Make Your Tech Shine: How to Safely Clean Your Phone and Tablet

As we blitz the house for spring, our phones and tablets often escape the cleaning rota—despite being handled more than the kettle. Fingerprints, pocket fluff, mystery smudges (we won’t ask), and the occasional crumb collect on screens and in ports, dulling displays and inviting avoidable issues. A careful clean restores clarity, improves touch response, and helps keep germs at bay—without risking water damage or stripping oleophobic coatings.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to safely clean your phone and tablet using the right tools, products, and techniques: from screen-friendly wipes and microfibre cloths to sensible disinfecting, port maintenance, and case care. No harsh chemicals, no paper towels, and definitely no bathroom steam “spa”. The goal is simple: make your tech shine, look professional, and last longer—so you can enjoy brilliant screens, responsive taps, and a device that feels as fresh as your newly polished benchtops. Gloves optional; satisfaction guaranteed.

Set up safely

Power down the device and unplug accessories. Remove the case and any screen protectors that are due for replacement. Work on a flat surface with good light. If your device isn’t water-resistant, keep liquids to an absolute minimum—think “lightly damp”, not “spring shower”.

Choose the right tools

Use a clean microfibre cloth, cotton buds, wooden or plastic toothpicks, and a small soft brush. For cleaning fluid, mix distilled water with a little isopropyl alcohol (up to 70%) or use purpose-made screen cleaner. Avoid paper towels, window spray, bleach, hand gel, and anything gritty or perfumed.

Screens first

Mist the cloth (never the device) and wipe in straight lines from top to bottom. Stubborn smudges yield to a slightly dampened corner of the cloth followed by a dry pass. Be gentle: pressing hard won’t remove fingerprints faster, it just annoys the pixels—and risks the oleophobic coating.

Buttons, edges, and seams

Run a dry cotton bud along button gaps and frame seams to lift grime. A soft brush dislodges pocket lint around speaker grilles and microphones. If needed, a barely damp bud can finish the job; keep moisture away from openings.

Ports and speakers

Turn the device so debris can fall out rather than in. Tease lint from the charging port with a wooden or plastic pick, working slowly. A soft brush across speaker and microphone meshes helps clear dust. Skip canned air—it can push debris deeper or add moisture.

Disinfecting, sensibly

After cleaning, you may disinfect with a device-safe wipe or a microfibre lightly moistened with 70% isopropyl. Wring it nearly dry, wipe once, and allow to air dry. Avoid repeated, heavy disinfecting of the screen; it erodes coatings over time.

Case care

Silicone and TPU cases enjoy a warm, soapy soak and a thorough rinse. Hard plastic prefers a damp cloth and mild soap. Leather needs a specialist cleaner and a light condition—no baths, no alcohol. Dry completely before refitting to avoid trapping moisture.

Screen protectors and accessories

If the protector is chipped, lifting, or permanently cloudy, replace it. Wipe cables and chargers with a barely damp cloth; check for fraying or heat discolouration and retire anything suspect. A tidy charging station keeps everything cleaner, longer.

Keep it shining

Make a monthly date with a microfibre: quick wipe, quick port check, quick case clean. Little and often beats heroic once-a-year scrubbing—and keeps your phone or tablet looking as fresh as your newly polished benchtops.

Finish Fresh: Keep Your Phone & Tablet Sparkling

Smudges and pocket fluff happen to the best of us, but they needn’t dull your day. With a gentle clean and the right gear, your screen stays crisp, touch stays responsive, and ports stay lint-free. Keep software up to date, use quality cleaning kits, and choose a high-grade screen protector for clarity without compromising protection.

If you’d like help choosing the safest cleaners or the right protector for your device, visit Phone Repair NZ. We’ll match you with microfibre cloths, device-safe solutions, and accessories that make maintenance easy. Prefer a second opinion? Get in touch—our friendly team is here to keep your tech looking sharp and working beautifully.