Stop cleaning your phone the wrong way!

It’s a common misconception that phones are hard to keep clean. The good news is it’s easier than you think.
Admit it - we all have a bad habit of cleaning devices the wrong way. Most of the time, you’ll see family, friends or strangers do a quick wipe on their jeans or T-shirt and then go about their day. Why don’t we prioritise the cleanliness of our devices? We use them for hours and hours at a time. It doesn’t make sense.

Sometimes it feels like we’re more concerned with smears and being able to see our tech, than with making sure there’s no dirt, grime or bacteria coming into contact with our hands and faces. Now, more than ever, it’s important to clean and disinfect your phone.

Science does show that impermeable surfaces are more suitable for bacteria than those with pores. Your phone isn’t very porous, so it’s a good idea to keep it clean as who knows how long germs could be on there for!

What to avoid
Before we tell you what you should use, let’s go over what you shouldn’t. We’ve put together a list of the things you should avoid so that you don’t damage your important device. Remember - just because something cleans your hands or your home, doesn’t mean it’s good for your phone!

The majority of modern mobile phones are made of strong and sturdy materials. It’s why we buy them. However, many of us will know how easy it is to crack the phone screen itself; they’re delicate components just like the inside of our favourite devices.

Using paper towels or clothing to wipe smart phones is a bad idea. They’re abrasive materials and will scratch the surface over time, plus they have zero antibacterial properties. It goes without saying that you should avoid glass cleaner, hydrogen peroxide, bleach and solvents, but let’s look at our advice in more detail.

Disinfectants & Cleaners
They do what they say on the packet, but at what cost?

Instead of having a screen that is largely fingerprint and moisture free, you’ll soon have one that’s bubbled, scratched or has a rough texture. Not ideal for expensive tech and when screens are a big seller for new devices. Cleaners contain harsh chemicals, and just because they’re harsh on grime doesn’t mean they’re going to get on well with your phone. When you use them on your phone screen they will ruin the oleophobic coating that the majority of smartphone displays now
use. It’s a resounding ‘no’ for glass cleaners, bleach, solvents and hydrogen peroxide.

Use alcohol or alcohol-based products on your phone and you’ll experience smears and smudges on your screen that won’t budge. Sure your phone will be bacteria-free, but alcohol can also short-circuit your device so you’ll be left with, at worst, an expensive paperweight, or at best a device that needs a new screen. Alcohol is fine for hand santiser (your hands only!), but don’t get it on your phone.

Anything liquid based like water, alcohol or ammonia can cause water damage. This means, whether damage has occurred or not, your phone’s LDI (liquid damage indicator to you or me) will detect something is wrong and your warranty will be void. Lots of people are experiencing this from using hand sanitiser on their tech, so don’t be caught out.

Damp Cloths, Sprays & Aerosols
Just like some cleaners have to be rinsed, it’s a double-no from us when it comes to putting water near your phone.

Damp cloths can be a quick fix for visible spills, but germs and viruses are invisible. A damp cloth won’t do the job when it comes to keeping your phone free from bacteria so avoid this tip you may read online.

Sprays can fall under the disinfectants and cleaners we mentioned, so don’t use them. They’re wet and will get into the cracks and openings of your device, potentially ruining it and triggering the LDI. They can also ruin the coating of your device.

Some well-meaning tech lovers suggest using compressed air to clean devices, and while that works for keyboards you shouldn’t use them on your phone. Strong blasts of air can clean your ports of fluff and dust, but it can also ruin the insides of your handset. One alternative to everything we have mentioned is using a chemical-free cleaner, but you’re still taking a risk with liquid damage. The easiest way to clean your phone is with Smart Screen.

Clean your phone the right way
Apple and other manufacturers say it’s okay to use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes on your electronics, but we say, why take the risk?

Advice has changed since COVID-19, and we think it’s better to be safe than sorry. Ultraviolet light can safely sanitise electronics but this tech is best used alongside other methods (and let’s be honest, who has a UV light at home?)

Smart Screen makes choosing the right product easy. Thanks to our Silver Ion antibacterial weave, bacteria is killed on contact and is effective for 15 washes.

Before cleaning your phone
Power down the device (off, not locked or asleep)
Remove your case if you have one
Unplug everything - no charging cables, no headphones connected

How to clean your phone
Taking extra care around ports, buttons and the screen, gently wipe over your phone is circular motions with the Smart Screen until fingerprints and smears are gone. You won’t be able to see, but bacteria will be destroyed on contact.
Microfiber cloths are convenient and gentle. Not only are they made of fabric that picks up more dirt, they’re less abrasive and antimicrobial. They can be used on all sorts of devices and items, from glasses to camera lenses, TVs to smartphones. There’s no lint left behind and you don’t have to worry about damaging your phone. Smudges, fingerprints and germs, gone.

Pick the perfect partner to your smart phone, the Smart Screen today!