How to Clean a Cell Phone Screen

Your cell phone is disgusting. Sure, it may look sleek, be fully loaded with all the latest features, but chances are it's a virtual petry dish of germs, not to mention the dust, filth, and smudges that tend to gather on the screen.

Why Cell Phones Are Dirtier Than Ever

The screen is a more important component in cell phones than ever before. When the dirt and grime begins effecting what we're seeing and how well we're using the phone, that's when we pay attention and begin to wonder how to clean it.

The introduction of the iPhone into the market meant several things for the future of cell phones, but the most visible shift was the increase in screen sizes. Remember the days when all the screen showed was the number you were dialing? With smart phones the screen size has increased to encompass the most of the device, connecting users to a whole world of information, entertainment, and social connections. The most successful smart phone models are leading the way, and nearly every model is getting a bigger screen.

What does this all add up to? Cell phones that are:

More expensive
More functional
More used
More fragile

And most of all . . .

Desperate for a good cleaning

Kid Gloves

How to Clean a Cell Phone Screen Most users are naturally hesitant to compromise their investment cleaning their own phones.

Your cell phone represents a significant investment. One reason for this is that smart phones are asserting themselves in the market, attracting customers formerly content with the free or cheap phones from their wireless provider. The product cycle continues to progress and shows no signs of topping out. This new generation of smart phones promises to leave the whole "flip, bar, or slide" debate in the dust.

We're also using cell phones more than ever. Most of us are old enough to remember a time when cell phones were a status symbol, not a necessity. Now, forgetting your cell phone at home is well worth a trip back home to get it, even if you've almost made it to work.

The delicate nature of most modern phones, particularly smart phones, presents a problem for users trying to clean them. After all, we all know that water and electricity don't mix, so most of us know well enough not to just hose it down or run it in the dishwasher. There's a fine line, however, between too little moisture for cleaning your cell phone screen and too much.

The worst move a user can make is to act in ignorance in either direction. Trying to clean your cell phone too dry will tend to risk scratches. Chances are good that your phone will acquire plenty of scratches in its operational life, and while these can be polished off, it's best to prevent scratches in the first place. Cleaning your cell phone too wet could destroy the device and render it inoperable.

Do-it-yourself and professional solutions abound, but know what you’re getting into before you start scrubbing.

Cleaner Beware

Be careful in choosing a product to clean your device.

User's anxiety over breaking their phones in the process of cleaning them has lead to demand for electronics cleaning products. These work perfectly well and usually aren't too expensive. Read labels carefully. These products do exactly what they claim, both good and bad. The product should fit the job.

Most household cleaners are too harsh for electronics, but some can work well. Many users, for instance, have found good results with Windex, a common and relatively mild household cleaner. Use a cotton or microfiber cloth to wipe it clean. Be sure to remove any excess product immediately as leaving it wet to any degree may damage the plastic over time.

An even simpler DIY solution is a simple mix of one part water to one part white vinegar. Again, use a soft cloth and don't be too generous with the moisture.

If you find that there are spots that simply won't rub off, err on the side of being gentle with your device. That stubborn spot may actually be a dent or a scratch in the surface. Screen polishing kits are also relatively inexpensive and are the best way to remove or diminish scratches and nicks in plastic. They typically use a micro-abrasive cream you can then clean off. Such kits are worth the investment as they're also handy in maintaining and restoring your CD and DVD collections.

Protecting the Protectors

If your phone's screen is protected with a skin, shield, or case you may be facing an entirely different cleaning problem. All of the above can be good, effective tools for keeping your entire device sparkling. But what to do when the protective surface itself becomes dirty?

Skin and shield manufacturers usually have cleaning recommendations on their web sites and it's hard to go wrong there. Cases are the easiest to clean because they're made from the toughest stuff and can stand up to most household cleaners.

Skins and "invisible" plastic shields are more delicate. Again, the manufacturer's recommendations are always best. In fact, the manufacturer may even have a cleaning product that's safe to use with their protectors. Zagg, for instance, sells both a heavy cleaning foam and a quick handy wipe, both of which are safe for use with their invisible shield products.

Mere Puffery?

A manufacturer called BoxWave has their own fashionable take on this subject. Their product, the Screen Puff, is a tiny pillow that tethers to the device like a charm. It comes in eight colors and is a handy way to take care of every day smudges.