Are you wondering, how to clean my phone? This guide holds all the answers

Why you can trust this guide 

Back Market is a leading marketplace for refurbished tech, backed by hundreds of professional vendors and strict quality standards. In fact, Back Market is BBB Accredited (A+ rating) and is a certified B Corp, meaning it meets high standards of accountability and sustainability. We’ve been featured in Wired, Business Insider, and other tech media for leading the charge when it comes to refurbished devices. 

Back Market also enforces rigorous quality control, so every device must be “properly repaired, refurbished, cleaned and tested” before sale. For peace of mind, you also get a 1-year warranty and free 30-day returns on all purchases. Our Verified Refurbished criteria guarantees that you receive a device in good condition. We strive to meet rigorous quality standards and provide tech-savvy support. Behind this guide are smartphone experts who test and clean devices daily, so you can be confident that this advice is grounded in hands-on experience. 

Our team is focused on making tech reliable, accessible, and sustainable. We also partner with certified third-party refurbishers and repair experts to keep devices running for 5+ years. So yes, we know a thing or two about maintaining phones. Our guidelines align with official manufacturer advice and we’ve distilled them into easy steps for you to follow when cleaning your phone below. 

Regular cleaning keeps your phone germ-free, functional, and looking great. Combined with our refurbishing standards and repair tips, it helps extend your device’s life, save money, and reduce e-waste. 

Materials needed for cleaning 

You’ll need to gather your simple toolkit before you start. The good news is that you probably already have most of these items at home: 

• Soft microfiber cloth: Use a soft, lint-free cloth or a soft eyeglass lens cloth. This will wipe away dirt without scratching the glass. 

• Isopropyl alcohol (70%): A small bottle of 70% isopropyl alcohol or alcohol wipes can be used to disinfect the exterior surfaces. Don’t use undiluted alcohol, only 70% or less. 

• Distilled water: Tap water can leave mineral streaks, so use distilled or filtered water when dampening the cloth. 

• Cotton swabs (Q-tips) and soft brush: Use these for small crevices like speaker holes or buttons. A soft-bristled toothbrush or camera lens brush works just as well. 

• Compressed air or bulb syringe: An air duster (canned air) or a manual rubber bulb syringe helps blow dust from ports and speakers. Our experts recommend these for cleaning your ports. Do not use high-pressure blasts directly on the screen. 

• Wooden or plastic toothpicks: Use a wooden toothpick to gently loosen stubborn lint in the charging port. Never use metal objects that could short the port. 

• Cleaning wipes: You can use commercially available phone cleaning wipes (with ≤70% alcohol) for extra convenience. Make sure any wipe is alcohol-based and labelled safe for electronics. 

Don’t use any bleach, ammonia, or abrasive cleaners on your phone. Always power off the phone and unplug it before cleaning. 

Cleaning the phone’s screen 

 The first order of business is to clean the phone’s screen. Just follow these steps for a streak-free display:   

1. Power off and unplug: Always turn off your phone and unplug any cables before cleaning. Remove the case or any screen protector if present. 

2. Dry wipe: Gently wipe the screen with the dry microfiber cloth. Start from the centre and wipe outwards in one direction (horizontal or vertical) to lift dust and fingerprints. This avoids swirling scratches. 

3. Dampen a corner: For stubborn smudges, lightly dampen one corner of the cloth with water only (no soaps or household cleaners). Wring it out so it’s just slightly moist. 

4. Wipe and dry: Gently wipe the screen with the damp corner, then immediately follow with the dry part of the cloth to remove any moisture. 

5. Avoid harsh chemicals: Never use bleach, ammonia, or undiluted alcohol on the screen. Don’t spray liquid onto the phone, either – rather spray or dampen the cloth instead. 

6. Disinfect (optional): If you want to disinfect your screen, use a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or solution on hard surfaces. Manufacturers explicitly permit a 70% isopropyl solution or a 75% alcohol wipe on exterior surfaces of iPhones and Androids. Simply wipe the screen once, then dry it. Do not reuse the disinfectant wipe to re-clean – allow it to evaporate. 

7. Final polish: Give the screen one last dry buff with the cloth to remove streaks. Your screen should look crystal clear now – like shining glass. 

 No matter what you do, avoid compressed air on the screen and be careful not to get moisture near openings. 

Cleaning the charging port  

Even a tiny bit of lint in the charging port can prevent charging. Here’s how to clear it safely:  

• Power off the phone: This is important! Turn off your device first to prevent damage. 

• Blow out dust: Use a short burst from a can of compressed air or a rubber bulb syringe into the port. This loosens dust and debris. Keep the can upright to avoid liquid propellant from spraying out. 

• Check and repeat: Turn the phone back on and try charging. If it’s still not working, power it off again. 

• Scrape gently with a toothpick: Under bright light, use a wooden or plastic toothpick (never use metal) to carefully scrape out any remaining lint or fibres. Do not jab or bend the port’s pins. Work slowly to avoid damaging the pins. 

