How to Clean Your Phone Case — Silicone, Plastic, Wood, Leather, Rubber

Updated 2024

Smartphones are our constant companion, with loyalty rivaling any dog. They follow us on every outing, meal, relaxation session on the couch, and for some even trips to the bathroom.

This constant closeness breeds more than just an addiction to Candy Crush, it breeds germs and lots of them. Studies have shown that cell phones might be dirtier than toilet seats.

Even post Pandemic, most people still don’t wash their hands often enough, making the constant pawing of our phones a nonstop transfer of body oils, dead skin cells, food residue, fecal matter, and more.

Simply put, smartphones are amazing, but gross.

The good news is you don’t have to give up your digital friend to avoid the dirt and germs, as keeping your smartphone clean and sanitary is simple once you own the right products and learn the easy steps to make any smartphone sparkle.

Ready to have the cleanest phone case ever? Let's do this.

Contents

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What Products Do You Need?

As with most neglected tasks, finding the right tools makes all the difference. Cleaning your phone with the wrong products can create scratches and even dissolve paint. Here are the basics you need to clean your case right:

Premium All Purpose & Glass Microfiber Towels

Our Pick - MW Glass Cleaning Kit

A plush all purpose microfiber picks up more dirt than cotton and reduces scratches, while glass cloths eliminate lint and streaks with ease. Check price

MW Quick Screen & Eyeglass Cleaning Cloths

Dual Sided Eyeglass Cleaning Cloth

Our Pick - MW Quick Eyeglass Cloths

For keeping your phone clean on the go, experts know eyeglass towels are for more than sunglasses. The fuzzy side rubs off dirt and oil, while the smooth side buffs up a brilliant shine. Check price

Dish Soap

Our Pick - Dawn Professional

For maintenance cleaning of most phone cases, dish soap does great in a pinch. What it lacks in disinfecting it makes up for in convenience and price, as a tiny squirt is all you need.

We’ll start with the tried and true, Plastic & Silicone phone cases, but use the menu to the left to skip down to specialty materials, such as leather, wood, clear cases, and more.

How to Clean a Plastic or Silicone Phone Case

To perform a basic clean on any plastic or silicone phone case follow the following steps (also works on clear, white, and rubber cases):

1. Turn off the phone and remove the case
2. Spray the case with an ammonia-free disinfecting all purpose cleaner that works on glass.
  (If you don’t have an all purpose cleaner, substitute by mixing a little dish soap with warm water)
3. Let the spray soak for a few minutes to kill germs
  (if using dish soap, submerge the case in the soap water weighted down with a spoon)
4. Wipe down the phone with a microfiber towel lightly dampened with the all purpose cleaner.
5. Wipe the case clean and fully dry with a microfiber towel before putting it back together.
6. Use the microfiber towel (ideally the glass towel) to buff the screen to a shine.

"Great. Big enough for my hands. Cleaned glasses and phone extremely well. Recommend it." - Joseph Accoto, United States

How to keep your phone clean on the go (works on all phone cases):

1. Keep a MW Quick Eyeglass Cloth in your purse or wallet.
2. Wipe the phone with the fuzzy side of the cloth whenever you see dirt & smudges.
3. Finally, buff the screen to a brilliant with the smooth side of the cloth.

How to deep clean a plastic or silicone phone case that is dirty and stained:

1. Turn off the phone and remove the case
2. Soak the case for a few minutes in a bowl of warm water and a squirt of dish soap.
3. Gently scrub the case with a toothbrush and baking soda until all dirt is removed.
  Use a magic eraser for any last trouble spots.
4. Wipe down the phone with a microfiber towel lightly dampened with the dishwater.
5. Rinse your phone case in cold water.
6. Fully dry your case and phone with a premium microfiber cloth to avoid scratches.
7. Assemble the phone and buff the screen with a microfiber glass cloth, since the flat weave ensures no lint or streaks will be left behind.

