Smartphone Cleaning Tips

4 Foolproof Tips for Cleaning Your Germ-Infested Smartphone

We take our smartphones with us everywhere. With that much exposure to, well, everything, the cold, hard truth is that your smartphone is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. It’s possible that your phone could be holding up to 20 times as much bacteria as your toilet seat. YUCK. It’s time to start cleaning your smartphone more regularly—so here are our foolproof smartphone cleaning tips to help you get started.

#1. Clean It Regularly with a Microfiber Cloth

Never, ever clean your smartphone with water or harsh chemicals because you could severely damage your screen. Rather, invest in a good microfiber cloth to regularly wipe down your phone. And don’t ever use a paper towel—the fibers from the paper could potentially scratch your screen.

#2. Use Vinegar or Rubbing Alcohol to Disinfect

Using your microfiber cloth or Q-Tips, use a solution of 50/50 vinegar and distilled water to gently clean the solid parts of your phone. A solution of 70/30 rubbing alcohol to water will also work! Always put the solution on the microfiber cloth first.

#3. Invest in an Antimicrobial Screen Protector

A number of companies make antimicrobial screen protectors that stop germs and bacteria dead in their tracks. The ZTE Axon is currently the only phone on the market that has an antimicrobial screen built in. Since your hands are constantly coming in contact with your screen, this might be a worthwhile investment.

#4. Change Out Your Protective Case

Protective cases aren’t cheap, but they definitely take the brunt of the daily wear and tear you inflict on your phone. If you’re using your smartphone everyday, cleaning the case is just as important. Consider having more than one that you can switch out from time to time, allowing one to soak in disinfectant at least overnight. Eventually they get loose, crack, and break down completely, so consider retiring your old case every year and investing in a new one.

Pretty simple, right?


Smartphones go everywhere with us: on the road, on the train, to restaurants, concerts, coffee shops, meetings and, yes, even to the bathroom. Smartphones are ubiquitous and it’s hard to find someone without a smartphone in hand. But that also means that your smartphone is in need of some deep cleaning. With these smartphone cleaning tips, it doesn’t take much to get your smartphone squeaky clean. By implementing a few new habits into your routine, you’ll be sure to have a germ-free phone in no time. Let us know in the comments below what smartphone cleaning tips have worked for you!

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