How to Clean Your iPhone Screen and Case

If you’re asking how to clean your phone screen and case, you already know that it’s host to all sorts of bacteria. Even if you’re washing your hands regularly, COVID-19 experts warn that commonly-touched surfaces, like your cell phone screen, can be a breeding ground for germs. Here are a few great ways to keep everyone’s favorite piece of technology germ-free during the coronavirus pandemic and avoid sickness 365 days a year.

The following is not medical or tech advice. It is meant for educational purposes.

The Dos and Don’ts of How to Clean Your Phone:

Do: Use Clorox or Lysol wipes to clean the hard parts of your phone.
Do: Use an antimicrobial iPhone XR case to keep the exterior clean.
Do: Use an antimicrobial cleaning cloth to wipe off the screen.
Do: Put use screen protector, then wipe its surface.

Don’t: Never clean it. COVID-19 can live for up to 9 days on a hard surface.
Don’t: Get moisture in the openings of your phone.
Don’t: Use bleach or harsh chemicals.
Don’t: Spray liquid directly onto your phone. Dab your screen and case with a damp towel instead.
Don’t Use pure alcohol (make sure it’s 70% only) as this may cause damage.

Why Do I Need to Clean my iPhone?

Your germaphobe friend was right: Many, many studies show that your cell phone screen and case are filthy.

One study suggests that the average iPhone screen is seven times dirtier than a toilet. Published before the COVID-19 outbreak, it found a few (very scary) germs living on cell phones including:

Coli, which can cause extreme diarrhea.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is typically transmitted in hospital settings.
Klebsiella sp, bacteria that cause (among many things) UTIs and pneumonia.
Staphylococcus aureus, which causes Staph infection

The question you should be asking isn’t, is my phone dirty? But what bacteria, viruses, and fungi are living on my iPhone right now.

How Long Could a Virus Like COVID-19 Live on a Cell Phone?

Cleaning your iPhone was always important—even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CDC, WHO, and state-level governments are urging people to take preventative measures against getting the COVID-19 pandemic. This means more than just staying home and washing your hands: The government advises people to clean commonly touched surfaces. What do you touch more than your iPhone?

There are two ways that COVID-19 is transmitted: Though person-to-person contact and through inanimate objects that an infected person has touched. How long do germs live on surfaces? Research on the coronavirus specifically is contradictory:

One study found that COVID-19 remains stable on hard surfaces, like metal and plastic, for 72 hours and on cardboard for 24 hours.
A CDC report also found coronavirus DNA on the Princess Cruise ship 17 days after passengers had debarked.

One thing we know for certain: We all touch our iPhones a lot. And it’s time to make cleaning and investing in an antimicrobial iPhone XR case seriously.

How to Clean your Phone Screen and Case in X Ways

Invest in a screen protector. Though this does not keep your device safe from germs, it decreases the changes of damaging your screen with a harsh cleaning product. These can be very affordable and you can get one put on your phone at the Apple store when you buy it.
Choose Your Cleaning Product: Many recommend Clorox or Lysol wipes, but if these are not accessible, you can also use a homemade mixture that is 70% isopropyl alcohol or another wipe with this content.
1. Do not choose something with a higher alcohol content as this could damage your phone
Gently clean your iPhone screen and case with a wipe. If you are not using a wipe, do not spray liquid directly onto your screen protector. Spray it onto a towel or paper towel first.
When cleaning, avoid getting moisture inside your iPhone.
If you do not have an antimicrobial iPhone case, make sure to clean the back of your phone, too.

Of course, do not use harsh chemicals such as bleach to clean your device. Why should you have a screen protector? Your iPhone screen has its own protective coating and oil-wicking technology. Though this is not enough to prevent the spread of germs on your phone, it can also be damaged by cleaning products. We do not advise using cleaning products without a screen protector.

Avoid getting your device wet, too. This is delicate technology that is not meant to get water inside it. This could damage its internal functionality.

Clean Your Phone with an Antimicrobial iPhone Case

You touch the back of your device as frequently as you touch the front. That’s why it’s essential to clean your iPhone case as often as you clean the screen.

The best way to keep your device clean throughout the day is to use an antimicrobial iPhone case. What does antimicrobial mean? We use medical-grade silicone infused with micronized silver, which can stop the spread of germs. Specifically, our case is compatible with iPhone XR devices. We’re currently offering 15% off our limited pre-launch.

In the meantime, keep cleaning your device and screen, along with other common touch points around the home. These may include door handles, other electronics, kitchen appliances, and so much more.