Premium All Purpose & Glass Microfiber Towels

Our Pick - MW Glass Cleaning Kit

A plush all purpose microfiber picks up more dirt than cotton and reduces scratches, while glass cloths eliminate lint and streaks with ease. Check price

Dual Sided Eyeglass Cleaning Cloth

Our Pick - MW Quick Eyeglass Cloths

For keeping your phone clean on the go, experts know eyeglass towels are for more than sunglasses. The fuzzy side rubs off dirt and oil, while the smooth side buffs up a brilliant shine. Check price

Disinfecting All Purpose & Glass Cleaner

Our Pick - Windex Multisurface

For basic cleaning of most cases, a disinfecting all purpose cleaner is a must to battle dirt, germs and streaks. Windex multisurface is ammonia-free, making it safe for most cases and screens.

Melamine Foam Sponge

Our Pick - Magic Eraser

Magic eraser sponges are great to rub off embedded dirt without scratching the case. Just be careful to keep the sponge damp and not scrub too long, as it can eventually wear off paint.

Baking Soda

Our Pick - Whichever one you have

Baking soda is great to act as a gentle abrasive and deeper cleaner where lighter all purpose cleaners might fail. It’s safe on virtually anything not harmed by water.

Dish Soap

Our Pick - Dawn Professional

For maintenance cleaning of most phone cases, dish soap does great in a pinch. What it lacks in disinfecting it makes up for in convenience and price, as a tiny squirt is all you need.

How to Clean a Clear Phone Case

Clear phone cases can be cleaned the same way as any plastic case, so use the instructions above.

If your clear phone case is old or neglected, it may have yellowed with age or stained brown from caked on dirt.

If it has yellowed with age, unfortunately this is chemical oxidation of the silicone that comes from UV exposure and cannot be reversed, even with bleach (which can actually make the oxidation worse).

If it is tinted brown with dirt and oil build up, you can fix it with the extra steps below:

How to deep clean a clear plastic phone case that is dirty and stained:

1. Turn off the phone and remove the case
2. Soak the case for a few minutes in a bowl of warm water and a squirt of dish soap.
3. Gently scrub the case with a toothbrush and baking soda until all dirt is removed.
4. Wipe down the phone with a microfiber towel lightly dampened with the dishwater.
5. Rinse your phone case in cold water.
6. Fully dry your case and phone with a premium microfiber cloth to avoid scratches.
7. Assemble the phone and buff the screen with a microfiber glass cloth, since the flat weave ensures no lint or streaks will be left behind.

"I purchased these for everyone for Christmas in 2020. Sadly, I didn't include myself. I noticed that my husband used his all the time for his phone and glasses; so I order more for us - late for Christmas 2020 but a great gift regardless (especially for yourself!)" - Rhonda Doak, United States

Premium All Purpose & Glass Microfiber Towels

Our Pick - MW Glass Cleaning Kit

A plush all purpose microfiber picks up more dirt than cotton and reduces scratches, while glass cloths eliminate lint and streaks with ease. Check price

Dual Sided Eyeglass Cleaning Cloth

Our Pick - MW Quick Eyeglass Cloths

For keeping your phone clean on the go, experts know eyeglass towels are for more than sunglasses. The fuzzy side rubs off dirt and oil, while the smooth side buffs up a brilliant shine. Check price

Dish Soap

Our Pick - Dawn Professional

For maintenance cleaning of most phone cases, dish soap does great in a pinch. What it lacks in disinfecting it makes up for in convenience and price, as a tiny squirt is all you need.

Baking Soda

Our Pick - Whichever one you have

Baking soda is great to act as a gentle abrasive and deeper cleaner where lighter all purpose cleaners might fail. It’s safe on virtually anything not harmed by water.

How to Clean a White Phone Case

White phone cases can be cleaned the same way as any plastic case, so use the instructions above.

However, white cases show dirt faster and wind up with very obvious stains. Here are the extra steps you can take to remove stains on a white plastic phone case.

