In this day and age, almost everyone owns a smartphone, and from the smartphone users, nearly all have cases. Here are the guides on how to take care of the case that takes care of your handy dandy mini-computer that fits snuggly on your hand.
Now before we start, you have to keep in mind that no matter how much of a clean freak or a snob you are in terms of your belongings, your phone is disgustingly filthy. Why? It carries ten times the number of germs a urinal has on a subway. Ew, do not ever think that your case is cleaner than your phone because you know the answer to that now, especially how germs these days can lead to death, like the coronavirus. Bummer.
Starting with a cleaning guide that is easy as can be, Apple has got you with basic instructions that are foolproof. Now, if you're still here and you haven't clicked the link yet, let us proceed to the meat of the content.
Plastic/Polycarbonate Cases
If you own a plastic case, you would be remiss to think that you're alone on this because the vast majority of people own plastic cases. That's perfectly fine! You do you! Polycarbonate or Polyurethane is commonly used. The cons of plastic, though, are it may not always be the best choice to protect your phone since not all plastic cases have a cushioning material to stay in between the rocky pavement and your glass phone. To clean this highly sought for smartphone cases, please prepare the following.
What you need:
- Chlorine bleach
- Water
- Sponge, cloth, and toothbrush
- Dishwashing gloves
How:
- Bleach irritates the skin and lungs so better put on dishwashing gloves and make sure to be in an open area or, at the very least, make sure the place is adequately ventilated.
- Just mix one tablespoon of bleach for every cup of water. Please be careful not to splash the mix since it's still going to irritate the skin.
- Next, soak your case in the mixture for a good five to ten minutes. If ever your case happens to have an annoying stain, let it swim for a bit longer until its gone.
- Now you should give your case the rub of love and make sure you use a good sponge or cloth to get rid of any remaining stains and maybe a toothbrush for those hard to reach places.
- Make sure to rinse your case on running water thoroughly to remove the solution and pat dry it with a paper towel or just any tower or cloth and air dry for an hour before putting your phone back.
Do this at least once a month and wipe your case down and your phone with disinfecting wipes
Silicone/Rubber Phone Cases
Silicone or Rubber cases are of high-quality but yet very affordable to buy. Made out of petroleum and silicone compounds, they are a trendy choice and has a wide variety of styles to choose from. Now the problem here is that they tend to be very sticky, which attracts more germs and dirt to it. So to effectively clean it, here are the steps.
What you need:
- Dish soap
- Water
- Sponge, cloth, and toothbrush
- Baking soda is optional
How:
- Mix dish soap and water until you seem fit into a bowl of hot water and mix.
- Now make sure to use the sponge, cloth, or toothbrush to scrub your case and remove all the dirt and grime that's on it.
- Optional Step: If you think you haven't gotten all of it off yet, sprinkle baking soda on top of them and scrub with a wet toothbrush.
- Make sure to rinse your case on running water thoroughly to remove the solution and pat dry it with a paper towel or just any tower or cloth and air dry for an hour before putting your phone back.
Do this at least once a month and wipe your case down and your phone with disinfecting wipes
Wood Cases
Now we move into the premium territory of cases, as not all people would prefer the high maintenance care for these types of cases regardless of how awesome they look.
What you need:
- Water
- Vinegar
- Dish soap is optional
- Spray bottle
- Cloth
How:
- Fill in the spray bottle with two parts water and one part vinegar and mix. Also, maybe add a few drops of dish soap if you like to add a little bit more zing on that solution.
- Next, spray the solution onto the case and with it down with a damp cloth. Do not drench your case because it is susceptible. So act accordingly.
- Wipe with a paper towel or dry cloth to remove the excess moisture.
Aftercare: This solution functions as an all-purpose, everyday wood cleaner. Save whatever you have left of the solution and repeat this routine weekly.
Leather/Faux Leather Cases
Soft and very durable, these are the types of cases that serve as also a wallet besides being a cellphone case. Which is no problem at all if you're into that sort of thing. Protects the phone from scratches but not as effective from fall damage. Less likely to grip fall from your grasp. To take care and clean this fragile piece here is what you'd need:
What you need:
- Water
- Mild hand soap
- Cloth
- Leather conditioner or mink oil is optional
How:
- Mix the hand soap with warm water and use your best judgment.
- Dip the cloth into the solution and next, wring it until it gets damp. Wipe your case down afterward. Do not apply the solution directly onto the case because leather and water do not mix well.
- Now use a dry cloth to remove the excess water.
- Optional: Use a leather conditioner or mink oil to keep your case in good shape for the future. Follow the instructions on the label.
There you have it! Keep in mind that smartphone cases, except for the customized and premium ones, are made of different materials. Nevertheless, you won't go wrong, and you will keep your phone, your case, and, most importantly, yourself safe from germs, for now.
