Phones are the most used gadgets in today’s era. This is one of those devices that people carry along with wherever they go and use them whenever they need to. According to a study, an individual uses his phone for at least 4 hours and 37 minutes per day. This simply implies that your phone endures excessive use, and so does its screen, attracting dust, gunk, grime, and sometimes bacteria as well.
Regular cleaning of phone screens becomes inevitable in such circumstances. Doing so not only allows you to have a clean and clear display but also helps maintain hygiene. However, it is crucial to follow safe cleaning techniques to ensure your phone’s safety. If you are wondering how you can do that, keep reading this post. Here, we are sharing some simple and safe tips to clean your phone screen. So, let’s get started…
Before we move to the tips for safe cleaning, let’s understand why proper cleaning of your phone screen is essential. Here we go…
Why It Is Important To Keep Your Phone Clean?
Our phones endure constant use from morning until we go to bed. Some people even use their phones every night after hitting the bed when they fail to get sleep. This implies that smartphones encounter a range of environments and conditions, collecting germs and bacteria from every surface they rest upon. These germs can be detrimental to your health. They can even lead to several health issues, including cold, flu, infection, etc.
Smartphones are known to harbour some extremely hazardous germs and pathogens, including Shigella, E. coli, Giardia, Streptococcus, and so on. Of course, your phone doesn’t directly affect your health. However, touching your face immediately after using your phone increases your likelihood of getting an infection caused by germs. And that’s the reason keeping your phone is very, in fact, the most important thing that you can do to lead a healthy life.
So, how often should you clean your phone screen?
Read the next section to know how often you should clean your device’s screen. Here we go…
How Often Should You Clean Your Phone’s Screen?
Since your phone is constantly in use, and its screen is the most used part. Hence, it is crucial to clean your phone’s screen at least once a day. Doing so helps you prevent the buildup of fingerprints, dust, dirt, germs, and bacteria. There are numerous ways our phone’s screen gathers dirt, grime, germs, bacteria, and so on. For instance, oil on our phone’s screen comes from our own skin and the tables that it sits on.
Regular Screen cleaning (daily cleaning is most preferred) ensures clearer display and proper hygiene. If you’re unable to clean your phone daily, then make sure you clean it at least once in two days. Daily cleaning is particularly advisable during flu seasons or for those who often spend their time in public spaces, such as gyms, restaurants, public transport, etc.
So, how can you clean your phone screen?
Read further for the tips and tricks to keep your phone’s screen in pristine condition at all times. Here we go….
Step-by-Step Guide To Clean Your Phone Screen
Experts suggest giving your phone’s screen a deep cleaning every day, especially if you tend to spend most of your time in public spaces. Here is our step-by-step guide to keep your phone’s screen looking pristine at all times. Take a look…
STEP 1: Turn off your phone and unplug any accessories
First things first, before you begin cleaning your phone screen, it is essential to turn off your device. Additionally, unplug any accessory, such as your phone’s charger, cables, dongles, etc., to ensure safe cleaning. This is particularly crucial if you plan to use a liquid cleanser. Turning off your device and unplugging accessories reduces the likelihood of shocks or damage to your device.
STEP 2: Wipe your phone screen with a dry microfiber cloth
For a deep clean, it is recommended to wipe your phone screen with a microfiber cloth. Make sure you use a dry, lint-free microfiber cloth to wipe your device. You can get this type of cloth from any vendor selling mobile accessories or place an order online. Having it handy is a MUST for properly cleaning your phone screen.
STEP 3: Dampen a part of the cloth lightly with water or any liquid disinfectant
Removing stubborn gunk won’t be possible with a dry microfiber cloth. Therefore, it is advised to dampen a part of the cloth lightly with water or any liquid disinfectant (preferably one with 70% isopropyl alcohol). Make sure to squeeze the excess moisture prior to using the damp cloth on a mobile screen. The idea is to lightly dampen the cloth.
Alternatively, you can also use specialized screen wipes or sprays to deep clean your device. Specialized screen wipes ensure the proper safety of your phone’s screen and other parts as well.
STEP 4: Be gentle
Once you have dampened the cloth, it’s time to wipe any problem areas using the damp cloth. Make sure to apply gentle pressure, or else you will end up damaging your screen. Here are the steps to follow:
First, wipe your phone screen with a damp cloth (especially in the area where there are stubborn stains or smudges).
Then, use the dry part of the cloth to dry your phone’s screen. You can also air-dry the phone screen.
NOTE: Apply gentle pressure and make light, circular movements to wipe away dirt, gunk, and smudges.
