While we frequently wipe down our phones, protect them with cases and screen protector, and panic if they become dirty, when was the last time you took a look at the charging port on your phone? Charging ports, although often overlooked, have the tendency to accumulate dirt, dust, and other unwelcome particles that are not only unsightly, but can cause real problems over time, such as damaging your phone and decreasing its lifespan. Fortunately, however, cleaning the charging port on your phone is quick and easy if you know what to do.
And while you’re thinking about keeping your phone clean, don’t forget to think about keeping it safe too! Phones are expensive purchases, and purchasing a product protection plan can ensure that your phone is protected in case an accident happens. Subscribe to Mulberry Unlimited for coverage on all your electronics and online purchases under the same product protection plan.
Here’s what you need to know about how to clean the charging port on your phone:
How to clean an iPhone charging port
Here are the steps you should follow to keep your iPhone charging port clean:
1. Collect your cleaning materials
First, it’s important to gather the materials you’ll use for cleaning your charging port. Fortunately, most of these materials can likely be found around your house. Here are the materials you’ll need to clean your charging port:
- Cotton ball
- Wooden toothpick
- Compressed air
- Isopropyl alcohol
- A flat, clean surface where you can work
2. Shut down your phone
Before beginning to clean your charging port, turn off your phone. Anytime you’re cleaning your phone, it’s important to power it off to avoid any accidents or injuries.
3. Wrap cotton around toothpick
Next, take a small piece of cotton from your cotton ball, lay your toothpick down in the center, and gently twist to wrap the cotton around the toothpick. Once the cotton has been secured to the end of the toothpick, flip the toothpick over and repeat at the other end with another piece of cotton. This will be the tool you’ll use to complete most of the cleaning.
4. Blow compressed air into the port
Grab your can of compressed air, point the end into your charging point, and use the nozzle to blow air into the port in 2 second bursts. It’s important not to blow air into the nozzle in too long of intervals, or you could damage your phone.
5. Use the toothpick to clean the port
Now, use your cotton-covered toothpick to gently collect debris from within the port. Remember to be gentle–you don’t want to accidentally damage your port. If needed, carefully and lightly dip the end of your toothpick into some of the isopropyl alcohol and then use that end to collect stubborn debris from within the port.
6. Spray again
Finally, use the compressed air to spray away any remaining debris in your charging port. Remember not to spray in more than 2 second bursts!
What to do if there’s liquid in your charging port
As a smartphone user, it’s also important to know what to do if you get liquid in your charging port. Here’s how to get liquid out of a charging port:
- First, and most importantly, power off your phone and dry it as thoroughly as possible.
- Hold your phone vertically with the charging port end down, and gently tap it to remove any free water inside of your phone (be careful not to do this in the wrong direction, as water could become even more lodged into your phone).
- Next, allow your phone to dry completely. This could take 5 hours or more, and it’s important to be sure your charging port is completely dry before powering it back on.
- Finally, use compressed air if needed to speed up the drying process or remove any remaining water.
Final thoughts
While keeping your charging port clean is an important part of keeping your phone in good condition, don’t forget to think about product protection too! Although we try our best to keep our devices and other purchases safe, unfortunately, accidents are a part of life, and it’s important to be prepared for the worst.
Subscribe to Mulberry Unlimited for product protection on all your electronic devices and more under the same plan. It's the most comprehensive protection available, so you'll always be covered.
