We’re sure you’ve noticed the extent to which your phone’s dirt can be. Also, if you’re concerned about your hygiene and health (which we’ll presume you are), you likely spend some time scrubbing and cleaning your device.
What are you washing your phone using? Using the right tools and methods will ensure your phone’s cleanliness. However, it is the same with the incorrect ones. However, using the wrong techniques can damage the phone.
The question is, what can you do to give your smartphone a routine screen clean without ruining the phone?
Can Alcohol Damage Touch Screen?
Alcohol is a known cause of damage to display screens for touch. The latest touchscreen technology, such as those found on tablets and smartphones, uses capacitive technology to detect electrical signals from the human body, allowing for accurate contact input.
The application of cleaners with alcohol-based ingredients directly onto the screen can:
- The oleophobic coatings can be damaged.
- Reduce performance
- Remain behind residue and, consequently, alter the ability to respond.
- In addition, there’s the possibility that alcohol will seep into the device and damage internal components.
Important: To clean touchscreens safely, use a moist microfiber cloth or a light cleaner for the screen.
Can You Use 70% Alcohol to Clean Phone Screen?
Yes, 70% alcohol could be used for cleaning the phone’s screen, but it is not liquid. It is better to apply alcohol in the form of sprays or wipes. Ether alcohol wipes, or Clorox disinfecting wipes that have 70% alcohol and isopropyl alcohol-based wipes, are ideal for washing the exterior of the iPhone.
Be aware of the following tips before washing your smartphone with tissue paper or sprays:
- Take the charger off before cleaning.
- Do not spray the solution directly onto the phone; instead, spray the solution onto the cloth and clean the phone.
- Ensure you know the chemical ingredients and stay clear of Abrasives or bleach.
- Take care that you do not let spray-drop liquids fall into spaces that are not sealed off.
- Necessary: Chemicals such as alcohol, vinegar, and bleach could damage screen displays. Beware of products that contain hydrogen peroxide, as with other cleaners.
ADVERSE ALCOHOL EFFECT ON AN LCD DISPLAY
If you are attracted to using alcohol-based disinfectants to clean your phone’s screen, you should not. If you misuse it, you could harm your phone and other electronic gadgets. Using alcohol to clean the phone’s screen can cause irreparable damage to the LCD screen. This is particularly the case for LCD screens. Why does alcohol cause a significant eroding impact on LCD screens?
The screen of liquid crystals comprises multiple layers and is the main sandwich with layers of liquid crystal molecules sandwiched between two Polarizers. The polarizers and liquid crystal molecules themselves are highly soluble in alcohol. If they are corrupted by alcohol, they’ll dissolve instantly, and the screen will turn stained.
But the latest LCD screens, particularly touch screens, aren’t that delicate as we set up a glass covering on the top of the screen. This protects against scratches ruining the screen. In addition, this will naturally prevent various water and solvents that come on the outside from touching the structure beneath. Yet it is recommended to clean the screen with alcohol-based cleaning products is not a safe procedure for two primary motives.
REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN’T USE ALCOHOL ON YOUR SMARTPHONE SCREEN
We have already mentioned that there are two significant motives to stay away from the use of alcohol in the cleaning of our smartphones.
In the beginning, the top that covers the screen is covered with an organic film, like an oleophobic layer. This will reduce the absorption of oils and prevent fingerprints from contaminating the glass. A majority of these coatings comprise diverse organic compounds. Their resistance to alcohol is relatively low. When they’re wiped down with alcohol externally, the layers are much more likely to peel off. The display will then begin to appear blurry. Naturally, if your smartphone’s screen is coated with film, then there’s no need to fret excessively about this issue.
The second point is that even though the upper layer of the LCD screen, which is its surface, isn’t so rough, its sides remain incredibly delicate. Most LCD screens damaged due to alcohol happen because the alcohol sinks into spaces on the sides of the LCD screen. That means as users wipe their hands with alcohol, the substance absorbed by the alcohol seeps to the edges of the screen. It moves from the glass panel and drills directly into the structure below. Alcohol’s surface tension is very low, and the capillary effect is powerful. If it gets towards the sides that are the front of your display, it’ll easily penetrate it. As we all would expect, it will be pretty unpleasant.
How do you clean your screens?
Once all that’s taken care of, it’s time to get down to cleaning your display is simple. If you’re dealing with the occasional dust buildup, you can use a compressed air can and an air compressor to remove the dust. It is also possible to use a clean microfiber cloth.
To do more than dampen your microfiber fabric, use a tiny amount of distillate water, then slowly scrub the screen. After you’ve wiped the entire display, switch over the cloth, and then use the dry surface to remove any accumulated water. This is the time not to rub or scratch the screen using excess pressure. Don’t try to smudge any dust into the surface of the screen.
That’s it. Now you should have a tidy display by now. Naturally, it takes longer to clean up a larger display. However, you can apply the methods provided for all kinds of presentations. This includes LCDs, TVs, and display screens for smartphones.
What Happens If I Spill Rubbing Alcohol on My Phone?
Inhaling alcohol on the phone could cause different problems. Alcohol is a potent cleaning agent; using it directly on the phone screen may cause harm to the device.
- The alcohol’s acidity is high and can leave marks on the film.
- The splattered alcohol may result in a reduction in touchscreen sensitivity.
- Additionally, the imposition of grease following the spill could be challenging to eliminate.
- In the case of liquids, they can get into phones, activating the indicator for liquid damage and voiding the phone’s warranty.
- It is recommended to stay clear of the use of alcohol or sanitizers in cleaning. Instead, use the most straightforward water and microfiber cloth to complete the cleansing process.