This is all about cleaning your phone screen, let’s now take a look at the steps to disinfect your phone screen. Here we go…
Disinfecting Your Phone Screen
In addition to cleaning your phone, disinfecting it is also crucial. Here are the steps you need to follow to disinfect your device and bid adieu to hazardous germs and bacteria. Take a look…
STEP 1: Power off your device and unplug all accessories
Like you did when cleaning your device, again, switch off your device and unplug all cables and other accessories before you begin disinfecting it.
STEP 2: Wipe your screen with a specialized screen-friendly disinfecting wipe
Wipe your screen using a specialized disinfecting wipe. Make sure you use a screen-friendly disinfecting wipe. Experts suggest using 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes, and Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. These are specifically designed for delicate touch screens.
STEP 3: Wipe thoroughly
Make sure to wipe your device thoroughly, especially the touch screen. However, it is crucial to steer clear of any opening on your device, as the liquid content in the wipe can cause some damage to your device. Hence, be careful not to harm your device with the liquid content.
So, these are the steps to follow to disinfect your device and stay healthy at all times. Let’s now take a look at some things that you should remember and things that you should avoid when cleaning your phone. Read on!
Things To Remember
Here are certain things that you should keep in mind when cleaning your phone screen. Take a look
- Use only specialized screen wipes or sprays.
- Make sure to invest in high-quality cleaning wipes or sprays. High-quality wipes make removing gunk a breeze.
- Use only a microfiber cloth for safe and simple cleaning of your device. A microfiber cloth works well with screen-cleaning liquids as well.
- Use only gentle cleaners to clean your device.
- Use only screen-safe disinfectant wipes to disinfect your wipes.
- Invest in a high-quality screen protector to avoid any damage to your phone screen.
- Consider investing in ready-to-use cleaning wipes, specifically meant for cleaning screens or other electronic gadgets. Alternatively, you can also use pre-moistened lens wipes – the ones that you use for cleaning your prescription glasses. They are generally safe for touch screens.
- Read cleaning instructions or recommendations provided by the device’s manufacturer. You can also check the user manual or the manufacturer’s website for more information.
Things to Avoid
Here is a list of things that you MUST avoid in any situation when cleaning or disinfecting your device. Read on!
- Avoid cleaning your phone screen or phone with pure alcohol, as it can cause significant damage to your phone’s screen in the long run.
- Avoid using too much liquid, as it can spread in any opening, causing long-term damage.
- Avoid spraying any liquid disinfectant directly on your screen to prevent any damage. Make sure to squeeze the excess liquid first.
- Avoid spreading liquid in the phone’s openings, such as speakers, ports, and other openings. Be extra careful when cleaning your device with liquid disinfectant.
- Avoid harsh cleansers, especially the ones that contain ammonia, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or high concentrations of alcohol (above 70% isopropyl alcohol or 75% ethyl alcohol). This is because harsh chemicals can cause long-term damage to your screen.
- Avoid using excessive pressure on your device while cleaning or disinfecting it. Doing so can cause long-term damage to your phone, such as a crack on the touch screen.
- Avoid using abrasive cleaning cloths, sponges, or paper towels as they scratch up the surface of your phone screen.
- Always use a soft, microfiber cloth or a pre-moistened lens or electronics wipe to clean your touch screen. Never use scrubby or abrasive cloths or sponges. Paper towels can also scratch up the surface of your touch screen.
The Bottom Line
So, these are the steps you can use to clean your phone and keep it safe always. All these tips are tried and tested. Regular cleaning of your phone will not only help you have a clearer display but also allow you to have good health. Hence, make sure to follow this step-by-step guide and share it with your loved ones so that they can also keep their phone looking pristine.
Let’s now take a look at some FAQs pertaining to phone screen cleaning. Here we go…
FAQs
Q1. Are ready-to-use disinfectant wipes safe for a phone’s touch screen?
Yes, ready-to-use disinfectant wipes are safe for your touch screen. However, it is crucial to check the ingredients prior to buying one. Any disinfectant that you buy should be screen-friendly and should not contain harsh chemicals.
Q2. Which are the best disinfectants for a phone screen?
Disinfectants that do not contain harsh chemicals, such as ammonia, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or other harsh chemicals, are considered best for wiping phone screens. You can buy one that contains 70% isopropyl alcohol or 75% ethyl alcohol above 70%, which can be damaging to your device.
Q3. Can I clean my phone with a paper towel?
No, not at all. Paper towels are not safe for your phone’s screen. Paper towels can also scratch up the surface of your touch screen. Use only microfiber cloth and mild cleanser or disinfecting solution for cleaning your phone screen.
Q4. Can I make disinfectant at home?
Yes. All you have to do is to use 70% isopropyl alcohol and distilled water in equal proportion. Pour the liquid into a spray bottle and shake it well to mix the ingredients. You can use this solution whenever you wish to clean your phone screen. However, it is crucial to use this solution on a microfiber or lint-free cleaning cloth.
Happy Cleaning… 😊 😊
