Four Common Ways People Damage Their Tech During Cleaning

Tech devices are so dirty—but we rarely think about it because they’ve become extensions of ourselves. My phone stays in my hand after I’ve touched door knobs, subway poles, gym equipment, and more, and then goes under my pillow while I sleep, surely germing up my breathing space. And don’t get me started on my headphones, which ride around in the bottom of my bag, encountering God-knows-what down there, before I shove them directly on my face. It’s really so gross and once I realized that, I started cleaning these things much more thoroughly and frequently.

What I learned, however, is that you can absolutely clean them wrong. Don’t let a fear of germs and grime cause you to inadvertently damage your expensive tech. It’s counterproductive. Hell, I’d rather take the germs. So here’s a list of common mistakes you can make while cleaning your devices—and how to avoid them.

Using the wrong solutions

The solution you choose to clean your devices depends on what they’re made of. For instance, when I clean my AirPods Max, I use liquid laundry detergent and water to pat at the ear cushions and mesh headband, but I would never use that same mixture to clean any parts that are more electrical. Generally, when dealing with things like phones or e-readers, you don’t want to use something too harsh to wipe down the touchscreens or surfaces. That said, the prevailing wisdom across the internet is that isopropyl alcohol is ideal. Ammonia and bleach are absolutely out, but alcohol at the right concentration is better. Opt for a 70% isopropyl over a 90% and dab it on your cleaning cloth, never directly on your device. This is what I use to wipe down my phone, the hard parts of my headphones, my computer, and my Kindle. Strong alcohols can eventually wear down things like screen protectors, so I swipe it fast. What do I use to do that? Let’s get into the next common mistake.

Using the wrong material

At this point, if you don’t have a bunch of microfiber cloths on hand, I’m disappointed in you. Not only are they the best for cleaning your home, but they’re the gold standard for cleaning tech. You don’t want a pad that is too abrasive, nor do you want a paper towel that will leave tiny debris behind as it disintegrates. Enter microfiber. You can get 24 of the cloths for under $10, so it’s really a no-brainer. These don’t scratch whatever they’re rubbing on (as long as they’re clean), which makes them ideal for delicate touchscreens.

That said, I do usually keep a few pre-made, single-use cleaning wipes around in case of emergency. I try to use the microfiber cloth and 70% isopropyl alcohol in the comfort of my own home, but sometimes, I just need to do a quick cleaning out and about. I have not noticed any major issues from doing this sporadically and it’s a cheap option, too: You can get 100 for about $7.

Manhandling the ports

If you clean your charging and headphone ports incorrectly, you can cause internal damage. These, plus air vents, volume controls, power buttons, and even the spaces around keys must be handled with the utmost care. Obviously, never get any liquid near them (depending on the device, anyway). But also make sure you have the right tools to carefully lift dust out, not push it deeper in.

Personally, I use teeny-tiny brushes that came with my DIY eyelash lifting kit. The instructions for the kit refer to them as “microbrushes” and micro they are. The fluffy part is basically the size of a pin head. Do I expect you to have an at-home eyelash lifting kit? No, but I do expect you to have access to a teeny-tiny brush. A phone cleaning kit might seem like an unnecessary purchase, but in reality, spending $14 to ensure the safety of your $1,000+ tech is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. A kit like the one above includes a variety of brushes that fit in every nook and cranny, but you still need to use them wisely. Angle them so you’re always popping dust out, never push them directly into a port or hole, and do this in a well-lit space. Bonus points if you haul out a magnifying glass.

Not using protection (or using the wrong kind)

A few weeks ago, I got silicone protectors for my AirPods Max, realizing that what worked for my phone (protection) could also work for other devices. Now, much of my stuff is covered in a delicate film of rubber. These upgrades were huge for me. It’s much easier to remove silicone casing and run it under some water than it is to fiddle with dirty devices. An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.

There are exceptions to this rule, however, and not keeping them in mind can inadvertently cause some issues. A case is good for headphones or a phone, but hardshell laptop covers can mess with your computer vents or put too much pressure on your display. You’re better off with a laptop sleeve that can protect your pricy computer while it’s in transit.

Similarly, although silicone keyboard covers work well to keep crumbs out of the cracks around all your various laptop buttons, Apple recommends against using them—or at least against closing the laptop with one on, as it can damage the display. You’re better off with a quick cleaning at the end of each work day.

Phone and tech cleaning guidelines to keep in mind

There are a few mistakes that are easy to correct, if you know what to do. Never press too hard, never apply cleaning solution directly to the product (lest it drip down into those all-important holes or be too concentrated on the surface), and always turn your device off before cleaning it. Wipe quickly and don’t let any liquid stay on any part of the tech for too long, then let it air dry completely before powering back on.