Phone Got Wet? Don't Put It in Rice: Expert Explains What to Do

Smartphones and other smart devices are not household appliances, and their surfaces and openings, while designed for daily use, cannot withstand every cleaning method imaginable. Marijonas Baltušis, head of smart devices at "Telia," emphasizes that cleaning agents for kitchen tables are unsuitable for screen coatings or camera lenses. The key is to remove dirt as gently as possible.

A common mistake is spraying cleaning solutions directly onto screens. While this may seem convenient for achieving a shiny surface, the liquid can seep into connectors, speaker openings, or other structural areas. A safer approach involves using a soft, clean microfiber cloth, slightly dampened only if the manufacturer's instructions permit. Furthermore, not all household cleaners are safe for electronics. Window cleaners, all-purpose surface cleaners, or other aggressive chemicals can damage the screen's surface coatings. Even disinfectants should only be used if their composition and application method align with the device manufacturer's recommendations.

Baltušis stresses that screen cleanliness is not a beauty contest. A few fingerprints are better left alone than attempting to achieve sterile shine with increasingly potent agents. Special care is needed for devices with protective coatings, which are not permanent and can wear down not from use, but from improper maintenance. The camera lens is another often-neglected area. Touching the lens with fingers leaves a layer of grease, potentially reducing photo contrast and causing reflections or unwanted flares. Before blaming the camera for poor image quality, simply cleaning the lens with a soft microfiber cloth is recommended.

Using paper tissues or kitchen towels to clean a screen might seem simple, but their coarser fibers can leave behind small particles and cause micro-scratches from vigorous rubbing. If sand or other hard particles are present on the screen, rubbing can effectively "sand" the surface. Therefore, it's advisable to first remove visible dust and then gently wipe the screen with a microfiber cloth. Excessive pressure is unnecessary and will not make the screen cleaner. Baltušis also notes that dirt tends to accumulate unnoticed in device connectors. Lint and dust in USB-C ports can lead to poor cable connections or a loose fit over time. However, he warns against using needles, paper clips, or toothpicks for mechanical cleaning, as this can damage the connector contacts.