HOW TO CLEAN PHONE CASES – 5 TYPES: SILICONE, PLASTIC, WOOD, LEATHER, RUBBER

How do our once beautiful phone cases start to look so bad? Since we use our phones every single day, they become exposed to environmental conditions such as UV radiation, humidity, heat, dust, friction, etc.. This puts constant wear and tear on their surfaces, which can result in stains. But even if you don’t have any visible stains on your phone case, it’s always best to keep your case clean of any germs and bacteria. This is especially true since your cell phone might be dirtier than a toilet seat. Here we list different methods for how to clean phone cases, depending on what type of phone case you possess:

PLASTIC & SILICONE PHONE CASES

For the best way on how to clean silicone phone cases, start by combining dish soap and water in a bowl. When the water is soapy, place your phone case into the bowl and let it soak for several minutes. You may need to place a weight onto the case to keep it submerged.

To remove stains and to clean around the edges, gently scrub with a toothbrush. You can also add baking soda if you find a very stubborn stain. Continue scrubbing until all dirt is removed, then rinse your phone case in cold water. This even works great on clear plastic phone cases. You can then dry your case with a microfiber cloth to suck up the water without scratching your case. We recommend our suede microfiber cloth, since it’s super soft and the flat weave ensures no lint or streaks are left behind. Before placing the case back onto your phone, let it air dry for about an hour to ensure there is no remaining moisture.

IF YOUR PHONE CASE IS WHITE

If your silicone phone case is white and only lightly dirty, you can wash and dry your case with the same method as above. However, white cases can get dirtier faster, and often turn yellow or wind up with very obvious stains. So, if you need more cleaning power for your white phone case, go ahead and mix bleach and water in a bowl. Only a small amount of bleach should be used, as too much can damage silicone cases. You can dilute one teaspoon of bleach in warm water, then place your case into the solution for a few minutes. The bleach should help remove tough stains and yellowing.

RUBBER PHONE CASE

Like silicone cases, rubber phone cases can be easily cleaned with a mixture of dish soap and water. This is the most basic way on how to clean phone cases. Soak the case in the soapy water and clean around the edges with a toothbrush. Then, wipe down the rubber case with a microfiber towel. If there are still stains on your rubber phone case, you can dampen the cloth with isopropyl alcohol and wipe again. You can also add a little borax to the soapy water and let your rubber case sit in the solution for an hour. Always use a flat woven lint free microfiber cloth to dry on rubber, like our microfiber suede cloths. This will prevent streaking and lint being left behind.

Some stains are more stubborn than others, especially white rubber or clear rubber cases. So if you still can’t get rid of all of the dirt, try making a paste of baking soda and water. Spread the paste over your rubber case and let it dry for a few hours. Then, brush away the paste and rinse your case. If you wanted to know how to clean rubber phone cases thoroughly, try this method.

WOOD PHONE CASE

Wood is the most delicate phone case surface, thus it is more important to dust your wood phone cases more often. This will prevent oil, dirt, and debris from sinking in or scratching the surface. If possible, avoid water when cleaning your wood phone case. Too much contact with water can cause wood to deteriorate. Instead, maintain your wood case by regularly cleaning with a dry microfiber cloth. While tissues or other cloths can leave scratches on wood, microfiber cloths contain delicate fibers that suck up dirt without harming the surface. (See below for our recommended microfiber cloth for wood phone cases)

For tougher grime on your wood phone case, you can slightly dampen the microfiber cloth with a small amount of water and wipe. If it is extra sticky residue, add a few drops of white vinegar to water and dip your cloth in the solution. Never apply a liquid directly to the wood case, always apply to the cloth. Then use a dry microfiber cloth to soak up any excess water. Since wood is porous use a fluffy or terry microfiber cloth to dry wood. This will ensure you are absorbing into the small cracks and crevices.

Tip: Make sure when you are cleaning and drying you are going with the grain.

LEATHER PHONE CASE

Leather phone cases are best cleaned with a mild solution. You can lightly clean your leather case with mild hand soap, and a damp microfiber cloth. Apply the soap onto the cloth and distribute evenly. If you have a mild cleaner, use it along with a dry cloth. When drying, use a plusher terry type microfiber cloth, instead of a flat woven type. The is because leather is porous, so you want to make sure you are getting into the smallest cracks and crevices of the material.

Always make sure you are being as gentle as possible when cleaning and drying, rubbing in circular motions. This will ensure you are not stretching the leather. Keep in mind that different products and solutions you are using on your leather case can alter its look and color, so the simpler the cleaning job the better.

Tip: To restore and condition your leather use Saddle Soap.

WHY MICROFIBER CLOTHS ARE A NECESSITY

No matter what kind of phone case you have, microfiber is essential if you want to know how to clean phone cases properly. That’s because microfiber is soft enough to not scratch, small enough to pick up debris, and absorbent enough to dry thoroughly! In fact, microfiber is so small that it can effectively remove many germs and bacteria with just water.

It’s important to regularly clean your phone case to prevent any dirt, residue, and grimy buildup. With a combination of cleaning mixtures and microfiber cloths, you can effectively clean your phone case no matter what type of case it is. Whether it’s silicone or wood, you can count on a microfiber cloth to fully clean your phone case without any damage.

WHAT’S THE BEST CLOTH TO USE?

Buff™ Quick Cloths are made to clean and dry any phone screen or case streak free! They have one side of plush microfiber for cleaning, and one side of lint free silk microfiber for drying. Plus it comes in a 2 pack, and you choose from 6 fun and unique designs.