How to clean your phone case

Did you know your phone can be one of the dirtiest items you carry with you? Not only do you use it 24/7, you might pop it into a purse or pocket, toss it down on a table while you have lunch, and touch it after you touch a myriad of surfaces. It's no wonder phones, and their protective cases, can harbor tons of germs and bacteria. Thankfully, some of the newest cases come with antibacterial coatings. You can also use a UV-C sanitizer to get rid of lingering viruses and bacteria. But these don't get rid of dirt, dust, and grime in the cracks and crevices, not to mention those pesky fingerprints. So, it's important to give your phone case a quick clean every now and then. But how do you clean your phone case?

First thing's first, make sure to remove your phone from the case before you begin, and wash your hands so they're fresh, clean, and ready to go. Then, follow this guide depending on which type of phone case you have.

How to clean a clear plastic or TPU phone case

If the silicone case has started to yellow — which tends to happen with cases made of polymer after being exposed to chemicals, light, and heat over long periods of time — you can clean it to try to get it back to at least closer to its original state.

WHOOSH! is one of the most respected brands when it comes to tech screen cleaners, and the company has expanded its line-up to include other products, including this disinfectant and surface sanitizer for electronic devices. EPA-approved, you get a 32 oz. bottle of solution along with a cleaning cloth. It's odorless and eco-friendly without any added dyes, VOCs, or fragrances, so it's safe to use on screens and more.

TriNova Leather Cleaner

Complete with a microfiber cloth, test this leather cleaner out on a small section of your leather or faux leather phone case. The small 18 oz. bottle is perfect to keep on your desk or with cleaning supplies to use as needed. It both cleans and conditions, helping the case last for a long time.

Elite Tech Gear 4-Pack Blue Oversized Microfiber Cloth

Unlike other microfiber cloths designed for cleaning phones that tend to be super-small, this one is larger at 12 x 12 inches, making it ideal to use for a larger phone case or even a tablet. You can wet them and they dry easily, plus are gentle on surfaces. As a bonus, you can use them to clean a variety of other items, too, from your eyeglasses to your gaming controllers. Since there are four in a pack, you can wet one to clean and use a second to dry off.

Awesome Screen Cleaning Ball – Pack of 3

These balls are fun for cleaning both your phone's screen and its case, measuring 2.5-inches each with two sides: one terry cloth microfiber for removing stains and the other ultrafine for shining and polishing. Add some liquid cleaner and scrub, then wash the balls to re-use again.