How to clean your phone the right way

We understand, your phone is what keeps you connected. Especially now, as we try to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through social distancing, we're relying on our phones and other communication devices more than ever. This also means we're touching our tech... a lot. Even during normal times, Americans check their phones 96 times a day—that's at least once every 10 minutes!

While remembering to wash your hands and to disinfect commonly touched surfaces around the house, it's important to remember to disinfect your tech, too. Asurion Experts help millions of customers get the most out of the tech they rely on every day, and showing them how to keep their phones clean is no exception. Here are their 6 tips on how to clean your phone to help prevent the spread of germs.

How to clean your phone

Keeping your phone clean will not only help to stop the spread of germs, but it will also help to keep your device performing at its best. Here's how to safely sanitize your phone:

1. As a safety precaution, turn your phone or tablet off before cleaning.
2. If you use a protective case on your phone or device, be sure to remove the case before starting the cleaning process.
3. Use a microfiber cloth with a cleaning solution (suggested: 50/50 water and alcohol).
4. Spray the cloth, not the device.
5. Steer clear of cleaning or disinfectant wipes. Depending on the ingredients they could damage the external coating or the internal makeup.
6. Make sure to wash your hands when you're done.

Be sure to clean all the parts of your device—check out our guide on how to safely clean out your phone charging port.

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Another suggestion: Try a UV sanitizing device. Ultraviolet light can kill 99.9% of germs in about 10 minutes. Some can even charge your phone while they clean.

How to clean your phone case

When cleaning your phone, don't forget about your phone case. While you're letting your phone or tablet air dry, give the protective case some disinfecting attention by handwashing it. For plastic or glass cases, use soap and water, disinfectant spray, disinfectant wipes or glass cleaner.

If you have a leather case, but no leather cleaner, just wipe it down with soap and water. Make sure it's dry before putting the case back on your phone.

Don't forget about the case's openings such as the headphone jack, camera and other buttons—wipe it all!

Give your phone accessories like the charger and headphones a quick wipe down too. Check out our guide on how to clean your AirPods and other wireless headphones.

How often should you clean your phone?

The easy answer is: clean your technology regularly.

How often is regularly? Well, that depends. Where do you use your device? If you're someone that takes your phone into the restroom, you should wipe it down more often than someone who does not. If you tend to eat while scrolling through your device, a daily wipe down with a microfiber cloth would be a good idea. The more you clean it, the better.