping yourself healthy, people often forget to clean their smartphone, which could lead to cross-contamination. Smartphones and wallets are the most common carriers of bacteria and viruses, so cleaning these surfaces is important to help prevent the spread of any harmful germs. 

Keep reading to learn what you need to know about cleaning an iPhone.

1. Materials to Clean iPhones With 

The Screen: 

There are a few materials that you can use to clean your iPhone. The best option is a microfiber cloth or a lint-free cloth. If you have a pair of eyeglasses, this is the typical cloth you would also use to clean them. These materials are most effective in removing oily smudges on the screen, while avoiding scratching the screen or damaging the oleophobic coating. 

What Is Oleophobic Coating?

Like other modern smartphones, your iPhone comes with a thin protective material on the screen, known as the oleophobic coating. This protects the glass from oils. Our skin secretes natural oils, which is why our fingertips leave behind fingerprints on surfaces. The oleophobic coating on the screen of your iPhone is designed to keep fingerprints off the glass. 

However, you’ll notice that it doesn’t prevent all fingerprints from your screen. The goal of oleophobic isn’t to keep the glass as clean as possible from fingerprints. Oleophobic coating aims to keep your natural oils from sticking to the glass and make it easy to clean.

Other parts of the phone: 

If there are spaces or areas that you find difficult to clean, use a cotton swab to reach them. They’re great for cleaning out the corners and ports. Remember, you must never use a wet cotton swab to clean the inside of ports, as this could cause liquid damage to the phone.

2. Disinfectants to Clean Your iPhone With

The best disinfectant to use for cleaning your phone is a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or liquid isopropyl alcohol on a microfiber cloth. It’s also fine to use Clorox Disinfecting Wipes or Lysol wipes on the exterior surfaces of your phone. When using Clorox or Lysol wipes to clean your phone, it is also recommended to follow with a microfiber cloth, because these disinfecting wipes tend to leave streaks across the glass.

When it comes to cleaning iPhones, there are many disinfectants that you need to avoid. These include bleach or bleach wipes, solvents like ammonia or hydrogen peroxide, and acetone-based nail polish removers. These disinfectants are too harsh for the material and coating on smartphones. 

Glass cleaners should also be avoided. The glass used for your smartphone has different properties than the glass that glass cleaners are intended for, such as windows and mirrors. Because of this, glass cleaners could damage the screen. 

Additionally, cleaners like soap or vinegar leave a residue that can damage your iPhone, so they should be avoided as well. 

You should avoid using water to clean your phone. There are multiple openings on your phone, and using water to clean the phone increases the risk of moisture getting into the phone and damaging the components. 

3. Steps for Cleaning an iPhone 

Before you start cleaning your iPhone, prepare everything you’re going to use and unplug all cables from it. You will also want to make sure to turn it off. This way you protect it from short-circuiting in case moisture enters the openings.

Avoid applying alcohol or other cleaning liquids directly to the surface of a phone. This may cause moisture to enter the corners or openings of your iPhone. If moisture enters the openings, your iPhone may short circuit once you turn it on. 

Apply liquid isopropyl alcohol onto the microfiber cleaning cloth you’re going to use on the phone. Don’t dip the cloth in the cleaning agent. The cloth needs to be somewhat damp at the most. Alternatively, you can use an alcohol wipe or a Clorox or Lysol disinfecting wipe.

Next, wipe the surfaces of your iPhone with gentle pressure. Leave the device to air-dry. A screen protector is also recommended for extra protection. 

4. How Often to Clean an iPhone

To keep your iPhone smudge-free, you can use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the exterior of the phone as often as you would like. You don’t need to clean your iPhone daily with a wet solution like alcohol or disinfecting wipes, but this is recommended at least every few days, or as often as your phone may come in contact with bacteria-filled surfaces during daily use, such as when you get home from the grocery store. Cleaning the phone with a wet solution too often may wear down the oleophobic coating on the screen. 

If your iPhone comes into contact with substances or items that cause stains, clean it right away. You also want to watch out for other things that can damage your phone. That includes contaminants such as:

• Inks

• Dirt

• Sand

• Makeup

• Dyes

• Oils

• Lotions

• Food

• Soap

• Detergent

• Acids or acidic foods

Adjust how you clean your phone to make sure that it is not damaged while you clean it. If it fell into a wet, dirty surface, make sure you wipe off all the moisture from the iPhone first. Don’t rub at your iPhone if tiny particles like dirt and fine sand are still on the device. Remove all fine particles that are on the iPhone first. Otherwise, you may cause scratches. It’s also a good idea to clean your iPhone before you bring it in for repairs.

Keep Your iPhone Well-Maintained

Now you know how to clean an iPhone! Are you interested in learning more about iPhone maintenance, like how to improve the battery life of your iPhone? Check out the rest of our blog for other helpful information. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us.