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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Computers and Electronics
Telephones
Cell Phones
Cell Phone Maintenance
How to Clean Your Phone Screen the Right Way Download Article Learn the best ways to keep your Android or iPhone's touchscreen clean and protected Co-authored by Alicia Sokolowski and Rain Kengly
Last Updated: December 3, 2025 Fact Checked
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Heavy-Duty Cleaning & Disinfecting
|
Light Cleaning
|
Keeping Your Screen Protected
|
Video
|
Expert Q&A
|
Tips
|
Warnings
|
Things You'll Need
|Show more|Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X
This article was co-authored by Alicia Sokolowski and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Alicia Sokolowski is a Green Cleaning Specialist and the President and co-CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company in Vancouver, British Columbia. With over 2 decades of experience, Alicia specializes in creating a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products and services. AspenClean develops and manufactures its own line of 100% Natural, EcoCert® certified, and EWG verified™ cleaning products. AspenClean’s glass cleaner was voted Parent’s Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents’ magazine. Alicia holds a CPA designation and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Finance from the University of Toronto. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 89,238 times.
With how often we use our phones, it's important to disinfect and clean them often to keep our devices and ourselves healthy. To sanitize, you can use alcohol wipes as long as they are 70% isopropyl alcohol or 75% ethyl alcohol. A microfiber cloth and some water does well for light cleaning. Here's how to clean your phone screen properly and safely.
Things You Should Know
If your phone screen is sticky, use a lint-free cloth with a small amount of water or isopropyl alcohol solution to clean it.
For everyday cleaning, use a microfiber cloth to wipe in one direction. Avoid wiping it circles or too hard.
Don't use scratchy materials or cloths that leave dusty residue, like paper towels or tissues.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Heavy-Duty Cleaning & Disinfecting
Download Article
1 Turn off your phone. This reduces the chance of damaging your device and may make it easier to see grease and grime on your phone screen.[1]X Expert Source Alicia SokolowskiGreen Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview
Be sure it's unplugged from any external power sources, cables, and devices.
2 Get 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes or disinfecting wipes. It's crucial to use the correct alcohol percentage; using a higher percentage can damage the coating on your phone.
If you purchase phone wipes, they can be 75% ethyl alcohol.[2]XResearch source
If you don't have wipes, you can mix equal parts 70% isopropyl alcohol and distilled water to create a solution. Dip a lint-free cloth in the mixture so it's slightly damp.
These guidelines are used by Apple, Samsung, and Google. Be sure to consult your device's user guide if you're unsure.
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3 Wipe your phone screen. Make sure to avoid any openings, such as the charging port and speakers. If you're using a disinfecting wipe or phone wipe, you may need to squeeze the excess liquid from the wipe beforehand.
If you have a case on, remove it to wipe the other surfaces of your phone. You can also wipe down the phone case.
4 Wait for the phone to dry. This should be quick if you used the correct alcohol percentage. Once it's dry, you can put the phone case back on.
Make sure you disinfect your phone often; this can help prevent getting sick.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Light Cleaning
Download Article
1 Get a microfiber cloth. This extra-soft, lint-free cloth cleans glass and plastic without scratching the surface. You can buy one at stores that sell computers, phones, or cameras. If you wear eyeglasses, you might have received a free microfiber cloth when you bought your last pair.[3]X Expert Source Alicia SokolowskiGreen Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview
Do not use paper towels, tissues, or rough cloths. These can scratch away the oleophobic (greaseproof) coating on your screen, or even scratch the glass itself on some models.
If you often find fingerprints and smudges on your phone screen, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.
2 Wipe gently across the screen in one direction. This sweeps dust off your screen instead of grinding it in. Use a light touch, since pressing too hard can damage your screen.
Avoid excess wiping—this may cause damage to your screen.
3 Use a slightly damp cloth for stubborn spots. Dampen the corner of your microfiber cloth with a bit of water or a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol. Distilled water is ideal, especially if you clean your screen often. Tap water contains minerals that can leave a white residue on your screen.
Never spray liquid or other cleaning products onto the phone itself. Spray the cloth, if needed.
4 Let the screen dry. You can gently wipe the screen with the dry part of the microfiber cloth, but don't try to pick up all the excess water if it means pressing too hard. It should air-dry fairly quickly.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Keeping Your Screen Protected
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1 Attach a screen protector. Once your screen is clean, consider attaching a screen protector to your phone. If you can't do this immediately after cleaning, pick up dust from your screen first with a clean sticky note, weak tape, or other mild adhesive.
If you can't use your touchscreen while wearing gloves, some screen protectors will block the touch technology as well. Ask a store employee for a screen protector that works with your phone model (or with capacitive screens).
2 Restore a smudged screen with an oleophobic coating kit. If a small drop of water forms a ball on your screen, the protective coating remains intact. If it smears across your screen, the coating is damaged (or you never had one to begin with).
You can buy an oleophobic coating kit to re-apply this coating to your phone screen, following the kit instructions. This won't last as long as the factory-applied version, but one kit might be enough for several applications.
Typically, you need to apply this product with a tissue. Spread it across the screen quickly, since it evaporates within a few seconds. Once the whole screen is coated, you may need to let it dry for several hours, then buff out excess streaky material using a microfiber cloth.
3 Look into UV-C sanitizers. Short for "Ultraviolet type C," these devices kill bacteria on your phone surface by bathing them in ultraviolet light. This will not remove grime from your screen, but it may be the only way to sanitize it without the risk of damaging your phone.
