Got Sticky-Fingered Kids? You Need This 3-Ingredient DIY Electronic Screen Cleaner Recipe (2024)

YUCK. That’s the only way to describe the screens on our electronic devices!

With millions of germs hiding on the surface, our beloved touch screen devices are a literal germ haven!

Especially when our kiddos get a hold of them.

Now I love my kiddos, but let’s just say that even this “wash-your-hands”-preaching mama doesn’t always know where her kiddos hands have been.

And it shows in their dirty cell phones, music players and tablets. And, for that matter, on mine when their fingers get all over them.

And, yes, we moms add to the cell phone screen gunk too with our makeup-wearing cheeks and texting fingers as we’re cooking dinner!

No matter what, it’s safe to assume that our electronic devices regularly need a good cleaning, right?! More than just a simple wipe on the front of a t-shirt.

Oh friends, have I got a great solution for you!

We need a electronic screen cleaner that:

powerfully kills germs without damaging the screen’s finish
removes oily smudges (and those unmentionable crusty parts)
is portable and available in a moment’s notice
is inexpensive and easy to put together
natural and made with everyday ingredients
is easy (and safe) for kids to use

Honestly, I was surprised at how few electronic screen cleaner options are available.

I found a few on Amazon, but I wasn’t sure of the ingredients, and phew—they cost around $9 for apack of 12 disposable electronic wipes, or $18a bottle for a spray/cloth combo! Yikes!

That's when I did a little online research and came up with my own all-natural DIY screen cleaner.

It’s cheap (costs pennies to make!)
It’s portable (you can carry it in your purse!)
It uses only three easy-to-find ingredients
It’s safe for screens
And… it works!!

Want the recipe? Of course you do!

In fact, you’ll want to make bottles of it for your kids! You’ll be passing it around at street corners! You’ll be giving it as Christmas gifts! (Ok, maybe not as Christmas gifts or the street corner thing… but I think you’ll agree that it’s pretty stinking awesome!)

First, I want to share 6important safety tips for cleaning your electronic screens.

Because face it—you don’t want to damage your $700 iPhone because you cleaned it wrong, do you?!

I was most surprised by tip number 3… (click next!)

I did some online digging (on reputable sites like PCWorld,HowtoGeek.comand LifeHacker.com) for what the experts say on how to safely clean an electronic screen.

6Important Tips for Safely Cleaning Your Cell Phone Screen

1) Never spray directly on the screen itself (always spray on a cloth first, then wipe).

2) Use a microfiber cloth to clean (paper-based products like paper towels can scratch the screen).

3) Don’t use rubbing alcohol (it can damage the finish).

This was the one that surprised me the most! Who knew?! Also add to this list: window cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, or other abrasives.

4) Take off any protective covers before you clean(so that no liquid is potentially trapped).

5) To be extra safe, remove the battery from the back of the device before you clean.

6) Don’t use a cleaning spray if there are any cracks in the screen.

Watch here as I demonstrate how to properly clean a cell phone screen (subscribe):

Alright, so I didn’t take out my battery from the back (an added precaution), but you get the gist of how this works, right?

Once I first developed this three-ingredient, all natural formula, I couldn’t stop myself from running through the house cleaning screens! It was crazy fun!

Curious about what’s in this amazing three-ingredient DIY electronic screen cleaner?

DIY Cell Phone Screen Cleaner

Ingredients:

a little less than 2 oz. water

a little less than 2 oz. white vinegar

20 drops Immune Strength Essential Oil Blend

…and that's it!

Turns out that equal parts of water and white vinegar are an effective, mild cleaner that will remove the gunk without damaging an electronic screen.

And the Immune Strength Essential Oil Blend (buy it here online from Rocky Mountain Oils) turns this simple screen cleaner into an powerful way to boost your immune system and protect your body from germs.

In fact, for centuries, the herbs used in this blend (Clove Bud, Cinnamon Bark, Lemon, Orange, Oregano, Red Mandarin, Thyme, Rosemary, Nutmeg, Ginger Root, and Eucalyptus) have been usedto help people fight off many diseases, including the plague.

As moms, we want to make sure that we're doing everything we can to minimize the spread of germs, right?!That's why the Immune Strength Essential Oil blendis an incredibly important part of this spray.

Plus Immune Strength'sspicy-citrus scent (that reminds you of Christmastime) adds a nice scent when you're cleaning your screen.

You'll also need these items:

2 oz glass spray bottles(dark glass protects the integrity of the essential oils)

microfiber cloth(remember–no paper products!)

Both of these are sold in packs of 6.

And let's face it–you're going to need several bottles! You'll want to teach your kids how to (properly and regularly) clean the screens on their electronic devices and even give them their own bottle.

Plus you'll want to have several bottles of this screen cleaner stashed all over the place so it's handy when one of your electronic screens needs a cleaning! I store the cloth and bottle together in a plastic ziploc bag in my purse.

NOTE:Be sure to shake the bottle each time before you spray (to make sure that everything stays mixed).

Adventures in Cell Phone Spray Cleaning

Turns out that if you want to get your kids attention, start talking to them about something that affects their electronic devices.

After I showed mymy 13-year-old tech-loving son how to clean his beloved iPod with the DIY screen spray, he said, “Whoa, Mom. This thing is clean. Seriously, there’s been this mark on there like a year that I haven’t been able to get out, and it’s gone!”

(Yuck. I didn't need to know that.)

He ran off to find me more devices (and to alert his brother and sister of the magic of the spray).

A few minutes later my eleven-year-old tween was giddy with excitement too. “My screen… “ hesaid, with no small amount of amazement,“it’s so… smooth!! Finally!!”

I didn’t want to know how long things had been “less than smooth” on his screen… again, trying to delete that “way too many germs in our home” thought.

Then they started bringing me all kinds of stuff to clean. Their laptops! Their tablets!

Holy cow! You’d think I was handing out stacks of candy bars or something!

Suddenly, I was the Willy Wonka of electronics as they were amazed at how this simple solution made their games and ability to connect with their friendsso much clearer!

The whole thing made me laugh… but later (as I was secretly cleaning my embarrassingly gross laptop screen) I found myself sharing their amazement and glee.

Ahhhh. A clean screen. Yep, it feels pretty dang good.