How to Clean Your Phone Screen

Last Updated: July 21, 2021 References

Phone screen technology has improved in the past few years, and most modern phones are fairly resistant to scratches and water damage. Even so, it's best to start with gentle cleaners, especially for regular maintenance. Even screen-cleaning liquids (or the easy, homemade alternatives) are best used only when necessary, as they will slowly wear out the anti-fingerprint coating.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Light Cleaning

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 got a free microfiber cloth when you bought your last pair.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Alicia Sokolowski
Green Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.}
- The next best substitute is a soft, 100% cotton cloth or T-shirt. Do not use a screen-printed area, or a cloth that has been washed or dried with fabric softener.^{[2]
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- 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.^{[3]
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2
Turn off your phone. This makes it easier to see the grime, although navigating to a bright white page might do a better job in a dimly lit room. If you end up needing to use water, always turn your phone off to reduce the chance of a short circuit.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Alicia Sokolowski
Green Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.}

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3
Wipe gently across the screen. Rub the dry microfiber cloth across your 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.^{[5]
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4
Dampen the cloth with distilled water. If your phone screen is still dirty, dampen one corner of the cloth with a little water. Distilled water is ideal, especially if you clean your screen often. Tap water contains minerals that can leave a white residue on your screen.^{[6]
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- If you can squeeze water out of the cloth, it's too wet. All you want is a lightly damp corner. Spritzing the cloth with a spray bottle is one way to get there.
5
Wipe again. Wipe with the damp corner of cloth in the same way, straight across the screen. If there's a stubborn patch of grime, rub in small circles until it breaks down.^{[7]
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6
Let the screen dry. 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 hard. Leave the phone in a room with good air circulation to finish air drying before you turn it on.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Heavy-Duty Cleaning

1
Mix equal parts of 70% isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. Many smartphone manufacturers warn you not to use alcohol, since overuse will eventually wear out the oleophobic coating that protects your screen from fingerprints and scratches.^{[9]
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Research source} That said, diluted alcohol rarely causes issues if you use it once or twice, and there are no good alternatives for heavy-duty cleaning. Most commercial screen-cleaning products are essentially the same as this homemade mixture.
- You can substitute white vinegar for the alcohol (and still dilute it in water), but this can also damage the screen coating.^{[10]
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2
Turn off your phone and take out the battery. Minimize the chance of damage by leaving your phone powered down until it is completely dry.
3
Rub the cleaner on with a damp, soft cloth. A clean microfiber cloth is ideal, but lint-free, 100% cotton will work as well. Lightly dampen a corner of the cloth with isopropyl alcohol, then apply across the screen with gentle wipes in the same direction.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Mobile Kangaroo
Computer Repair Specialists
Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.} If the screen is still dirty, rub the dirty areas in small circles. Do not press down hard on the screen. Finish wiping the screen off with a dry corner of the cloth.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Mobile Kangaroo
Computer Repair Specialists
Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.}
4
Attach a screen protector. Once your screen is clean, consider attaching a screen protector over 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 model of phone (or with capacitive screens).
5
Restore a smudged screen with an oleophobic coating kit. If a small drop of water forms a ball on your screen, the protective coating is still 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.^{[14]
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- 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.
6
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 risk of damaging your phone. Sanitizers designed for phones have only reached the market in the past few years, so expect them to get cheaper over time.

Expert Q&A

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.

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.^{[16]
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