Can I use disinfectant on my Phone?

While different phones and devices are made with different materials, below is a list of cleaning tips that can apply to all Apple products and Android phones:

• Use only a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid abrasive cloths, towels, paper towels, or similar items.
• Avoid excessive wiping, which might cause damage.
• Unplug all external power sources, devices, and cables.
• Keep liquids away from the product, unless otherwise noted for specific products.
• Do not get moisture into any openings.
• Do not use aerosol sprays, bleaches, or abrasives.
• Do not spray cleaners directly onto the item.

First take off your phone case.  Most phone cases are made of washable material… thoroughly clean your case with soap and water and let completely dry.

To clean and disinfect your iPhone

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.  As with any device, do not get  moisture in any opening such as the mic or ports.  Of course, do not use on fabric or leather surfaces.  Let your iPhone completely dry before putting your clean and dried case back on.  For more information on recommended Apple product cleaning, read their article “How to clean your Apple products”.

To clean and disinfect your Android phone

For Android phones, it is recommended not to use alcohol wipes on the glass since it can damage the oleophobic coating on the screen (which helps to prevent fingerprint smudges).  On the other surfaces of the phone, you can use the wipes.  You can you a mild damp microfiber cloth to gently wipe/clean particulates off your phone.  More cleaning tips can be found at AndroidCentral  How to Clean and Disinfect Your Android Smartphone.

What if you coating is already worn off, you say?  Then yes, then you can use a disinfectant wipe to clean the glass surface just like the iPhone since your coating is already worn off and no damage will be done.

So what is a person to do to disinfect your phone without using disinfectant wipes?

Ultraviolet lights can disinfect and kill bacteria on your phone!  Check out the article The 8 Best Phone Sanitizers of 2020 for a list of top UV sanitizer product.