The safest, most effective substitute for a phone screen cleaner is distilled water paired with a microfiber cloth. For disinfecting or removing stubborn grime, mix a 1:1 ratio of distilled water and 70% isopropyl alcohol.
To clean your phone screen safely and avoid damaging its protective coating:
If Apple Stores use Whoosh screen cleaner on ipad screens, why can't I use it? The Apple web site says we should only clean screens with water and a microfiber cloth, but the Whoosh screen cleaner web site says their products are used in Apple stores by Apple employees.
Follow these steps to safely clean your screen without causing streaks, scratches, or damage:
Yes, you can use alcohol wipes, but use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Avoid higher concentrations, harsh chemicals (like bleach or hydrogen peroxide), and avoid soaking the phone to prevent liquid damage.
The magic eraser cleaning sponge can be one of the most effective tools in buffing out any scratches. Just wet the sponge slightly and rub against any scratches. However, it works like sandpaper and can be abrasive so be gentle and use it at your own risk.
Avoid using paper towels or regular cloths, as they may scratch the screen. For stubborn stains, lightly dampen the cloth with water or a 50/50 mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol. Do not spray liquid directly on the screen. Wipe the screen in a circular motion and let it dry before turning the monitor back on.
The absolute best and most popular iPhone screen cleaner is WHOOSH! Screen Shine. It is alcohol-free, non-toxic, and is the official screen cleaner used by staff in all Apple Stores. For a deep clean including ports and speaker grilles, the iFixit Phone Cleaning Kit is highly recommended.
You can use a microfiber glasses cloth to safely wipe your screen, but you should generally avoid spraying liquid glasses cleaner on your iPhone. Liquids can strip the screen's oleophobic (oil-repellent) coating over time, causing fingerprints and smudges to stick much easier.
Use a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with soap and water. Don't spray cleaners directly onto the device. Avoid aerosol sprays and cleaning solutions that contain bleach or abrasives.
The 20-minute rule in cleaning (often combined with the 10-minute break as the 20/10 Rule) is a productivity method where you set a timer and clean as quickly and intensely as possible for 20 minutes. When the timer goes off, you immediately stop cleaning and take a mandatory 10-minute break.
Do not use window and kitchen cleaners, as they may damage the protective coating on your screen. Do not use rubbing alcohol, paper towels, compressed air, dish soap or vinegar. All of these can damage your phone: Paper towels can scratch your screen, and vinegar could damage its coating.
The safest, most accessible alternatives to commercial screen cleaners are distilled water and a 50/50 mix of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol. Always spray the liquid lightly onto a clean microfiber cloth, never directly onto the device, to prevent liquid from seeping inside and damaging delicate electronics.
The officially recommended and utilized screen cleaner by Apple is WHOOSH! Screen Shine. It is the product used by employees across all Apple Stores to clean display devices.
The iRoller is incredibly portable, easily fitting into your pocket or bag so you can take it anywhere you go. Plus, it's safe for all types of screens, leaving no residue behind and ensuring your devices remain in pristine condition without the risk of scratches or damage.
Apple does not recommend or endorse third-party cleaner apps for storage, as iOS is designed to be self-maintaining. Instead, optimize your device using native built-in iOS features or third-party apps, while using specific hardware-approved cleaners for the screen.
Do not ever use Clorox, Windex, or Lysol cleaning products on your electronic devices. Smartphone screens should only be cleaned with alcohol-based cleaners, such as lens cleaning wipes you would use to clean your eyeglasses. Another option would be to use a screen cleaner designed to be used on computer screens.
To make a safe and streak-free screen cleaner at home, simply mix equal parts distilled water and 70% isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle. This simple 50/50 mixture cuts through grease, fingerprints, and smudges without damaging sensitive electronic displays.
The best flat screen cleaner is often just distilled water paired with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. For tougher smudges, specialized kits like WHOOSH! Screen Shine, Screen Mom, or Endust for Electronics are excellent, ammonia-free options that lift fingerprints without stripping anti-glare coatings.
Never use spray cleaners on TVs or computer monitors because they can leave streaks or even damage the screen over time. A dry microfiber cloth does the trick.
Yes, baking soda can remove very minor or fine scratches from glass by acting as a mild abrasive to polish the surface. It works best on superficial surface imperfections, not deep scratches. The method involves creating a thick paste with equal parts baking soda and water, then gently rubbing it in circular motions with a microfiber cloth.
WD-40 doesn't actually repair scratches, but it is excellent at temporarily hiding very light surface marks and removing paint transfers (like when another car scrapes yours). It works by acting as a lubricant and temporarily filling in the scratch or dissolving the foreign paint.