How to Clean Your iPhone
Key Takeaways
- Use Gentle Materials: Stick to lint-free microfiber cloths and wooden toothpicks to avoid scratching or damaging internal components.
- Safe Disinfectants: Use 70% isopropyl alcohol or disinfecting wipes; never use bleach or aerosol sprays directly on the device.
- Power Down First: Always unplug and turn off your iPhone before starting the cleaning process to prevent electrical issues.
- Avoid Submersion: Use a damp cloth rather than excess liquid to prevent moisture from entering the openings.
There are dozens of ways to clean your iPhone, but not all of them are the best option. Many sites may recommend harsh chemicals such as bleach or other abrasive materials that can cause damage to your iPhone. Use the simple list and steps below to gently sanitize your iPhone and sanitize your iPhone effectively using these straightforward steps.
What you’ll need to clean your iPhone
To ensure a thorough cleaning, you’ll need the following supplies to clean your iPhone. Most of these items are common household supplies.
| Cleaning Supply | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Lint-free cloth | Wiping down surfaces without scratching or leaving residue. |
| Wooden toothpicks | Safely removing debris from charging ports and SIM trays. |
| 70% Isopropyl alcohol | Sanitizing and disinfecting the exterior surfaces. |
| Mild dish soap | Mixed with warm water to remove stubborn smudges and dirt. |
How to clean your iPhone
With these supplies gathered, follow these steps to clean your iPhone effectively.
Step 1: Unplug and power down
Before tackling any cleaning, make sure that your iPhone is completely powered down and not plugged in to any accessories or charging cords.
Step 2: Gently wipe your iPhone
Before any cleaning agents touch your iPhone, give the screen a once-over with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free lens cloth.
Step 3: Wipe your iPhone with mild soapy water
Dampen the same lint free cloth you used in step 2 with a very small amount of the soapy warm water mixture. Be sure to avoid getting moisture in any openings such as the speaker grills or charging port. Don’t go overboard with this step to avoid too much water. A few wipes with the damp soft cloth will help to eliminate any remaining smudges you may still see on your iPhone.
Step 4: Sanitize with 70% isopropyl alcohol
Next, it’s time for the Clorox disinfecting wipes, 70% isopropyl alcohol, or 75% ethyl alcohol. You don’t need several alcohol wipes - one will do. Do not use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Gently wipe down your iPhone’s front, back and sides to disinfect, then follow with a dry lint-free cloth.
Step 5: Clean your iPhone’s ports
The final step involves using wooden toothpicks to give your iPhone’s USB-C or charging port a gently cleaning. Make sure to go slow and steady on the charging port, sim tray opening and any other ports on your iPhone to avoid unnecessary damage.
Frequently asked questions about cleaning your iPhone
Can I use aerosol sprays for cleaning my iPhone?
Apple specifically advises against aerosol sprays, compressed air, or any cleaner applied directly to the phone. That’s why the best option is to use a slightly damp lint-free cloth instead.
Can I use household cleaners to clean my iPhone?
Yes. Mix one drop of mild dish soap into warm water, then use a slightly damp lint-free cloth to clean the exterior. For disinfecting, use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes, or Clorox disinfecting wipes. Avoid bleach, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide.
How do I clean up junk files on my iPhone so it runs faster?
- Check storage: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see what’s taking up space.
- Offload unused apps: Use the “Offload App” option to remove apps you don’t use while keeping documents and data.
- Delete large attachments: Review Messages and remove large attachments from conversations you no longer need.
- Clear downloaded media: Remove offline downloads in streaming apps (music, podcasts, video) you’re no longer using.
- Review photos and videos: Delete duplicates, old screen recordings, and large videos, then empty Recently Deleted.
- Clear the cache on your phone to remove temporary files and further improve performance.
Is it safe to use alcohol wipes on my iPhone screen?
Yes, it’s generally safe to use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes, or Clorox disinfecting wipes on the exterior. Avoid bleach or hydrogen peroxide, and don’t spray any cleaner directly onto the screen or openings.
My iPhone screen has scratches. Can I buff them out?
It is not recommended to buff out any scratch or scratches you may have on your iPhone glass surface. If the scratches are too deep or becoming cracks, it may be best to replace to glass screen or consider upgrading to a refurbished iPhone. You could end up paying the same amount or even less for a refurbished phone that you would for a screen replacement!
Declutter and clean this spring with ecoATM
If you discovered old phones during spring cleaning that are beyond a simple cleaning, ecoATM offers a convenient solution. You can bring them to your local ecoATM kiosk to get instant cash while ensuring they’re properly recycled or reused.
With over 5,000 kiosk locations in places you already shop, ecoATM makes it simple and convenient to sell or recycle old phones discovered during spring cleaning. You can even price your device online ahead of your visit to save time at the kiosk. Simply bring your old devices and a valid state ID to your neighborhood ecoATM to earn instant cash and do right by the planet, today!
Learn more about our work for the planet, or find an ecoATM kiosk near you to get started!
