Easy iPhone Cleaning: Keep Your Device Fresh

Introduction

In an age dominated by iPhones, our devices have become an extension of ourselves, playing a crucial role in our daily lives. Keeping these electronic companions clean not only extends their lifespan but ensures they function at their optimum capacity.

This comprehensive guide provides you with safe, effective methods to clean your iPhone, ensuring its longevity and your health. From the materials you should use to the ones to avoid, to specialized techniques for cleaning different parts of your iPhone, we’ve got you covered.

Dive in to discover how to maintain the pristine condition of your phone while keeping it free from harmful germs and dirt.

Materials for Safe Cleaning

• Microfiber cloth
• Mild disinfectant (70% isopropyl alcohol, 75% ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes)
• Cotton swabs
• Soft brush
• Gentle plastic scraper or pick
• Masking tape

Avoid These Items

• Glass cleaner
• Household cleaner
• Rough fabrics
• Excess moisture or submersion
• Compressed air

Cleaning Your iPhone’s Exterior

1. Screen and Casing: Gently wipe the screen and casing with a soft cloth and a mild cleaner like 70% isopropyl alcohol. Use your fingernail wrapped in the cloth to clean grooves and ridges. Change the cloth if it becomes dirty or too damp.
2. Ports and Headphone Jack: Examine the charging port and headphone jack with a bright light. Gently blow into the ports and tap your iPhone with the ports facing downward. Use a soft brush, soft plastic or wooden pick wrapped in a thin cotton or microfiber cloth to carefully clean the ports.
3. Speakers and Microphone Grilles: Use a cotton swab, soft pick, or soft-bristled brush to clean the speakers and microphone grilles gently. Avoid using compressed air or metal tools.
4. Disinfecting Your iPhone: Lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with an alcohol-based cleaner or use a disposable disinfecting wipe suitable for electronics. Never submerge or spray your iPhone directly.

What to Do if Your iPhone Has a Case

If your iPhone has a case, decide whether it needs to be removed for cleaning. We recommend removing the case once every two or three months to make sure no grit is building up in the small spaces for a thorough cleaning of both the case and the phone.

Cleaning the Ports of Your iPhone

How to Clean the Charging Ports and Headphone Jack

If your charging port or headphone jack has gotten dirty, you can clean it with very small implements and a light touch.

First, use a bright light to check the ports and determine if you can see an obstruction. Blow gently into the ports and tap your iPhone with the ports pointed downward, but do not use compressed air.

You can use a soft plastic or wooden pick in a thin piece of cotton or microfiber cloth to try and dislodge what is in the port, but be careful as your charging and headphone ports are very easy to damage from within. You can also use a soft-bristled brush like a paintbrush.

Additional Reading: How-to Clean Your Phone Charging Port

What to Do If the Ports Are Not Working Properly

If your iPhone charging port or headphone jack is not working, take it in to a local phone repair location where an expert can troubleshoot the issues and even potentially replace the port, if needed.

Additional Reading: How much to fix iPhone charging port

Cleaning the Speakers and Microphones

How to Clean the Speakers and Microphone Grilles

The microphones and speakers of an iPhone are very small, located within grilled holes in the bottom of your phone near the charge port. You can clean them with a cotton swab or combine a soft pick with a microfiber cloth. Do not use compressed air or a metal tool.

One of the best ways to clean your speakers and microphone grilles is with a soft-bristled brush like a flat-tipped paintbrush. This is gentle enough not to damage your iPhone but can allow you to dislodge grit and grime. Make sure your brush is both clean and dry, then gently dab the brush at different angles into the speaker grilles and flick it out to pull out debris. Tap off the brush between dabs.

What to Do If the Speakers or Microphones are Not Working Properly

If your iPhone speakers or microphone have stopped working, check your settings to make sure everything is enabled and turned up. If this does not work, take your phone into a local repair shop and have the issue inspected for loose wires or other issues.

Cleaning Your iPhone with Disinfectants

How to Properly Disinfect Your iPhone

Disinfecting your iPhone can be done with mild disinfecting cleaners and a soft cloth. Never submerge or spray your iPhone directly. Instead, lightly damp a microfiber cloth with an alcohol-based cleaner and wipe it down, or use a disposable disinfecting wipe rated for electronics.

What Disinfectants to Use and How to Apply Them Safely

Acceptable disinfectants for your iPhone include 70% isopropyl alcohol, 75% ethyl alcohol, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, according to Apple.

What to Do If Your iPhone Needs Extra Attention

If your iPhone has a case, remove it every two or three months for thorough cleaning. If your iPhone’s charging port, headphone jack, speakers, or microphone are not functioning properly, visit a local phone repair shop for expert assistance.

Gophermods is an expert in iPhone repair and maintenance, so we know what it takes to keep your iPhone in great working condition. This includes regular cleaning and disinfecting your iPhone to keep it from accumulating germs over time. These cleaning methods will ensure that your ports and speakers continue to work properly and help to avoid scratches on the screen and case over time.

iPhone Cleaning FAQs

1. What kind of microfiber cloth is best for cleaning my iPhone?
   • Look for lint-free, soft microfiber cloths sold to clean electronics or glasses.
2. Can I use alcohol wipes to clean my iPhone?
   • Only if the alcohol type is correct. Do not use anything stronger than 70% isopropyl alcohol or 75% ethyl alcohol.
3. How often should I clean my iPhone?
   • Clean your iPhone once a week to maintain its best performance.
4. How do I clean my iPhone if it has a scratch-resistant coating?
   • iPhones with scratch-resistant coating can be cleaned the same way as iPhones without this coating.
5. What should I do if I accidentally get water in my iPhone’s ports?
   • Let the water evaporate. Clean water will evaporate cleanly in a few hours (2-6) depending on climate.
   • If you get something sticky like soda in the port, rinse carefully and then let it evaporate.
6. Can I use compressed air to clean my iPhone’s ports?
   • Apple does not advise using compressed air to clean any part of your iPhone, as the impact can damage delicate parts.
7. How do I clean my iPhone’s speakers without damaging them?
   • The best way to safely clean your iPhone speakers is with a soft, clean, and dry paintbrush.
8. Can I use a toothbrush to clean my iPhone’s microphones?
   • It is not advised to sue your toothbrush to clean iPhone microphones, as the bristles tend to be rougher plastic. However, a brand new “soft” bristled toothbrush can be used in a pinch. Gently.
9. What kind of disinfectants can I use on my iPhone?
   • Use gentle disinfectants that dry quickly like 70% isopropyl alcohol or 75% ethyl alcohol.
10. Can I use UV-C light to disinfect my iPhone?
    • Apple does not advise using UV light to clean your iPhone, as it can damage the screen and cause overheating.