How to Clean Your Phone Safely (Screen, Ports, Speakers and Case)

You touch your phone hundreds of times a day, hold it against your face, put it down on café tables and take it into the bathroom. It gets grubby.

A proper clean takes five minutes and can fix real problems too, like muffled speakers and a charging cable that won't stay in. The trick is knowing what's safe to use and what will damage it.

Before you start: Android menus vary a little between phone makers. The steps below use Google Pixel / standard Android names, with Samsung Galaxy differences noted. If you can't find a setting, tap the search bar at the top of Settings and type its name.

Clean your phone: the 5 steps at a glance

How to clean your phone on Android

Step 1: Switch off and take off the case

Where: Power off › unplug › remove case

Switch the phone off and unplug any cable or headphones. This stops accidental taps and is safer when anything damp is involved. Take the case off completely. Grit trapped between case and phone is what causes those fine scratches on the back and sides, so cleaning the case separately really matters.

Step 2: Wipe the screen and body

Where: Microfibre cloth › slightly damp

Wipe the screen and body with a soft, lint-free microfibre cloth (the kind for glasses), slightly dampened with plain water. To disinfect, the major phone makers say a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe is fine on hard surfaces. Wipe gently and keep moisture away from the openings. Never spray anything directly onto the phone.

Step 3: Clear the ports and speakers

Where: Wooden toothpick · soft dry brush

Shine a torch into the charging port. You'll probably see compacted pocket fluff. Ease it out gently with a wooden or plastic toothpick, never metal. Brush the speaker and microphone grilles with a clean, dry, soft toothbrush. Avoid compressed air, which can damage the delicate mesh and force dust further inside.

Step 4: Wash the case

Where: Warm soapy water › dry fully

Silicone, rubber and plastic cases can be washed in warm water with a little washing-up liquid. Scrub the corners and edges with an old toothbrush, rinse, and dry completely before refitting, as trapped moisture is bad for the phone. Leather cases need only a barely damp cloth. If a clear case has turned yellow, that's the plastic ageing, and it won't wash out.

Step 5: Know what never to use

Where: No bleach, sprays or kitchen roll

Phone screens have an oil-repellent coating that helps fingerprints wipe off. Bleach, window cleaner, kitchen and bathroom sprays, vinegar and hand sanitiser gel strip it away. Kitchen roll and tissues are slightly abrasive and leave lint. Don't hold the phone under a running tap either, even if it's water-resistant, and never use a hairdryer to dry it.

Pro tip

💡 Give the camera lenses a wipe with the microfibre cloth while you're at it. A greasy lens is the main reason for hazy, blurry photos.

FAQ

How often should I clean my phone?

A quick wipe of the screen once a week, and a proper clean of the ports and case every month or so.

Can I use antibacterial wipes?

70% isopropyl alcohol wipes are fine. Avoid wipes containing bleach, and don't use them on leather or fabric cases.

Does a screen protector help?

Yes. It takes the scratches and can be replaced cheaply, and you can clean it more freely than the screen itself.

The bottom line

A microfibre cloth, a wooden toothpick and an old toothbrush are all the kit you need. Five minutes a month keeps your phone hygienic and often fixes muffled sound and loose charging cables too.