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Get this: Your smartphone is dirtier than a toilet seat. Sure, many of the germs found on your phone could be harmless. But in a study published in 2023, researchers found that a whopping 92% of cell phones carried illness-causing bacteria like strep and E. coli. If you’re anything like us, that fact alone makes a good case for learning how to clean your phone screen—and making it a regular part of your cleaning schedule. Digital Camera Card
If you want to be extra thorough at removing germs and bacteria from your smartphone, you’re in the right place. We asked microbiologist Charles Gerba, PhD, and cleaning expert Jessica Ek to share the scoop on how to properly disinfect your iPhone or Android, which products you should use, how often you should clean your device and more.
So grab your phone and crank up the cleaning tunes because you’re about to perfect the art of removing germs and bacteria from your trusty device.
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As a microbiologist, Gerba knows just how germy phones can be (read: very, very germy), so he recommends at least daily cleanings. Some experts even recommend cleaning it every time you return home. Luckily, the process is quick, and you can use a simple item you probably already have at home. Read on to find out how to clean your phone screen of bacteria and other germs.
The average smartphone screen carries more than 10,000 types of bacteria, so you may want to go beyond daily wipe-downs. The good news: You don’t need a fancy phone sanitizer to get the job done. When your phone needs more than a quick cleaning, it’s time to pull out the disinfectant.
In Apple’s guidelines for cleaning iPhones, disinfectants like Clorox wipes are considered safe to use. If you have an Android smartphone, on-the-go Clorox wipes, Lysol wipes and other Lysol products are recommended for sanitizing many electronics, including smartphones and glass-display computer screens.
Wondering how to clean your phone screen without doing major damage? Make sure to wring out any excess liquid and gently wipe down the exterior surfaces if cleaning your phone with Clorox wipes or Lysol wipes. Avoid getting liquid in any openings—it could seep into your device and damage it.
Alcohol wipes are approved by Apple’s experts for cleaning iPhones. For the best germ-busting results, the company recommends using alcohol pads with 70% isopropyl or 75% ethyl alcohol. Like Clorox wipes, alcohol wipes should be used only on outside surfaces to avoid damaging your phone. If you’re looking for something slightly milder, alcohol-based lens wipes are also a good option.
Don’t have an iPhone? Gerba says you can use alcohol wipes on any type of smartphone, including Android phones.
Hand sanitizer contains fragrances and rubbing alcohol that could harm your smartphone, so it’s best to avoid using it as a phone disinfectant.
Another thing you’re doing that iPhone experts wouldn’t: using heavy-duty household cleaners, including window cleaners like Windex, hydrogen peroxide or bleach, to clean your device. That’s a big no-no. These products have harsh chemicals that could damage your phone’s screen coating, says Ek. When in doubt, she recommends checking the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper care guidelines.
You should be able to use any antibacterial wipe to clean your phone, whether it’s an Apple or Android device, according to Ek. Just one caveat: Make sure the phone is turned off before you wipe it down, and wait for it to fully dry before turning it on again.
Experts unanimously advise against using Windex on your phone. Windex contains ammonia, a harsh chemical that can cause damage to your phone’s touch-screen coating and LCD display over time.
Gerba recommends wiping down your iPhone or Android device with a microfiber cloth every day. If wiping down your phone daily sounds unrealistic, remember just how germy phones can be.
“We have found that the germiest phones are those of teenagers and cooks in restaurants,” Gerba says. But even if you don’t fall into one of those two categories, you’re not in the clear. “Phones are germ mobile devices,” he says. “You are putting germs on the phones and taking them off all day.”
At the very least, you should give your phone a good cleaning twice a week, according to Ek.
Learning how to clean a phone screen is a good start, but you’ll also want to take steps to keep your phone clean and bacteria free during the day. Our experts offered up some genius tips that anyone can follow.
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, Brooke Nelson tapped her experience as a seasoned tech reporter and interviewed experts in microbiology and cleaning to ensure all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. W e relied on reputable primary sources, including Apple, Lysol and academic journals. We verified all facts and data and backed them with credible sourcing, and we will revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
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