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This might not occur to you, but phones are actually incredibly dirty devices. In fact, scientists at the University of Arizona have found that cell phones can contain up to 10 times more bacteria than a regular toilet seat. Just hearing that made you probably want to deep clean your iPhone or ask about how often you should disinfect it. But before you start scrubbing, know that some cleaning methods can do more harm than good.
Using harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, or high-concentration alcohol (or disinfecting wipes that contain them) can damage your phone or screen protector over time. The problem lies in the oleophobic coating applied to almost all modern cell phone screens and protectors. This oleophobic coating repels oil, including skin oils from your fingertips, to keep your screen clean. We do not recommend purchasing a screen protector that does not have this coating. Harsh chemicals and other abrasives can erode this coating over time, making your phone more vulnerable to stains and streaks.
How should I clean my phone?
So, which wipes are safe to use on touchscreens? Official guidelines from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) state that any wipes containing alcohol, bleach, or vinegar may damage your device’s screen. The same page states that if you still use alcohol wipes, they must contain at least 70% alcohol. It would be safer to just use a microfiber cloth with a little soap and water, as there is no risk of damaging your screen. If you use cleaning alcohol, be sure to apply it only to the cloth and never directly to your device.
A much safer, but still extremely effective, cleaning method is to use ultraviolet (UV) light. Manufacturers like Phone Soap sell lightweight sanitizing boxes that you can place a smartphone in and bathe it in UV light, effectively killing 99.99% of germs. These machines actually work, but you need to make sure you use a reputable machine that emits the correct wavelength of UV light. To ensure your phone is clean, we suggest using a microfiber cloth as described above to remove any smudges or other imperfections, then using a UV device to fully disinfect it, without any risk to the oleophobic coating on your screen.
