Keeping your iPhone clean is key to keeping it running well, but you’ve got to follow the safety rules. Before cleaning, turn off the device, remove the case (which you can wash separately), and disconnect all cables. For the body and screen, use only a dry microfiber cloth, lightly dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol if necessary. Just don’t use household chemicals, paper towels, metal objects (needles, paper clips), or compressed air. Just gently brush off the dust from the speaker grilles and ports with a soft, dry brush or a wooden toothpick, and don’t press too hard.
The iPhone is always with you—in your pocket, in the kitchen, in the bathroom—so wiping it down with a T-shirt just won’t cut it. Sometimes, though, you’ve just got to give it a really good scrub. You’ve got to get in there and clean out all the dirt from the crevices, speaker grilles, and ports. And don’t forget to disinfect the device, report BGR.
Here’s how to get rid of dust and debris on your iPhone
First, turn off your phone, disconnect all the cables, and take off the case. Just clean the case and the iPhone itself separately.
Here’s how to clean the body and screen
Use a microfiber cloth or a soft, lint-free cloth (like the kind used for glasses). A dry cloth is usually enough, but for heavy dirt or disinfection, just dampen it with water or 70% isopropyl alcohol. Hey, just a heads-up: never spray liquid directly onto your phone. If a drop gets in, it could damage the electronics. Just don’t use glass cleaners, bleach, abrasive wipes, or paper towels—they can damage the screen coating. For plastic or silicone cases, just wash them with warm, soapy water, dry them off, and then put them back on. As for leather cases, just follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Keeping your ports and speakers clean
Ports and speaker grilles get dusty and collect lint. This can muffle the sound and cause poor charging contact. Use a soft, dry brush (like a soft toothbrush or a small electronics brush) to gently brush away dust around the port, microphones, and grilles. For really stubborn dirt, you can gently use a wooden or plastic toothpick without putting too much pressure or twisting. Don’t use metal objects like paper clips or needles to poke it, or you’ll damage the contacts.
Don’t use a can of compressed air because the strong stream can push dirt deeper or damage internal components.