70% isopropyl alcohol wipe: Apple, Samsung, and Google all recommend using isopropyl alcohol–based cleaning wipes on their devices.
You CAN use an alcohol wipe to disinfect your iPhone and Apple devices (such as Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Lysol Disinfectant Wipes or other wipes) in which isopropyl alcohol is at least 70 percent. Using the alcohol disinfectant wipe, gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your iPhone or device. NEVER USE BLEACH.
Before you begin, turn your phone off and disconnect it from your charger. If you don't have disinfectant wipes, you can spray an alcohol-based based (70% isopropyl) solution on a soft, lint-free cloth and then gently wipe down your device. Just be sure that you don't saturate the cloth.
Most household antibacterial wipes and disinfectants are actually super abrasive and can damage or scratch your phone. Disinfecting wipes are effective at killing germs, but if they're not specifically designed to clean phones, they can corrode and remove the protective coating on the glass screen.
Wipes that contain 70% isopropyl alcohol are effective at killing germs and bacteria, yet gentle enough to use on most electronic devices.
Although Lysol wipes are safe to use on electronics, you should always check your electronic use instructions for cleaning before using wipes.
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. Keep liquids and moisture away from any openings on the device.
70% isopropyl alcohol wipe: Apple, Samsung, and Google all recommend using isopropyl alcohol–based cleaning wipes on their devices. Apple also says you can use 75% ethyl alcohol wipes or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes.
Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the exterior surfaces of your iPhone. Don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don't submerge your iPhone in any cleaning agents.
Wipe the phone down with a damp, microfibre, or lint-free cloth and follow with some disinfectant wipes. Allow it to air dry. Rinse the case, cool water, and let the air dry completely before putting the case back on your phone.
Experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute recommend deep cleaning your phone at least twice a week to keep yourself and your electronics in top shape. While many disinfecting products are used to clean phones, a Lysol disinfecting wipe is the best way to sanitize a phone regularly, according to Institute pros.
Using a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or disinfecting wipe, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces, according to Apple. Never use aerosol sprays, bleaches, or abrasives to clean your electronic devices to prevent damage.
Do unplug and turn off your phone first. Do use disinfectant wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol or a similar disinfecting spray, spritzed onto a clean microfiber cloth. Do spray any cleaners onto a soft cloth, not directly onto your phone. Do wring out the wipe or cloth before using if it's too wet.
Sanitizing kills bacteria on surfaces using chemicals. It is not intended to kill viruses. Yes, EPA registers products that sanitize. Disinfecting kills viruses and bacteria on surfaces using chemicals.
Get the right cleaning equipment
Instead, we recommend using an alcohol-based wipe or spray to kill off any nasty bugs that may be living on the surface of your phone. According to Apple, disinfectant wipes with up to 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol are safe to use without causing any harm to your iPhone.
Don't Clean Your Phone With Bleach
Bleach can damage the screen's fingerprint-resistant coating.
Keeping your phone clean and sanitized with Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes and periodically disinfecting it when needed is easy and helps prevent the spread of illness during cold and flu season and all year long.
The disadvantages of using alcohol wipes
While they're best used on hard, non-porous surfaces like stainless steel and glass, the molecules that break down the cell walls of germs can also break down the structures of materials like wood and acrylic. Even rubber and plastics can be damaged by alcohol over time.
Experts recommend giving your cell phone a good wipe with a dry cloth whenever you come home from being in public. This will help remove germs from the surface, but it won't kill them, which is why you should aim to disinfect the device every other day, or twice a week at the very least.
To sanitize a surface or object, use a weaker bleach solution or an EPA-registered sanitizing product. For nonporous objects, such as certain toys and infant feeding items: Sanitize items by either boiling, steaming, or using a weaker bleach solution. Check with the item's manufacturer about which method to use.
Alcohol makes a good cleaner for electronic devices, but it should be the right type. Always use a 70% solution of isopropyl alcohol as an electronic cleaner.