How to deep clean a white plastic phone case that is dirty and stained:

1. Turn off the phone and remove the case
2. Soak the case for a few minutes in a bowl of warm water, 1 teaspoon of bleach, and 1 squirt dish soap (bleach damages silicone, so only use a little bit).
3. Gently scrub the case with a dampened magic eraser till all the dirt is removed.
4. Wipe down the phone with a microfiber towel lightly dampened with the dish soap water.
5. Rinse your phone case in cold water.
6. Fully dry your case and phone with a premium microfiber cloth to avoid scratches.
7. Assemble the phone and buff the screen with a microfiber glass cloth, since the flat weave ensures no lint or streaks will be left behind.

"Suede wipes. use for cleaning glasses and laptop , table screens. Very good product. I keep a bunch handy where I can just grab one when I need it." - Frank Jakubecz, United States

Premium All Purpose & Glass Microfiber Towels

Our Pick - MW Glass Cleaning Kit

A plush all purpose microfiber picks up more dirt than cotton and reduces scratches, while glass cloths eliminate lint and streaks with ease. Check price

Dual Sided Eyeglass Cleaning Cloth

Our Pick - MW Quick Eyeglass Cloths

For keeping your phone clean on the go, experts know eyeglass towels are for more than sunglasses. The fuzzy side rubs off dirt and oil, while the smooth side buffs up a brilliant shine. Check price

Dish Soap

Our Pick - Dawn Professional

For maintenance cleaning of most phone cases, dish soap does great in a pinch. What it lacks in disinfecting it makes up for in convenience and price, as a tiny squirt is all you need.

Melamine Foam Sponge

Our Pick - Magic Eraser

Magic eraser sponges are great to rub off embedded dirt without scratching the case. Just be careful to keep the sponge damp and not scrub too long, as it can eventually wear off paint.

Laundry Bleach - For White Cases Only

Our Pick - Whichever one you have

Laundry bleach is great to disinfect and brighten tough stains on white phone cases, but resist the temptation to use it on yellowed clear cases, as it will make the yellowing oxidation even worse.

How to Clean a Rubber Phone Case

Rubber phone cases in good condition can be cleaned the same way as plastic or silicone cases, so follow the instructions above.

If your rubber case is neglected and caked with dirt and body oils, here are the extra steps you can take to deep clean it properly.

How to deep clean a dirty rubber phone case:

1. Turn off the phone and remove the case.
2. Soak the case for a few minutes in a bowl of warm water and a squirt of dish soap.
3. Use a magic eraser to rub off the embedded dirt and stains
  (do not scrub too long or you may dull the surface).
4. If stains persist, make a paste of baking soda and the dish soap water and coat the case. Let the paste sit for a few hours.
5. Rinse your phone case in cold water, scrubbing with a toothbrush as you do.
6. Wipe down the phone with a microfiber towel lightly dampened with the dish soap water.
7. Fully dry your case and phone with a premium microfiber cloth to avoid scratches.
8. Assemble the phone and buff the screen with a microfiber glass cloth, since the flat weave ensures no lint or streaks will be left behind.

"I bought these to clean glasses, cut them in half to wipe down my hearing aids, and use them to polish jewelry. Very good quality, but bigger quantity than I needed. Will have to give some away, and they will still last me forever." - Carol Talley, United States

Premium All Purpose & Glass Microfiber Towels

Our Pick - MW Glass Cleaning Kit

A plush all purpose microfiber picks up more dirt than cotton and reduces scratches, while glass cloths eliminate lint and streaks with ease. Check price

Dual Sided Eyeglass Cleaning Cloth

Our Pick - MW Quick Eyeglass Cloths

For keeping your phone clean on the go, experts know eyeglass towels are for more than sunglasses. The fuzzy side rubs off dirt and oil, while the smooth side buffs up a brilliant shine. Check price

Dish Soap

Our Pick - Dawn Professional

For maintenance cleaning of most phone cases, dish soap does great in a pinch. What it lacks in disinfecting it makes up for in convenience and price, as a tiny squirt is all you need.

