1. Reaching for paper towels or tissues
They feel soft, but wood-based paper products are abrasive under a microscope and leave fine scratches plus a trail of lint. Use a microfiber cloth instead — it’s the only material that should regularly touch your screen.
2. Spraying liquid directly on the screen
Spray onto the cloth, never the glass. Liquid sprayed on the screen runs to the edges and can seep into the display, speaker grilles, and charging port — exactly where you don’t want moisture.
3. Using window or household cleaner
Ammonia- and alcohol-heavy household cleaners (and many glass cleaners) strip the oleophobic coating that repels fingerprints. Once it’s gone, your screen smudges more easily and looks permanently hazy. Plain distilled water or a diluted isopropyl alcohol mix is far safer.
4. Scrubbing hard at a stubborn mark
Pressing harder doesn’t help and can push grit across the surface. Let a barely-damp cloth sit on the spot for a few seconds to loosen it, then wipe gently.
5. Cleaning with the screen on and unlocked
Wiping a live screen opens apps, sends half-typed messages and changes settings without you noticing. Turn the device off first — or use Screen Cleaner to black out the display and block every touch while you wipe.
6. Using a dirty or gritty cloth
A microfiber cloth that’s picked up sand or grit becomes sandpaper. Keep a dedicated cloth for screens, and wash it occasionally (no fabric softener, which clogs the fibers).
7. Forgetting the case and camera
Grime hides in your case and around the camera lens, then transfers back to the screen. Wipe the case and a gentle pass over the lens whenever you do a full clean.
Screens don’t usually die from one mistake — they wear down from the same small, avoidable habit, day after day.
Avoid mistake #5 entirely with a screen that ignores your touch while you clean.
Open Screen Cleaner