Clean Your iPhone Screen

By Dan Hinckley

23674 responsesClean+Your+iPhone+Screen2010-05-20+14%3A36%3A58Dan+Hinckley. »

I’ll admit that I was a bit surprised when I initially did research into finding the best way to clean your iPad screen and found that it was highly recommended to not use cleaning products. I had previously thought that a window or screen cleaner would work great for cleaning an iPad screen or even for cleaning an iPhone screen.

One of the unfortunate downsides of “touch” interfaces is that the iPhone quickly gets covered with finger prints, oil smudges, and small smudges of dirt. But, cleaning the iPhone screen is easier than one may expect.

How To Clean Your iPhone Screen

Like the iPad, it is highly recommend by Apple to not use cleaning products on the iPhone screen. In particular, cleaning the iPhone 3GS screen should not use products like window cleaners, household cleaners, alcohol or aerosol sprays. Like the iPad, the iPhone 3GS screen is coated with a oleophobic coating that helps make the iPhone Screen Fingerprint proof. Using the previously mentioned cleaning products may damage the coating and increase the number of fingerprints on the glass.

To clean your iPhone Screen:

Turn off your iPhone
Make sure that is unplugged from any cables and electrical outlets
Use a soft, slightly damp cloth or a cleaning solution like SQUEEGiT but be sure to not let any water or moisture in any of the iPhone openings
Using a circular motion, wipe the iPhone screen until the oil and fingerprints are removed. Be sure that no dust or small rocks are on the screen

The iPhone is a heavily used device and can quickly become scratched or retain significant dirt. the iPhone Screen’s coating helps make it fingerprint proof, but it also makes those fingerprints more visible. This makes cleaning the iPhone Screen even more important.

Best Way to Keep Your iPhone Screen Clean

For me, the best way to clean iPhone and iPad screens is to use something that allows me to put a little bit of pressure on the screen to help get the stick gunk my three boys have left on it from their sticky fingers. I’ll be honest in that since I have received a SQUEEGiT I’ve used it exclusively to clean my 2 iPhones, 2 iPads, and many other electronic touch screens. In full disclosure, SQUEEGiT does advertise on this site and has provided me with a free SQUEEGiT to test out but that doesn’t impact my recommendation of the product. We receive a lot of screen protectors and cleaning solutions to review and by far this is the best one we’ve received. It’s quick, easy to use, and leaves your device clean and looking like any Apple Product should look. Check it out if you need a bit of extra cleaning assistance.

About Dan Hinckley

Dan Hinckley is an experienced Mac user who converted to Apple products when they introduced them on Intel Processors. He loves helping others get more out of their devices! Subscribe to Maciverse.com to get the latest from Dan and the Maciverse Team!! Find out more about Dan: Dan's Google Profile

23674 ResponsesClean+Your+iPhone+Screen2010-05-20+14%3A36%3A58Dan+Hinckley so far.

David Fields
May 20, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Personally, there is a better way, and using something like the Invisible Shield or any other applique honestly nullifies the advantage of having the oleophobic coating on the glass.
Take the time to go down to your local optometrist and purchase a simple lens-wiping cloth. I don't mean the alcohol-coated, sealed papers that leave wet smears on your glasses, I'm talking true lens cloths designed for keeping your glasses and photographic lenses clean. With no fluids of any kind, you can wipe all fingerprints off the face of your iPhone, iPad and yes, your glasses too. A single cloth should last the life of all three and probably won't even need to be cleaned unless you have very greasy fingers.
Cheaper, easier, and more efficient than any other method.
dan
May 20, 2010 at 10:27 pm
the lens wiping cloth would work. But without protective screens your phones will show wear and tear and are more likely to receive dents and scratches.
With the resell value of an iPhone, I personally want to keep mine in pristine condition.
John
March 15, 2011 at 9:02 pm
Dan,
I know this is an older post but still relevent please check out the product I developed MOBiLE CLOTH for this exact purpose and the reasons you list above…
Thanks John H.
iphone logic board
July 13, 2011 at 9:22 am
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