Baking Soda

Our Pick - Whichever one you have

Baking soda is great to act as a gentle abrasive and deeper cleaner where lighter all purpose cleaners might fail. It’s safe on virtually anything not harmed by water.

Melamine Foam Sponge

Our Pick - Magic Eraser

Magic eraser sponges are great to rub off embedded dirt without scratching the case. Just be careful to keep the sponge damp and not scrub too long, as it can eventually wear off paint.

a hand holding a phone with a wooden case

How to Clean a Wood Phone Case

Wood is the most delicate phone case material sold and it can be damaged by excessive moisture and chemicals, so frequent light cleanings are key to helping it last.

1. Keep a MW Quick Eyeglass Cloth in your purse or wallet.
2. Wipe the phone with the fuzzy side of the cloth whenever you see dirt & smudges.
3. Finally, buff the screen to a brilliant with the smooth side of the cloth.

How to deep clean a wood phone case

Even with frequent light cleans, eventually a deeper clean will be necessary. Here is the proper way to deep clean a wood case without damaging it:

1. Turn off the phone and remove the case
2. Spray a microfiber towel with a wood deep cleaner (never spray directly on the case).
3. Wipe down the wood phone case, rubbing gently in the direction of the wood grain, till all dirt is removed. Buff the case dry immediately with a dry portion of the towel.
4. With a separate microfiber towel, lightly dampen it with an ammonia-free all purpose cleaner that is safe on glass (or diluted dish soap) and wipe down the phone and screen.
5. Use a dry microfiber towel to ensure both the case and phone are fully dry before putting it back together.
6. Use the microfiber towel (ideally a microfiber glass cloth) to buff the screen to a shine.

Premium All Purpose & Glass Microfiber Towels

Our Pick - MW Glass Cleaning Kit

A plush all purpose microfiber picks up more dirt than cotton and reduces scratches, while glass cloths eliminate lint and streaks with ease. Check price

Dual Sided Eyeglass Cleaning Cloth

Our Pick - MW Quick Eyeglass Cloths

For keeping your phone clean on the go, experts know eyeglass towels are for more than sunglasses. The fuzzy side rubs off dirt and oil, while the smooth side buffs up a brilliant shine. Check price

Wood Deep Cleaner - For Wood Cases Only

Our Pick - Howard Clean-A-Finish

For deep cleaning wood phone cases, basic all purpose cleaners may cause damage. A cleaner formulated to remove embedded dirt from wood without damaging the finish is critical to helping your luxury phone case last.

Dish Soap

Our Pick - Dawn Professional

For maintenance cleaning of most phone cases, dish soap does great in a pinch. What it lacks in disinfecting it makes up for in convenience and price, as a tiny squirt is all you need.

How to Clean a Leather Phone Case

Leather, while luxurious, is one of the more delicate phone case materials and it can be easily damaged by excessive moisture and chemicals, so frequent light cleanings are key to helping it last.

1. Keep a MW Quick Eyeglass Cloth in your purse or wallet.
2. Wipe the phone with the fuzzy side of the cloth whenever you see dirt & smudges.
3. Finally, buff the screen to a brilliant with the smooth side of the cloth.

How to deep clean a leather phone case

Even with frequent light cleans, eventually a deeper clean will be necessary. Here is the proper way to deep clean a leather case without damaging it.

1. Turn off the phone and remove the case
2. Dampen a portion of a microfiber towel with leather cleaner (never apply directly to the case).
3. Wipe down the leather phone case, rubbing gently in a circular motion, till all dirt is removed. Wipe the case dry immediately with a dry portion of the towel.
4. Next, dampen a microfiber towel with leather conditioner and smooth it all over the leather case in a thin even coat. Let the product absorb for 5 minutes and wipe off the excess.
5. With a separate microfiber towel, lightly dampen it with an ammonia-free all purpose cleaner that is safe on glass (or diluted dish soap) and wipe down the phone and screen.
6. Use a dry microfiber towel to ensure both the case and phone are fully dry before putting it back together.
7. Use the microfiber towel (ideally a microfiber glass cloth) to buff the screen to a shine.

