How to Clean a Phone Case: Top 6 Methods to Try

When you finally find your perfect phone case, you don’t want a bit of dirt, yellow stains, or general wear and tear to get in the way. So make sure to give your phone case some consistent TLC with regular cleaning. 

Need help with how to do that? No problem. Choose from the six cleaning methods below, and you’ll soon see your case as good as new.

Baking Soda 

Before panicking that your dirty case needs extreme cleaning with more dangerous substances like bleach, consider baking soda first. When you combine baking soda with water, it can dissolve grease and dirt. So check your cupboards for some baking soda and get started.

1. Take your empty phone case and lie it down on a towel - this nifty hack can get messy, so if you don’t have a towel make sure you’re aware that whatever your phone sits on will get a bit dirty.
2. Starting with one side, sprinkle the baking soda to cover the phone casing.
3. Get your spare toothbrush (don’t use one you plan to clean your teeth with) and wet the toothbrush head. 
4. Using the spare toothbrush, gently scrub the baking soda. Don’t lose faith if it doesn’t make an immediate difference; you want the rub the powder in until it becomes more like a paste. 
5. Scrub the baking soda in circular motions, especially in areas with heavier stains. Add more water to the toothbrush as needed for these harder-to-clean areas.
6. When you’ve finished scrubbing that side, use running water to rinse the baking soda away. 
7. Turn the phone over and repeat the process. 
8. Before drying, rinse all of the baking soda away. 
9. Dry the phone case with a microfiber cloth (or a clean, soft cloth if you don’t have one). 
10. Leave the phone case to air dry entirely before you refit it to your phone. 

Dish Soap 

Sometimes you don’t have to hunt to the back of your cupboards to find baking soda. Soap defeats viruses and physically inactivates them, meaning they lose their power to spread. So when cleaning your phone to remove dirt, grease, and germs, old-school dish soap and warm water will do the trick. 

1. In the sink or a container, combine warm water with a couple of drops of dish soap until you have a soapy bath for your phone case.
2. Using a spare toothbrush (again, don’t use one you clean your teeth with), and start scrubbing the nooks and crannies of your empty phone case. 
3. As you clean, dunk your phone case into the soapy bath to give it a more thorough clean. 
4. Once you’ve cleaned as much as you need, rinse the soap suds and grime under running water. 
5. Towel dry your case using a microfiber cloth or clean towel. 
6. Air dry your phone case until completely dry before reapplying it to the phone. If you don’t wait, you could accidentally cause water damage to your phone, so be patient. 

White Vinegar (With Baking Soda!)

The white vinegar method is another handy hack for those who might have this ingredient lying around in their house alongside baking soda. With phones being ten times dirtier than toilet seats, it’s unsurprising that this method, which also bids goodbye to limescale, is a favorite for those looking to get their phone case spick and span. This method is excellent for especially yellow-stained cases to help restore their shine.

1. First, find a bowl or small container that'll be big enough to fit your case inside. Then place your phone case inside. 
2. You’ll next need to find something small and heavy to put on top. However, it’s paramount you don’t use any rubber or metal material to prevent corrosion. 
3. Take two tablespoons of baking soda and sprinkle it over the case, followed by a gentle pouring of one cup of white distilled vinegar. At first, the solution will fizz but don’t panic - this is a good sign as it's part of the cleaning method.
4. If the case isn’t fully submerged, pour more vinegar if needed.
5. Leave the case to soak for a couple of hours. Patience is vital to a good clean with this method.
6. Rinse the case until you remove the white vinegar/baking soda solution.  
7. Dry the phone case with a microfiber cloth, then leave to air dry. 
8. Once completely dry, you can slide your phone back into its protective casing. 

Eraser 

Not every phone is yellow and stained. You can remove any dark marks with a standard eraser if yours has scuffs. 

1. Make sure your eraser is clean. If it’s had a bit of use already, but you don’t want to buy another one, you can cut away the dirty parts of the eraser with scissors until you get to the shiny new area. 
2. Before running the eraser along your phone case, ensure it’s a plain, white eraser. Those with colors might mark your phone case and offer the opposite effect.
3. Rub away any marks with the eraser until you’re satisfied. 

Toothpaste

If toothpaste is good enough to clean your teeth, why wouldn’t it also be good enough for your phone? Ensure you have a spare toothbrush for this method and some toothpaste (no particular brand/type is needed).

1. Get your toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a small cup of water. Lie your empty phone case on a towel to avoid making a mess. 
2. Apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste directly onto your phone case. 
3. Dip your toothbrush into your cup of water, then scrub the toothpaste in any location you want to clean until all the yellow stains or dirt have gone. 
4. Rinse your phone case until the water removes all the toothpaste.
5. Wipe your case down with a microfiber cloth, then leave to air dry.  

Rubbing Alcohol 

Rubbing alcohol is an excellent solution if you want to disinfect your phone and clean it, as the alcohol will kill germs and leave a dazzling shine. It’s important to note that rubbing alcohol isn’t suitable for every phone case material, so check your phone case’s care instructions before applying to avoid discoloration. 

1. Get your rubbing alcohol and apply a small amount to a microfiber cloth via a spray bottle. Alternatively, you can use alcohol wipes.
2. Wipe your empty case with the solution/wipes on both sides of the case. Don’t forget the charging port hole and the corners of the case. 
3. With a clean microfiber cloth, remove the alcohol residue. Typically, rubbing alcohol dries quickly, so this step won’t take long. 
4. Leave the case to air dry for a few hours before reuniting it with your phone. 

Phone Past the Point of No Return? Buy a Casely Phone Case Instead!

While these six methods are tried and tested, your case may be beyond cleaning repair. 

If that’s the case, don’t despair — discover Casely’s vast selection of unique phone cases to suit any style or mood. And if you fancy more than one, why not? Treat yourself.