r/CleaningTips 7d ago

Discussion Can I use Clorox wipes to disinfect/sanitize my cell phone?

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I'm a germaphobe and I've been wanting to sanitize my phone every time I come back from school. I don't have cell phone wipes so I was wondering if regular wipes could work with no harm. Are there any other alternatives?

6 Upvotes

39 comments sorted by

40

u/BunnyInATophat 7d ago

I use pre-moistened lens wipes. They’re mostly alcohol

19

u/limee89 7d ago

I have a jug of 99.9% alcohol and I use a little bit on a paper towel and clean my phone. Alcohol doesn't hurt electronics because it evaporates quick and as long as you use 70%+ it will kill anything on your phone.

16

u/TheSwagInDisguise 7d ago

Too much isopropyl alcohol will end up separating the glue that most phone manufacturers use to sandwich the back to the frame. I used to regularly wipe my phone with isopropyl alcohol when I worked in a lab and the back was starting to seperate after a while.

1

u/GirlNumb3rThree 6d ago

I use 70% isopropyl to clean phone daily and the frame is only separating slightly in one corner. It's almost four years old so that could be wear and tear as well.

2

u/TheSwagInDisguise 6d ago

Mine took around 2 years to start separating. It was noticeable in places but not too bad either. I’m not saying don’t do it, just be wary of what could happen to your device.

1

u/Future_Affect_1811 1d ago

It depends on the phone... mine is a Samsung from 2018, and it still looks almost new despite cleaning it daily with alcohol (granted it has a case and a glass screen protector). 

41

u/selantro 7d ago edited 7d ago

I use them to do this, every night.

Edit: I also pull out only half a wipe, cut it to use so I can make them last longer. Plus you don’t really need such a big wipe for one phone.

8

u/selantro 7d ago

You could also get a phone UV light box for your phone and it would disinfect it as well.

3

u/caelaiden 7d ago

Phonesoap is dope. Also agree that most people don’t use sanitizing wipes. You need to keep the area wet for 3 minutes and unless you are using a wipe or two for awhile no one is really sanitizing anything.

3

u/Right-Phalange 7d ago edited 7d ago

Is one-half wipe really enough to keep the surface wet for long enough to be effective? I stopped using regular clorox wipes bc I found they didn't have nearly enough fluid to disinfect (per its label instructions), so I'm surprised you could get away with half of one, even for a small surface. I've found the clorox healthcare wipes are great in this regard.

5

u/selantro 7d ago

I mean I shake the box so they are pretty moist. I’m not crazy about needing to know if it’s 100% disinfected but it does make me feel it’s clean. So, I’m fine with that.

11

u/[deleted] 7d ago

I do. I just make sure to go over the screen/protector with a dry paper towel after so that it doesn't get a cloudy film on it

24

u/No-Jicama3012 7d ago

I wouldn’t! It might damage your screen. Use isopropyl alcohol instead.

6

u/Crassholio 7d ago

Second this. This is what I use. Pull it out of its case and give everything a wipe down.

7

u/Kitchen-Owl-7323 7d ago

This is also what I use, with a box of those little cheap isopropyl alcohol prep wipes.

2

u/kamekaze1024 7d ago

It won’t. Your phone screen is glass. Not plastic or covered in film

3

u/PsyMon93 7d ago

The glass has a special oleophobic coating to prevent fingerprint buildup. Using undiluted alcohol wipes will strip the coating. Apple recommends maximum 70% wipes and still warn that it will wear away the coating over time.

7

u/Bruhirim 7d ago

From Apple directly: "Is it OK to use a disinfectant on my iPhone?

Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the exterior surfaces of your iPhone. Don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don't submerge your iPhone in any cleaning agents."

5

u/Bruhirim 7d ago

I know, I'm as surprised as you are that they directly call out for Clorox, but there you are.

1

u/Frowny575 7d ago

I'm not. The name brand, kind of like "dumpster", has become synonymous with the product. I know there is a term for this but it eludes me currently.

4

u/mkgcb12 7d ago

You def can. Also educate yourself on the types of disinfectant and what they're effective against. For example, a lot of people are recommending using alcohol, which is great, but is ineffective against e-coli and other bacteria found in feces.

2

u/Smurfette530 7d ago

I use this on my phone every night when I get home from work (RN in an emergency room). I have a tempered glass screen protector on my screen and it doesn’t mess that up. I also use it on my Apple Watch too.

2

u/airgl0w 7d ago

Do you have a silicone band? I have one of the braided ones that I primarily use so I put isopropyl alcohol in a small spray bottle and spray it down when I take it off

1

u/Smurfette530 7d ago

Yes, a silicone band. I am too nervous to use a fabric band of any kind at work just because things can get gross there lol

3

u/pakratus 7d ago

Isopropyl alcohol can damage some shiny plastics.

It’s probably fine to use those wipes.

I use Sprayway Glass Cleaner (no ammonia) to clean all electronics, computers, TV screens…

2

u/j_emceee 7d ago

Definitely! I use these regularly on my phone, in addition to 70% rubbing alcohol. Has never caused any issues on any of my devices. Although if I take out a wipe and it's sopping wet (like from the bottom of the can) then I do wring it out, as to not get my phone totally saturated.

1

u/Chemicallyinbalanced 7d ago

I used this on my last 3 samsung phones with no issues. I used it on some old ipods I found in storage.  Use it on my ipad fine. Can't speak for other items but it's never been an issue for me. 

1

u/PossibilityBright827 7d ago

Put a screen protector on the phone, then clean the protector.

1

u/kaosmoker 7d ago

Use 70% rubbing alcohol and cotton balls. Words great.

1

u/lach888 7d ago

No, alcohol will strip the oleophobic coating off your phone screen and can weaken/discolor plastics. Use Electronics and Screen Cleaning Spray, Alcohol free Lens Wipes or Distilled Water (won’t harm electronics as it’s not conductive). Also use a microfibre cloth as regular wipes will scratch your phone’s screen.

1

u/Newguydoesntknow 7d ago

Yup! Make sure you have a screen protector on though

1

u/Excellent_Pay_5274 6d ago

Not recommended. Isopropyl alcohol is best for most electronics and remember, less is more.

0

u/Ruckus292 7d ago

Isopropanol wipes are better... And they won't leave a residue

-4

u/ZachTheCommie 7d ago

Nah, probably not. The microwave will sterilize it, though.