How to Clean Your Phone Case

Your phone case goes everywhere your hands go, and studies have found phone cases can carry more bacteria than a toilet seat. A quick clean every week keeps it hygienic and looking new.

Clean by material

• Clear and silicone: wipe with soapy water, rinse, and dry fully
• Leather: use a leather cleaner, never soak it
• Fabric: spot clean and air dry

For clear cases, dish soap and warm water remove the oils that cause yellowing, though some yellowing over time is unavoidable and comes from UV exposure.

The weekly routine

Remove the case and wipe it with a cloth dampened with soapy water or a diluted disinfectant. Rinse, dry completely, and wipe down the phone underneath, where dust and grit accumulate and can scratch the finish.

What not to do

Avoid bleach and harsh chemicals, which discolor and weaken the case. Don't soak leather, and don't use abrasive scrubbers that leave scratches.

A weekly soap-and-water wipe is all most cases need. It's fast, it keeps the case from yellowing early, and it's more hygienic than most people realize.