Your phone is covered in germs and dirt. How to clean it without damaging it - CNET

Make sure you clean your phone well.

Derek Poore / CNET

Your phone has bacteria everywhere. Think about the number of times you put your phone on counters and tables. Or touch your phone after touching groceries, doorknobs, ATM buttons, cash, or a shopping cart. Germs are everywhere, but with ever changing clues about the likelihood of the coronavirus spreading through items and objects in shared spaces, as well as airborne transmission, it's time to talk again about the possibilities of filters. .

While surfaces are not considered to be the main means of spreading the coronavirus , it does so through airborne transmission, so ventilation, masks, and social distancing in general are essential. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the coronavirus can persist on surfaces and objects from a few hours to several days. It is recommended that you clean your phone at least once a day and it is best to follow your phone's instructions to clean it without damaging it.

Regardless of the state of the pandemic, cleaning your phone is a good idea. But how do you remove makeup and dirt without damaging your beloved device? We provide tips on how to disinfect, remove fingerprints, and more on your screen. You should also know what cleaners to avoid and how to keep your phones waterproof . We recently updated this story.

Disinfect with wipes or the appropriate alcohol-based solution.

If you touch your phone after touching a public door handle or shopping cart, your first thought might be to clean it with rubbing alcohol. No. Pure alcohol can remove oil and water repellants that prevent oil and water from damaging your phone's screen and other ports.

Some websites suggest that you make a mixture of alcohol and water yourself, but getting the right concentration is important. If you make a mistake, you can damage your phone. It is safest to use disinfectant wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol to clean your phone's screen.

Get rid of glass cleaner and countertop spray now!

Derek Poore / CNET

Before the pandemic, we were told not to use disinfectant wipes on our phone screens, but Apple says it's okay to use Clorox wipes and others of similar strengths.

AT & T's cleaning guidelines suggest "spraying a non-abrasive or alcohol-based disinfectant (70% isopropyl) directly onto a soft, lint-free cloth and cleaning the device when it is turned off and unplugged." Samsung has also stated that it can make a solution based on 70% ethanol alcohol or isopropyl alcohol that is applied with a microfiber cloth.

Another option for daily cleaning is to invest in a UV lamp like PhoneSoap . This UV lamp company claims that their product kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria. To the best of our knowledge, it has not been tested against this strain of coronavirus.

Remove fingerprints with a microfiber cloth.

Fingerprint stains are difficult to avoid because your skin is constantly producing oils. This means that every time you pick up your phone, it is sure to leave fingerprints on it.

The safest and most effective way to clean the screen is to use a microfiber cloth. If the screen needs cleaning urgently, dampen the microfiber cloth with distilled water, and then clean the screen. Avoid spraying water directly on the screen. This method can also be used on the back and sides of your phone.

You can also try a microfiber screen cleaning sticker that sticks to the back of your phone and can be removed if you need to clean it.

Also, check out Samsung's tips on cleaning your phone.

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Get rid of your fingerprints and other grime with these cleaning tips.

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Eliminate sand and lint with this tape trick

Lint and sand can get stuck in the small ports on your phone and in the crevices between the screen and the case.

Sand and lint are best removed with masking tape. You can place it along the folds and the speaker, then roll it up and carefully place it in the openings. The tape will remove any lint or sand that may have stuck to your phone.

For the small holes in the speakers that the tape can't reach, use a toothpick (gently) or try vacuuming up the dirt with a small slitting tool . These tools can also be used for other small appliances or hard-to-reach places in your car.

Clean the makeup with a damp cloth.

When you have a makeup on and need to make a phone call, guess what that foundation will hold? That's right, your phone screen. And while you can use makeup remover every night to remove makeup, you shouldn't use it as a screen cleaner because certain chemicals may lurk in the ingredients. ( Organics.org explains the chemicals your makeup remover might contain.)

Instead, you can give your phone its own makeup remover like Whoosh . The company claims that their product is safe for all screens and does not contain alcohol, chlorine, ammonia, or phosphates which could damage various screen coatings.

You can also clean the phone with a damp microfiber cloth and then throw this cloth in the washing machine. Use a spray bottle to spray the cloth instead of holding it under water. The less water the better.

Can you wash waterproof phones?

If you have a waterproof phone rated IP67 or higher , you can rinse it off with water. While these phones, like the iPhone 7 ( $ 234 on eBay ) and the newer phones and the Galaxy S , can submerge in up to 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes, that's a good thing. It is best to use a damp or wet cloth. to clean your phone. Then, dry your phone with a soft, dry cloth to remove the water. Make sure all speakers and connections are dry.

If you soak your phone in water or put it under a faucet, water will enter the ports, which means you won't be able to charge it until it is dry, which may take some time. Remember that a waterproof phone is more secure in the event of an accident than voluntarily taking your phone with you for a swim.

If you're on the phone with makeup on, guess what's going on on your phone.

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9 things you should never use to clean your phone

We're here to warn you, not to embarrass you, but drop the bottle of Windex. This is not how you clean your screen.

Hydroalcoholic gel

Since some hand sanitizers contain ingredients such as perfumes and ethyl alcohol, it is best to keep the sanitizer away from the phone screen. However, if you've touched anything outside of your home, it is a good idea to sanitize your hands before touching the phone to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria. For best results, use a manufacturer's hand sanitizer instead of making it yourself at home (they're not as effective).

window cleaner

Clean your mirrors and windows with glass cleaner and are they perfectly clean, should the glass cleaner be suitable for use on your phone? Not correct! Some newer phones, like the iPhone XR ( $ 499 on Amazon ) , have a protective layer that is water and oil resistant and can wear out over time.

Using harsh detergents can remove the coating and make your phone more prone to scratches. James LeBeau, Associate Professor of Materials Science and Technology at MIT, told us that any cleaner that contains an abrasive would likely scratch the surface, so they should be avoided entirely.

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Kitchen cleaner

The scratch resistance of a screen is not affected by detergents, but the peeling of this protective layer is still a problem. This is also why Apple recommends that you avoid using household cleaners , including bleach, to clean your iPhone . Bartender's Friend, for example, claims that its abrasive formula can damage the protective coating . Bon Ami explains that it cannot be used on coated glass.

Paper napkins

They can be the perfect solution for cleaning your desk, but keep them away from your phone. Paper can tear, which makes dirt on your phone worse. Paper towels can even scratch the screen.

Rub in alcohol

Since many newer phones have a protective coating, the alcohol can wear out faster over time, making your phone more prone to scratches. Be sure to check the product ingredients in each "safe" phone screen cleaner for alcohol. Apple says you should avoid using alcohol when cleaning your devices.

Make-up remover

Some makeup removers may contain chemicals that can be harsh on an electronic screen. LeBeau recommends avoiding makeup removers and using a soft cloth with a little water instead.

Compressed air

Your phone is fragile. So if you blow a lot of air through your portals, it can damage your microphone in particular. Tech companies like Apple expressly warn against the use of compressed air .

Dish soap and hand soap

Although their plates and hand soaps are bland , the only way to utilize them is by combining them with water. Most phone providers recommend keeping water off your phone, so tape back to a damp cloth.

The vinegar

It's a no The vinegar will remove the coating from the screen. As Lifehacker suggests , you can use heavily diluted vinegar to clean other parts of your phone. Android Central recommends a 50/50 mixture of distilled water to clean the sides and back.

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