Premium All Purpose & Glass Microfiber Towels

Our Pick - MW Glass Cleaning Kit

A plush all purpose microfiber picks up more dirt than cotton and reduces scratches, while glass cloths eliminate lint and streaks with ease. Check price

Dual Sided Eyeglass Cleaning Cloth

Our Pick - MW Quick Eyeglass Cloths

For keeping your phone clean on the go, experts know eyeglass towels are for more than sunglasses. The fuzzy side rubs off dirt and oil, while the smooth side buffs up a brilliant shine. Check price

Leather Cleaner & Conditioner - For Leather Cases Only

Our Pick - Lexol Leather Care Kit

If you’ve invested in a premium leather phone case, a proper leather cleaner is the only way to maintain your investment, and Lexol is the industry gold standard for speed and performance.

Dish Soap

Our Pick - Dawn Professional

For maintenance cleaning of most phone cases, dish soap does great in a pinch. What it lacks in disinfecting it makes up for in convenience and price, as a tiny squirt is all you need.

Why Do You Need Microfiber to Clean Phone Cases Properly?

While it might be tempting to be lazy and cheap and just clean your phone case with whatever cotton rag or paper towel you have lying around, it is a penny wise pound foolish decision that can shorten the life of your phone case.

This is because microfiber cleans differently than any other material.

The microscopic thin fibers trap even the tiniest bits of dust and residue. In fact microfiber is so effective at grabbing dirt that it has been proven to remove over 93% of viruses and bacteria with just water.

When you pair high quality microfiber with a high performing cleaning solution, there’s nothing you can’t tackle.

Meanwhile, that old cotton rag or paper towel will leave your case a linty looking mess, failing to remove residue that ruins the look of your phone and renders the case unusable.

Why Microfiber Wholesale's Towels the Best Cloths to Use

Microfiber Wholesale is a third generation, family-owned, American company that is passionate about importing microfiber that's:

- - - Highest performing
    - Longest lasting
    - Most ethically manufactured

Every towel is custom made to be plusher with more microfiber per inch than any other towel in their class and double sewn around the edges to last 300+ washes.

Simply put, Microfiber Wholesale towels are made better, pick up more dirt, and last more washes than any bargain towel.

MW Glass Cleaning Kit includes 2 different weaves of microfiber to ensure the deepest clean and the most brilliant shine. The terry weave towel is soft and gentle, but removes even embedded dirt and grime.

The glass weave towel is smooth and easily buffs off streaks and stays lint free even after hundreds of washes, leaving nothing but the shine.

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 buffing. Plus it comes in a 2 pack, and you choose from 6 fun and unique designs.

Our curated cleaning kit for homeowners

We’ve curated a cleaning kit of our favorite must-have products to keep a home in top shape. It contains two types of microfiber towels, a microfiber duster, and a heavy duty mop it. Check it out!

CHECK OUT THE ULTIMATE MICROFIBER CLEANING KIT

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Written by

Em Rey

Content Contributor at

Microfiber Wholesale

Em is an experienced content writer and strategist, creating engaging and informative content for lifestyle, home, and beauty publications over the past eight years.

Her passion for eco-friendly cleaning aligns with the growing demand for sustainable solutions, and she’s a strong advocate for microfiber products due to their efficiency and environmental benefits.

Em’s in-depth knowledge of the cleaning industry and commitment to promoting green initiatives make her an ideal partner for crafting content that resonates with professional cleaners.

When she’s not creating content, you'll find her with a toddler in tow either outdoors, somewhere near water, or baking.