Phone cases look beautiful when new but after some time the appearance tends to deteriorate a bit.
The reason behind the change is because of the daily exposure to environmental conditions such as humidity, dust, UV radiation, friction, heat, etc.
These conditions cause wear and tear on the surface of the case that may result in stains. But whether the stains are visible or not, you want to ensure your case is free of germs and bacteria.
Did you know your cell phone may be ten times dirtier than your toilet seat?
Read on to find out different ways on how to clean phone cases, based on the type of phone case.
How to Clean a Silicone and Plastic Phone Case
If your case is silicone or plastic and lightly dirty, first combine water in a bowl and dish soap. Soak the case in soapy water for a few minutes.
Clean the edges by scrubbing gently using a toothbrush. Scrub until the stains are off and the case is completely clean, then rinse the case with cold water.
White phone cases, for instance, are notorious for easily picking up stains. If your case is white, silicone or plastic, and lightly dirty, try this method out.
After rinsing, dry the case using a microfiber cloth. It is made of super soft material so it sucks up water without scratching the case. The flat weave prevents streaks and lints from being left behind.
But, white cases get dirty faster and may turn yellow or develop stubborn stains. The yellow color not only indicates dirt, but also degradation in quality.
So if the simpler method above doesn’t work for you and you require more cleaning power, then go ahead and mix water and bleach in a bowl.
Use a small amount of bleach as too much of it can harm silicone cases. Soak the case in the solution for a few minutes. Bleach helps beat the tough and stubborn stains and remove yellowing.
How to Clean a Wooden Phone Case
Wood is a more delicate surface that requires regular dusting to prevent dirt and oils from damaging the surface.
Avoid constant contact with water as much as possible as it deteriorates wood phone cases. Instead, opt for a dry microfiber cloth to clean your wood case.
Tissues and other types of cloths might scratch the wood surface but microfiber cloths are made of unique fibers that clean the dirt without scratching the surface.
In case of stubborn grime on wood cases, dampen the microfiber cloth slightly with water and wipe.
For sticky residue and tougher stains, combine a few drops of white vinegar with water and dip the cloth in the solution then wipe the wood case. White vinegar is an effective cleaner that also serves as a disinfectant for viruses and bacteria.
Afterward, you can soak up any excess water using a dry microfiber cloth. Because wood is porous, consider terry or fluffy microfiber cloth to dry up wood phone cases since it ensures you reach even the small cracks and crevices.
How to Clean a Leather Phone Case
Leather is the most sensitive of all phone case materials. Mild solutions clean leather phone cases best. You can use a damp microfiber cloth and a mild hand soap.
Never apply the soap solution directly on the leather surface, lest you risk water staining. Always dip the microfiber cloth into the mild soapy solution first and then clean the case thoroughly.
For drying, go for plush terry-type microfiber cloth to clean leather cases as it reaches the tiniest crevices in the material. Allow the case to dry for one hour before you put it back to make sure no moisture remains.
Ensure you remain gentle when cleaning and drying and rub in circular motions to prevent the leather from stretching.
Remember that different solutions may impact your leather case differently and alter its appearance or color, so keep the job simple.
Also, keep your leather phone case away from direct heat, sunlight, high humidity, or other things that can stain it.
How to Clean a Rubber Phone Case
Rubber cases, like silicone, can be best cleaned with a solution of water and dish soap. This method is the most common and basic one on how to clean phone cases.
Make a solution of dish soap and water and soak the rubber phone case for a while. Scrub the edges using a toothbrush and later wipe the case with a dry microfiber cloth.
Be sure to use a flat woven microfiber cloth for drying rubber cases since it prevents lint from sticking on the surface.
If the stains on your rubber phone case are persistent, use isopropyl alcohol to dampen the cloth and then clean the case again. Another way is by mixing the soapy water with a little borax and soaking the rubber case in the solution for one hour.
Some stains, especially on a clear or white rubber case, can be extremely tough to remove. If you still can’t manage to remove the stains using the above methods, then try this method.
Make a paste of baking soda and water. Smear the paste evenly over the rubber phone case and allow it to dry for 2-4 hours.
Brush the paste away using a toothbrush and rise the case in cold water. Dry the rubber case using a dry microfiber cloth.
Final Thoughts
Just imagine the number of times you touch your phone case and the kind of bacteria you are exposed to.
From a hygiene perspective, a dirty phone case is worse than a toilet seat, so it is just right to make sure your phone case is always clean.
So, apart from a good appearance, a clean phone case keeps you safe from harmful germs and bacteria.
The regularity of cleaning your case should also be part looked into. Perform a cleaning practice each week to get rid of germs at all times.
The article above talks about how to clean phone cases of different types. If done correctly, the methods guarantee a cleaner look and safer case on your phone.