An apple a day: How to disinfect an iPhone

Your Apple products are an important part of your life and can easily become dirty due to their constant use. From tips for achieving a clean iPhone ear speaker to the dos and don’ts of cleaning iPad screen or iPhone screen glass, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to cleaning and disinfecting your Apple products.

Key steps

• Dust your iPhone daily

• Remove stains or marks as soon as gently as you can.

• Store your iPhone in a place where it won’t get dirty or wet.

• Give your phone a thorough clean weekly to avoid a build-up of grease and grime.

• Don’t forget to clean the charging port and other parts too!

How to clean your iPhone speaker, charging port and other sections

iPhones are complex and they involve a few different parts, making it particularly important you adopt specific ways to clean each part. Below you can find our guide to cleaning each part of your iPhone or other Apple product.

How to clean an iPhone speaker

1. Wash your hands!

   The first, and possibly most important step when it comes to how to clean the speaker on an iPhone is to wash your hands. This will help you avoid transferring any grease or dirt to your phone.

2. Dry your hands...

   Dry your hands thoroughly afterwards using a clean towel.

3. Grab hold of these items:

   To achieve a perfectly clean iPhone speaker, you will need a few items. Have at the ready a soft toothbrush (a child’s toothbrush is the softest option), and a plain piece of white paper.

4. Use the toothbrush to gently brush the speaker port.

   Take care not to push down too hard or insert the bristles too far. You only need a light touch to dislodge dirt, dust and crumbs.

5. Shake it!

   Now the dirt is dislodged, gently shake your phone upside down over a piece of paper. This will allow you to not just see the dirt but catch it and throw it away.

How to clean an iPhone charging port

1. Follow guidelines...

   Apple advises against using compressed air or a toothpick, so avoid using these methods if you don’t want to invalidate your warranty.

2. Be gentle!

   The best option is to gently blow into the port to loosen any dirt or dust.

3. Speak to an expert.

   Be sure to speak to an expert who will be able to clean the iPhone charging port and ensure that you keep your precious iPhone in good working order and ready to use.

How to disinfect iPad screen and iPhone screen glass

1. Before you follow our steps for how to disinfect iPad and iPhone screens, inspect the screen and back casing for any cracks.

   Take care to ensure any you find are dealt with asap as these could become a portal for moisture and bacteria to get inside your phone.

2. Act quickly.

   Always clean any marks or grime off the glass and back as soon as possible, especially as it can come into contact with sand, lotions and make-up.

3. Unplug!

   Unplug any cables or headphones and turn off your phone.

4. Dampen a soft cloth.

   You can use a lint-free cloth, or a microfiber cloth such as one you use to clean your eyeglasses.

5. Be gentle.

   Use the soft, damp cloth to gently wipe the glass and back of your phone or tablet.

How to disinfect an Apple phone: The dos and don’ts

Before we show you our ultimate guide to Apple phone cleaning, there are a few important dos and don’ts you should be aware of.

• DO always turn off your iPhone before you clean and disinfect it.

• DO use a lint-free cloth dipped into some rubbing alcohol to remove any unwanted grease from the screen.

• DO ensure you clean the mouthpiece regularly with an antibacterial wipe as this can gather a lot of bacteria.

• DO always check the manufacturer’s guidelines for help and advice, especially if you iPhone or other Apple product is still within warranty.    

• DO pass you iPhone over to the experts if you have dirt and dust you can’t seem to shift.

• DON’T forget to clean the case too! The last thing you want is dirt, crumbs and other grime to get caught in your case and end up on or in your phone.

• DON’T let stains or marks sit, always clean them as soon as possible.

• DON’T use harsh cleaning products as they could damage the phone.

• DON’T add too much moisture to the phone, as this could seep inside and cause damage.   

• DON’T bend charging cables, as this could stop them working properly due to bending cables weakening the wires inside.

• DON’T use compressed air or scotch tape to remove grime, as this could result in more harm being caused.

• DON’T submerge your iPhone in any cleaning products.

With this comprehensive guide, you now have all the tips and tricks you need for how to disinfect an iPhone and ensure you have your special tech ready to use. For more general cleaning advice, check out our article on how to disinfect a phone.