It’s no secret that people in the modern world are seldom found without their smartphones. Many people feel proud of the shiny devices they carry, but the state of your cell phone will deteriorate if you don’t take the right steps.
So, how can you clean your smartphone and make it look like new? Join us as we explore a range of helpful tips and tricks that will make your phone feel fresh.
Cleaning a Smartphone Screen
It makes sense that a smartphone screen gets dirty: you touch it and keep it in your pocket all day. The occasional wipe on your sleeve will never restore your smartphone to its former glory, so you need a better way to clean your screen. You can choose from a couple of different options when you're cleaning a smartphone screen…
1) Using a Smartphone Screen Cleaning Solution
Loads of companies offer alcohol-based smartphone screen cleaners and kits online. This provides an easy way to clean your phone's glass display without risking damage, while also making it an easy job.
Kits like this usually come with a cleaning solution and a set of cloths. You can follow the instructions in your kit to get the best results for your smartphone. You can also use these methods to clean the cameras on your smartphone.
2) Making a DIY Smartphone Screen Cleaning Solution
If you'd rather avoid spending money, you can make your own smartphone screen cleaning solution with just two ingredients:
- Isopropyl Alcohol or Vinegar
- Distilled Water
Start by mixing a solution that is half distilled water and half isopropyl alcohol or vinegar. Apply a small amount of the solution to a microfiber cloth before gently rubbing the cloth on the phone's screen in a circular motion. This will leave your smartphone screen dazzlingly clean.
Removing Scratches From a Smartphone Screen
Whether your smartphone's screen is Gorilla Glass, Dragontail, or even sapphire, it won't take much to leave it with ugly scratches. You can remove scratches from a touchscreen using a range of different methods.
3) Using a Magic Eraser on Mild Phone Screen Scratches
Magic erasers can clean tricky stains from walls, floors, and other places around the home. But, did you know that they can also remove scratches from your smartphone's display? Gently rub your magic eraser in a circular motion on the scratches that you are removing until they disappear. This method will only work on light scratches.
4) Using Glass Polish to Remove Smartphone Scratches
For deeper scratches, products like cerium oxide glass polish can be a good choice. This type of polish usually comes in a powdered form that will need water to work properly.
You can follow the instructions that come with your glass polish, but you should also tape off sensitive parts of your device. This will stop the polish from getting into speaker ports and other important areas.
5) Protecting Your Smartphone From Scratches
Preventing scratches is always better than removing them. It makes sense, right? A screen protector is an affordable and easy way to keep your screen in perfect condition.
You will need to look for a screen protector that is compatible with the device you are using, but we have some handy tips to help choose the best tempered glass screen protector for your phone that you can read.
Repairing Minor Smartphone Screen Cracks
The tempered glass found on modern smartphone screens is incredibly strong and resilient. Despite this, it is also prone to cracking, especially when dropped onto hard surfaces. Replacing the screen on your smartphone isn't the only option you have when it gets cracked.
6) Using a Cracked Glass Repair Kit on Your Phone
Superglue is a common choice for cracked phone screen repairs, but this can get messy and leave your phone in a bad state. Using a proper cracked glass repair kit is a much better option.
You can find kits like this that have been specifically designed for smartphones, but you can also buy generic glass crack repair kits. Either will work for your smartphone as long as you follow the instructions in your kit.
Removing Dust From Smartphone Speakers and Microphones
Modern smartphones come equipped with several microphones and speakers. These components make it possible to consume entertainment and communicate with your device, but they can fill with dust.
7) Cleaning Phone Speaker & Mic Grills With a Toothbrush
Toothbrushes are great for cleaning the awkward areas found on your smartphone, making it easy to avoid causing accidental damage. You can brush the dust out of speaker and microphone grills with ease using your toothbrush. As long as you are gentle, you will notice the dust disappear with just a few passes, leaving your phone looking like new.
Removing Dust From Smartphone USB Ports and 3.5mm Headphone Ports
Next up, it's time to turn your attention to more dust, only this time you will be focusing on your phone's USB and 3.5mm headphone ports. Cleaning your phone's ports will make it feel like new, solving problems like loose chargers and poor audio quality. But how can you clean a smartphone headphone or USB port?
8) Using Compressed Air to Clean Phone USB and Headphone Ports
It makes sense to start with the safest option when you are cleaning the USB and headphone ports on your smartphone. Compressed air can remove dust without risking damage to your device, and it usually only takes a blast or two. Place the nozzle of your compressed air can into the ports you are cleaning, letting out short bursts of air to dislodge dust. This might not remove everything, but the next tip can help with that.
9) Cleaning USB & Headphone Port Dust With a Plastic Toothpick
Plastic toothpicks are thin and non-conductive, making them perfect for getting into the tight ports on your phone. You can insert your toothpick into the ports on your device and use it to hook clumps of dust without the risk of damage.
There are other issues that can impact the performance of your phone's USB charging port. Take a look at our guide to drying a smartphone charger port to learn more about DIY repairs like this.
Cleaning Stains From a Smartphone
Materials like aluminum and glass are commonly found on modern smartphones. While they might look great out of the box, your smartphone is likely to develop stains and other marks over time.
10) Cleaning Stains From Glass Smartphones
Cleaning stains from glass is easier than you might expect. Your screen cleaning solution from our first set of tips will be perfect for this job. With more and more smartphones coming with glass backs, it makes sense to have a cleaning solution on hand.
11) Cleaning Stains From Aluminum Smartphones
Aluminum is a little harder to clean. The oil on your hands breaks down the oxidized layer that forms on this material, leaving ugly stains that won't rub off. A mix that is half vinegar and half water can work as an effective aluminum polish, though you can also buy dedicated polish products for this.
Cleaning Your Smartphone and Making It Look Like New
Cleaning your smartphone is easy, but keeping it clean might be a bit harder. Have no fear, though: you can come back to these tips whenever you need to clean your devices. Now that your smartphone is clean, maybe it's time to start cleaning your laptop?