Stop Cleaning Your Phone with the Wrong Materials: Tech Tips

When your phone gets dirty, you might be tempted to clean it with your shirt or your jeans. However, you should seriously avoid cleaning your phone without the proper materials and solutions. Cleaning your phone the right way will help it last longer and look better!

Here are the items you should stop using to clean your phone, and what you should use instead.

Stop Cleaning Your Phone with These Items

Rubbing Alcohol, Makeup Remover, Window Cleaner

Window cleaners like Windex and the like have harsh chemicals that can harm your phone screen. The same goes for rubbing alcohol, handwipes and any other chemicals that you might use for cleaning.

Many newer phones have a protective coating that resists scratches, so using such cleaners could even hasten the wear on such a coating. Avoid any abrasive cleaners when cleaning your phone. The coating is a critical part of how your phone screen stays clear and free of scratches, so treat it gently.

Paper Towel

Paper towels are flimsy and thin and can shred easily. This can just result in your phone getting even messier. Also, remember that paper fibers can even scratch up your phone if you’re rough or hasty with them. Don’t use these on your new phone.

Compressed Air

Compressed air is bad for phones. The internal mechanisms and ports of your phone are all quite fragile, and blowing harsh, fast-moving compressed air into them can cause damage. Most phone manufacturers warn specifically against using compressed air to clean their products.

Use a Microfiber Cloth

To err on the side of caution, just use a simple microfiber cloth to clean your phone. There’s little chance to cause any damage to the delicate electronics or coating if you stick to a microfiber cloth. In the case of extreme amounts of grease or dirt, you can use a bit of distilled water to dampen the cloth. Never spray water directly onto your phone’s screen, though.