Your phone goes everywhere with you - into bathrooms, onto restaurant tables, and straight into your hands before meals. It's one of the germiest objects you own, and yet most of us have no idea how to clean it properly. According to tech expert Iyaz Akhtar, writing for Lifehacker, a lot of people are actively making mistakes when they try to disinfect their devices.

The problem with how most people clean their phones

The instinct when something looks grimy is to grab whatever cleaning product is nearby - a wet wipe, some hand sanitizer, maybe a spritz of all-purpose spray. But your phone's screen has a delicate oleophobic coating (that's the layer that helps resist fingerprints), and harsh chemicals can degrade it over time. So while you think you're doing your phone a favor, you might be slowly ruining its finish.

Spraying liquid directly onto your device is another common mistake. Moisture can creep into ports and speakers, causing real damage - even on phones that are marketed as water-resistant.

What you should actually be doing

Akhtar recommends using a lint-free microfiber cloth as your baseline cleaning tool. For disinfecting, a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or a Clorox disinfecting wipe is generally safe for most modern smartphones - though it's worth double-checking your phone manufacturer's guidance to be sure.

The key technique is to wipe gently rather than scrub, and to make sure your phone is powered off first. Never apply liquid directly to the screen or body - dampen the cloth instead.

Don't forget your earbuds

Earbuds tend to collect earwax and debris in ways that are easy to ignore until audio quality starts suffering. A dry cotton swab or a soft-bristled brush works well for clearing out the speaker mesh, while a slightly damp cloth can handle the outer surfaces. Again, keep liquids away from any openings.

For in-ear tips made of silicone, those can usually be removed and washed gently with mild soap and water - just make sure they're completely dry before popping them back on.

Make it a habit

The real takeaway here isn't just the technique - it's the reminder that your phone and earbuds deserve regular attention. A quick wipe-down a couple of times a week takes less than a minute and keeps both your devices and your health in better shape. Given how much time these objects spend in contact with your face and hands, that's a habit worth building.

Think of it like washing your hands - small, consistent effort that adds up to a meaningful difference.