Ah, summer! A time of carefree days at the beach, salty waves, sand between your toes… and – unfortunately – also between the slots of your beloved phone. Yes, although modern phones can survive a lot, sand, salt and greasy sunscreens are about as kind to them as pineapple on pizza is to Italian chefs. So – how do you clean your smartphone?!
Research shows that mobile phones dirtier than public toilets. Yes, you read that right. Add to that the summer classics: salty sea, sand that gets everywhere, and greasy sunscreens, and you have a cocktail that your mobile pet will definitely not like. How to clean your smartphone? We're not saying it's the end of the world, but... if you don't take the right steps, your phone can quickly find itself in a situation similar to the disappointment of having a view of your neighbor's laundry in a hotel room instead of a view of the sea.
But all is not lost – follow the steps below and your phone will be as clean as a baby's face in no time.
The best solution is prevention (or how to avoid turning your phone into pickles)
Before you head to the beach, consider taking preventative measures. The cheapest solution, one that even field scientists (and extremely frugal travelers) love to use, is a simple plastic zip-lock bag. It will miraculously keep your screen responsive and your phone safe from sand, salt, and sunscreen.
However, if such a solution is too low-cost for you or you simply want to shine like an Instagram star on the beach, then invest in a quality waterproof bag or case.
Important warning: Never leave your cell phone in direct sunlight - overheating is about as bad for your battery as a January diet is for your holiday pounds.
But if prevention has already failed, follow the steps below for proper cleaning. So – how to clean your smartphone?!
Cleaning your phone in a few easy steps
Step 1: Turn off your phone!
Before you start cleaning, you MUST turn off your phone. A short circuit is about as much fun as missing an exit in the middle of the busiest summer traffic on the Primorska highway.
Step 2: Surface cleaning
First, clean the surface of your phone with a dry, soft microfiber cloth (like the kind you use for glasses). If your phone feels more greasy than a freshly baked pie, you can lightly dampen the cloth with distilled water. Never apply liquid directly to your phone, however – it is not a flower pot that needs to be watered directly.
Step 3: Disinfect – but wisely
Manufacturers like Apple and Samsung now approve the use of disinfectant wipes that contain 70% isopropyl alcohol. But be careful! If you overdo it with the alcohol, you can eventually destroy the oleophobic screen protection. And then instead of a smooth screen, you'll have a real fingerprint magnet - almost as effective as a crime lab.
Step 4: Sand – the nightmare of phone openings
Sand in openings (like USB ports, speakers or microphones) can be a disaster. The popular “compressed air” recipe is out of the question this time – you could push the sand even deeper into the device, which would be worse than sand in a swimsuit. Instead, use duct tape – press it carefully against the openings and the sand will stick to it like a tourist sticks to ice cream on a hot August day. For really hard-to-reach places, a soft, dry toothbrush – new, of course, without toothpaste – comes in handy.
Step 5: Stubborn salt and greasy creams – for the most stubborn stains
If a damp microfiber cloth is not enough to remove stubborn sunscreen or salt stains, use a special screen cleaner. As we have already emphasized, always apply the cleaner to the cloth, never directly to the device.
However, if your phone has accidentally experienced unpleasant close contact with seawater (it happens to even the best of us), wipe it down as soon as possible with a cloth lightly dampened with fresh water. This will neutralize the corrosive effects of the salt, then dry the phone thoroughly.
Conclusion – How to clean your smartphone
Remember: it's best to prevent problems in the first place. With proper protection and proper cleaning methods, your phone will make it through the summer without scratches – or at least without any bigger scratches than you would get after a summer vacation on a crowded beach.
Follow these tips and your mobile companion will remain stylish, fresh and clean even after your vacation – not greasy, tired and nostalgically sad like a tourist on the ferry home.
We wish you a fun holiday and your phone as few close encounters with sea salt and stubborn grains of sand as possible!