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Expert Q&A
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Question How can I clean my phone screen without scratching it? Mobile Kangaroo Computer & Phone Repair Specialists Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities. Mobile Kangaroo Computer & Phone Repair Specialists Expert Answer You can buy cleaning wipes that are specifically designed for phone screens. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 9
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Video
Tips
Almost all phones use one of two touchscreen types: resistive or capacitive. If you can use your touchscreen while wearing thick gloves, it is resistive; if not, it is capacitive. Most resistive screens have a thin plastic layer on the surface, which can be ruined permanently if scratched. Capacitive screens still benefit from gentle cleaners, but their hard glass surface can handle an emergency clean with a rougher cloth. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Clean your microfiber cloth after a few uses or when it looks dirty. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
Buy a phone cover for your phone to protect it from daily household dust.
If your screen is cracked, avoid using a damp or slightly moist cloth.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Do not use any liquid not mentioned in this article unless it's a specialized screen-cleaning product. Even with allowed liquids, only apply using a slightly damp cloth, not by spraying directly on the screen. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need
Soft, lint-free cloth (preferably microfiber)
Water
70% Isopropyl alcohol
You Might Also Like
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References
↑ Alicia Sokolowski. Green Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview
↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172
↑ Alicia Sokolowski. Green Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview
About This Article
Co-authored by: Alicia Sokolowski Cleaning Specialist This article was co-authored by Alicia Sokolowski and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Alicia Sokolowski is a Green Cleaning Specialist and the President and co-CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company in Vancouver, British Columbia. With over 2 decades of experience, Alicia specializes in creating a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products and services. AspenClean develops and manufactures its own line of 100% Natural, EcoCert® certified, and EWG verified™ cleaning products. AspenClean’s glass cleaner was voted Parent’s Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents’ magazine. Alicia holds a CPA designation and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Finance from the University of Toronto. This article has been viewed 89,238 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 15Updated: December 3, 2025 Views: 89,238 Categories: Cell Phone Maintenance In other languages Spanish Japanese
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Reader Success Stories
Anonymous
Sep 9, 2017
"The specific tips for various screens needing cleaning without damaging the screen and or keyboard helped. "
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Alicia Sokolowski Cleaning Specialist Click a star to vote Co-authors: 15Updated: December 3, 2025 Views: 89,238
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Sep 9, 2017
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Download Article Learn the best ways to keep your Android or iPhone's touchscreen clean and protected Co-authored by Alicia Sokolowski and Rain Kengly 
How to Clean and Maintain an iPad Screen 
How toClean a MacBook Air Screen 
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Co-authored by: Alicia Sokolowski Cleaning Specialist This article was co-authored by Alicia Sokolowski and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Alicia Sokolowski is a Green Cleaning Specialist and the President and co-CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company in Vancouver, British Columbia. With over 2 decades of experience, Alicia specializes in creating a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products and services. AspenClean develops and manufactures its own line of 100% Natural, EcoCert® certified, and EWG verified™ cleaning products. AspenClean’s glass cleaner was voted Parent’s Green Pick 2020 by readers of the Parents’ magazine. Alicia holds a CPA designation and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Finance from the University of Toronto. This article has been viewed 89,238 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 15 Updated: December 3, 2025 Views: 89,238 Categories: Cell Phone Maintenance In other languages Spanish Japanese 
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1 Turn off your phone. This reduces the chance of damaging your device and may make it easier to see grease and grime on your phone screen.[1] 
2 Get 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes or disinfecting wipes. It's crucial to use the correct alcohol percentage; using a higher percentage can damage the coating on your phone. 
3 Wipe your phone screen. Make sure to avoid any openings, such as the charging port and speakers. If you're using a disinfecting wipe or phone wipe, you may need to squeeze the excess liquid from the wipe beforehand. 
4 Wait for the phone to dry. This should be quick if you used the correct alcohol percentage. Once it's dry, you can put the phone case back on. 
1 Get a microfiber cloth. This extra-soft, lint-free cloth cleans glass and plastic without scratching the surface. You can buy one at stores that sell computers, phones, or cameras. If you wear eyeglasses, you might have received a free microfiber cloth when you bought your last pair.[3] 
2 Wipe gently across the screen in one direction. This sweeps dust off your screen instead of grinding it in. Use a light touch, since pressing too hard can damage your screen. 
3 Use a slightly damp cloth for stubborn spots. Dampen the corner of your microfiber cloth with a bit of water or a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol. Distilled water is ideal, especially if you clean your screen often. Tap water contains minerals that can leave a white residue on your screen. 
4 Let the screen dry. You can gently wipe the screen with the dry part of the microfiber cloth, but don't try to pick up all the excess water if it means pressing too hard. It should air-dry fairly quickly. Advertisement 
1 Attach a screen protector. Once your screen is clean, consider attaching a screen protector to your phone. If you can't do this immediately after cleaning, pick up dust from your screen first with a clean sticky note, weak tape, or other mild adhesive. 
2 Restore a smudged screen with an oleophobic coating kit. If a small drop of water forms a ball on your screen, the protective coating remains intact. If it smears across your screen, the coating is damaged (or you never had one to begin with). 
3 Look into UV-C sanitizers. Short for "Ultraviolet type C," these devices kill bacteria on your phone surface by bathing them in ultraviolet light. This will not remove grime from your screen, but it may be the only way to sanitize it without the risk of damaging your phone. Advertisement 
Mobile Kangaroo Computer & Phone Repair Specialists Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities. 