• Blow again: Blow another burst of air into the port to clear the loosened debris. The goal is to restore a clear path for the charging cable. 

• iPhone (Lightning port) specifics: For iPhones, Apple recommends cleaning the Lightning connector with a dry, lint-free cloth only – no liquids. If the port is very dirty, you can still blow air first and then use the cloth to wipe around the Lightning contacts. 

• Android (USB-C port) specifics: For Android phones (USB-C ports), follow the same steps: turn the phone off, blow air into the port, then gently scrape with a toothpick if needed. The Asurion experts note that for Samsung Galaxy and Pixel phones, the steps are identical – compressed air, then toothpick. 

• Avoid liquids and brushes: Never insert metal or sharp tools into charging ports. Don’t pour any liquids into the port and avoid damp cloths in or around the port. If moisture accidentally gets inside, let it dry completely before powering the phone back on. 

Cleaning the speaker and other parts  

Let’s move on to the other parts of the phone:  

• Phone speaker: Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth or a dry cotton swab. Gently wipe the speaker grills and openings. For stuck-on dust, a soft-bristle brush (like a clean toothbrush) can help. Do not use compressed air on speakers – it can push dust deeper into the speakers. Asurion experts advise against using liquids or air on speakers at all; just wipe them clean. 

• Microphone and headphone jack (if present): Similar to the charging port, you can use a wooden or plastic toothpick or compressed air to clear dust from headphone jacks or mic holes. Just be very gentle. 

• Body and buttons: Wipe the rest of the phone’s body with the cloth and isopropyl solution. Pay special attention to the back camera lens – wipe it clean gently so your photos stay sharp. Physical buttons (power, volume) can be cleaned with a cotton swab, as well. 

• Keyboards or covers: If you have a detachable keyboard cover or case, remove it and clean it separately with soap and water (and let it dry completely). Don’t use those cleaners on your phone itself. Only reattach these accessories to your phone once they’re completely dry.  

Always be gentle and patient when cleaning your phone. A clean phone, free of grime, will have clearer audio, better charging, and a germ-free surface. 

Explore the benefits of refurbished devices 

Buying refurbished isn’t just wallet-friendly; it’s also a smart choice for the planet. We at Back Market show that buying refurbished can have a big impact. The devices sold on our platform have prevented over 1 million tons of CO₂ emissions from manufacturing that would have been needed to make new devices. 

Refurbished phones often perform just as well as their new counterparts. On Back Market, devices are guaranteed to have premium functionality for a much lower cost compared to brand-new models. For example, a refurbished iPhone 15 (128GB) can sell for about £417 instead of the £699 retail price. Likewise, a new Galaxy S23 costs £831.51, but its refurbished price starts around £269. Those are huge savings, allowing you to save that money or spend it on protective cases, apps, or even your next device. 

And we back up our quality claims. Every purchase from us comes with free shipping, a 12-month warranty, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. We only work with professional refurbishers who meet strict criteria. If a device is found to be defective or doesn’t match the description, Back Market even offers free returns. That means you get high-end phone performance at a bargain price as well as peace of mind. 

Choosing a refurbished phone also keeps electronics out of landfills and cuts down on resource use. The longer a device is used, the lower its environmental footprint.  Reusing technology means preventing millions of tons of carbon emissions. So, by cleaning and maintaining your phone, you help keep it going strong even longer. It’s a win-win for both your budget and the planet. 

Back Market Trade-in offer  

If it’s time for an upgrade, don’t toss your old phone! It’s better to trade it in at Back Market. We’ll give you a cash offer based on the condition of your device. In fact, we offer up to £600 for iPhones and up to £500 for other popular phones. It’s also fast and free to do: just find your model on the Back Market trade-in page, answer a few questions about your device, and ship it in for free. You’ll get money back in your bank account, which you can use towards a clean, refurbished replacement from our marketplace. 

Our trade-in program makes going refurbished even more attractive. You recycle your old tech responsibly and earn credit to put towards your next phone. Visit the Back Market Trade-In Page to get your offer now. It’s an easy way to offset the cost of a refurbished device while also helping the planet. 

New vs refurbished: price comparison  

Below are examples of prices for four popular phones to illustrate the savings you can get when buying at Back Market. 

These figures show that refurbished options often cost 60% to 70% less than the original price.  

Final thoughts 

Having a regular cleaning routine is like giving your phone a spa day. It removes germs, keeps the screen clear, and prevents charging issues. By following the simple steps above, like using a microfiber cloth, safe cleaners, and a little gentle dusting, you can clean your phone effectively without risk. Remember to always power off your phone first, avoid harsh chemicals, and be extra gentle with ports and speakers. 

Choosing refurbished devices increases the benefits. With Back Market’s guarantees and our handy repair tips, you extend your phone’s life and save big time. Clean and well-cared-for electronics last longer, saving you money and reducing e-waste. So, wipe away the smudges, unlint that port, and keep your phone running longer. And when it’s time for an upgrade, trade in your old device safely and check out Back Market’s top-quality refurbished options.