-----Original Message-----
From: viphone@googlegroups.com [mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
M. Taylor
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2020 11:14 PM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com
Subject: Your phone screen is gross. Here's how to clean I, cNet
Your phone screen is gross. Here's how to clean it These techniques are the
absolute best to keep your iPhone or Android screen smudge-free.
First Posted: August 31, 2019 6:00 AM PDT CNET editors pick the products &
services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may get a
commission.
Make sure you're cleaning your phone the right way.
Smudges and grime cling to your phone's screen. It's really disgusting, but
most of us have learned to live with the grease because keeping phone screens
clean is hard. Maybe you'll give it a cursory wipe on your jeans or the hem of
your shirt, but that won't really get the screen clean. The best approach isn't
hard, and will only cost you a few bucks.
On the flip side, there are the cleaning agents and techniques that you never
want to use, because -- although you might initially see good results
-- they can be too harsh and damage the screen you're working so hard to
protect.
We're going to tell you which products to avoid, and the best ways to clean off
fingerprint smudges, sand and lint from the ports, tenacious makeup off the
screen (hint: never with makeup remover) and even disinfect your phone after
contact with raw meat while you're cooking. We also tell you how to care for
phones rated for water-resistance.
Note that CNET may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products
featured on this page.
We're not here to shame you, but drop that bottle of Windex, stat. This is how
not to clean your screen.
Window cleaner
You clean your mirrors and windows with window cleaner, and they're squeaky
clean, so it must be OK to use on your phone? Wrong! Some newer phones, such as
the iPhone XR ( $749 at Amazon ), have a protective coating that resists water
and oil, which can wear out over time.
Using harsh cleaners can strip the coating and could leave your phone more
vulnerable to scratches. James LeBeau, an associate professor of materials
science and engineering at MIT, told us that any cleanser with an abrasive
agent will likely scratch the surface, so those should be avoided entirely.
Kitchen cleaners
A screen's scratch-resistant properties won't get ground down by cleaning
agents, but stripping that protective coating is still a problem. That's why
Apple also suggests not using household cleaning products to clean your iPhone.
Bar Keepers Friend, for example, states that its abrasive formula may harm the
protective layer. Bon Ami states not to use on glass with coatings.
Paper towels
They may be the go-to for cleaning your desk, but keep them away from your
phone. The paper can shred, making the debris on your phone much worse.
Paper towels can even end up leaving scratches on your screen.
Rubbing alcohol
Since many newer phones have a protective coating, rubbing alcohol can wear it
away quicker over time, causing your phone to be more prone to scratches.
Make sure to check for alcohol in product ingredients on any "safe to use"
phone screen cleaners. Apple says to avoid alcohol when cleaning its devices.
Makeup remover
Some makeup removers may have chemicals that can be harsh to an electronic
screen. LeBeau suggests avoiding makeup remover and instead use a soft cloth
with a little bit of water.
Compressed air
Your phone is delicate, so blowing an intense amount of air into its portals
can cause some damage, specifically to your mic. Tech companies, like Apple,
specifically warn not to use compressed air.
Dish soap and hand soap
While your dish and hand soaps may be gentle, the only way to use them is to
combine them with water. Most phone companies suggest to keep water away from
your phone, so again, stick to a damp cloth.
Vinegar
This is a no-no. Vinegar will strip the screen's coating. You could, as
Lifehacker suggests, use a very diluted vinegar to cleanse other parts of your
phone. Android Central suggests a 50/50 mix with distilled water for cleaning
the sides and back.
Disinfectant wipes
The warning label on these reminds you to wash your hands after each use, so
using them to clean something that touches your face often isn't a great idea.
According to MIT's LeBeau, these wipes typically contain alcohol that will
strip off the oleophobic (oil-repellant) and hydrophobic
(water-repellent) coatings.
How to clean fingerprint smudges from your screen Fingerprint smudges are hard
to prevent because your skin constantly produces oils. That means that every
time you pick up your phone, it's bound to get fingerprints all over it.
The safest and most effective way to clear your screen is with a microfiber
cloth. If the screen is in desperate need of cleaning, use distilled water to
dampen the microfiber cloth and then wipe down your screen -- avoid squirting
the water directly on the screen. This method can be used on the back and sides
of your phone, too.
You can also try Swipe Wipes, which you stick to the back of your phone and can
pop off when you need to give it a wipe-down.
Check out Samsung's tips on cleaning your phone, too.
Remove sand and lint with this trick
Lint and sand can get stuck in the small ports of your phone and in the
crevices where the screen meets the body.
The best solution for removing sand and lint is Scotch tape. You can lay it
along the creases and speaker, and roll it up and gently place it in the ports.
The tape's stickiness will pull out any lint or sand that may be stuck in your
phone.
For the smaller speaker holes that tape can't reach, use a toothpick or try to
vacuum the debris out with a small crevice tool. These tools can also be used
for other small appliances or hard-to-reach areas in your car.
Disinfect your phone from contact with raw meat If raw meat touches your phone
-- say if you're reading a recipe on your device -- you may immediately think
to clean it with alcohol, but as mentioned above, don't. It can strip the
oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings. Other sites suggest using a mix of alcohol
and water, but they have warning notes, so we suggest staying away from that to
be on the safe side.
Alcohol and detergent can damage your screen because they're so caustic.
Instead, use the (say it with me now) damp microfiber cloth, or invest in a UV
light, like PhoneSoap. This UV light company claims to kill 99.99% of germs and
banishes bacteria.
Remove makeup safely
When you have a full face of makeup and need to make a call, guess what that
foundation is about to stick to? That's right, your phone screen. And while you
may use makeup remover to take off your makeup every night, you shouldn't use
it as a screen cleaner due to some chemicals that could be lurking in the
ingredients. Organics.org explains the chemicals that could be in your makeup
remover.
Instead, you could get your phone its own makeup remover, like Whoosh. The
company claims it's safe for all screens and contains no alcohol, chlorine,
ammonia or phosphates that could damage the various screen coatings.
You can also use a damp microfiber cloth to clean it -- and then throw that
cloth in the wash. Make sure you use a spray bottle to spritz the cloth, rather
than running it under water. The less water, the better.
Can you wash waterproof phones?
If you have a water-resistant phone, rated for IP67 and above, you can rinse it
with water. Although these phones, like the iPhone 7 ( $170 at Walmart ) and
newer and the Galaxy S phones, can withstand submersion for up to 30 minutes in
up to 3 feet of water, it's a much better idea to use a damp or wet cloth to
clean your phone. Then dry your phone with a dry, soft cloth to remove the
water. Make sure to pat dry all speakers and ports.
Dunking the phone in water or running it under a faucet will get water into the
ports, which means you won't be able to charge it until they're dry, and that
can take time. Remember that having a water-resistant phone is more about peace
of mind than it is about purposely taking your phone for a swim.
Original Article at:
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/your-phone-screen-is-gross-heres-how-to-clean-it
/#ftag=CAD-09-10aai5b
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