Samsung electronics need just a few simple items to keep them clean and working at their best. Distilled water and a microfiber cloth are all you need to clean your Samsung devices well before disinfecting them.

Introduction

Germs accumulate on our electronic devices, especially smartphones and other devices with touchscreens. One University of Arizona study found that our smartphones are dirtier than toilets! Besides grime like sweat and makeup, electronic devices harbor such pathogens as E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. Keeping them clean is a must and takes just a little caution.

Each electronics brand has its own cleaning recommendations. Some recommend paper towels, lens cleaner, or disinfecting wipes. Samsung, however, recommends cleaning their screened electronics devices with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. When that isn’t enough, adding some distilled water is usually enough to remove fingerprints and smudges. After cleaning, some devices may be disinfected with hypochlorous acid. These cleaning recommendations are specifically for devices with screens, not for remotes, earbuds, or keyboards.

Benefits of Microfiber Technology

Compared to cotton cloths, microfiber technology allows superfine fibers to pick up bacteria, dust, and oils. It has a mild positive charge which makes microfiber cleaning cloths ideal for electronic devices. They remove dirt and grime from hard surfaces without the addition of chemicals. 

Benefits of Distilled Water

Distilled water is purified of all contaminants like biological impurities, organic and inorganic compounds, and all minerals. Distilled water is useful for cleaning limescale from appliances, and rinsing residue from your hair, and it’s a must for medical devices like CPAP machines. The lack of minerals also makes it ideal for cleaning your Samsung electronics. Paired with microfiber it usually is enough to remove even stubborn residue. Distilled water is inexpensive and readily available by the gallon in most supermarkets. If you find that you are using distilled water for more than occasionally cleaning electronics, like for medical devices, you might prefer to buy a countertop distiller so you always have a supply available.

Benefits of Hypochlorous Acid

Microfiber cleaning cloths and distilled water will clean your devices well, but don’t disinfect them because no chemicals are used that are effective at killing viruses. On some devices, Samsung recommends using hypochlorous acid or 70% isopropyl alcohol for disinfection. Hypochlorous acid is safe and effective, even at low concentrations, and has been used for years in medical facilities, food service, and pool maintenance. It tends to be unstable and becomes less effective within days or weeks of production, so it’s important to use it quickly. Because of this instability, it isn’t commonly found for retail sales. Fortunately, you may generate your own endless supply with a hypochlorous acid generator for home use.

When cleaning your Samsung devices, avoid chemicals such as bleach-base products, ammonia, or vinegar. Also avoid abrasive products, paper towels, and usually compressed air. 

Let’s look at some popular Samsung devices and how you can use distilled water to help keep them looking new. 

Samsung Smartphones

Samsung smartphones have an oleophobic coating on the screens which helps prevent fingerprints by repelling oils. It’s important to maintain this coating for the best performance.

Steps to clean your Samsung smartphone:

• Wash and dry your hands
• Unplug the phone from any power source
• Power down the smartphone
• Remove the case and any other accessories
• Wipe the smartphone gently with a dry microfiber cloth
• If there is still debris or smudges, lightly dampen a corner of the microfiber cloth with distilled water and wipe again
• If the phone also needs to be disinfected, lightly dampen a corner of the microfiber cloth with either hypochlorous acid (50-80 ppm) or 70% isopropyl alcohol and wipe down the phone again
• Finally, wipe again with a clean, dry microfiber cloth

Tips

• Don’t spray any liquids directly onto the phone
• Apply only a small amount of the distilled water or disinfectant to the microfiber cloth
• Avoid any excess moisture or pressure on the phone
• Avoid moisture around the ports

Samsung Tablets

Cleaning for Samsung tablets is very similar to smartphones.

Steps to clean your Samsung tablet

• Wash and dry your hands
• Unplug the phone from any power source
• Power down the tablet
• Remove the case and any other accessories
• Wipe the tablet gently with a dry microfiber cloth
• If there is still debris or smudges, lightly dampen a corner of the microfiber cloth with distilled water and wipe again
• If the tablet also needs to be disinfected, lightly dampen a corner of the microfiber cloth with either hypochlorous acid (50-80 ppm) or 70% isopropyl alcohol and wipe down the tablet again
• Finally, wipe again with a clean, dry microfiber cloth

Tips

• Don’t spray any liquids directly onto the tablet
• Apply only a small amount of the distilled water or disinfectant to the microfiber cloth
• Avoid any excess moisture or pressure on the tablet
• Avoid moisture around the ports

Samsung TVs

TV screens and monitors carry a mild positive charge, which tends to attract dust and show fingerprints, which leads to a poor viewing experience. Excess dust can also get inside the TV and shorten its life.

Steps to clean your Samsung TV:

• Disconnect the power cord
• Allow the TV to cool down
• Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the frame
• Use a dry microfiber cloth and very lightly wipe the screen
• If there is still debris or smudges, lightly dampen the microfiber cloth with distilled water or a commercial screen cleaner and gently wipe again
• Once the TV is completely dry, reconnect the power cord

Tips

• Don’t handle the power cord with wet hands
• Use a very light touch on the screen to avoid damage
• Don’t spray any liquid directly on the TV
• Apply only a small amount of the distilled water or screen cleaner to the microfiber cloth

Samsung Computer Monitors

Computer monitors are similar to TV screens, but not quite as sensitive. Samsung does permit the use of some additional cleaning products. 

Steps to clean your Samsung computer monitor:

• Disconnect the power cord
• Allow the monitor to cool down
• Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the frame
• Use a dry microfiber cloth and lightly wipe the screen
• You may also use compressed air to remove dust from the monitor
• If there is still debris or smudges, lightly dampen the microfiber cloth with distilled water and gently wipe again
• If that is not enough, lightly dampen the microfiber cloth with an even mixture of distilled water and distilled white vinegar, then gently wipe again
• Once the monitor is completely dry, reconnect the power cord

Tips

• Don’t handle the power cord with wet hands
• Use a very light touch on the screen to avoid damage
• Don’t spray any liquid directly on the monitor
• Apply only a small amount of the distilled water, with or without vinegar, to the microfiber cloth

Samsung Galaxy Watches

Clean your Samsung Galaxy watch regularly, after exercising, and if you begin to notice skin irritation. 

Steps to clean your Samsung Galaxy watch:

• Remove straps
• Wipe the watch with a dry microfiber cloth
• If there is still debris or smudges, lightly dampen a corner of the microfiber cloth with distilled water and wipe again
• If the watch also needs to be disinfected, lightly dampen a corner of the microfiber cloth with either hypochlorous acid (50-80 ppm) or 70% isopropyl alcohol and wipe down the watch again
• Finally, wipe again with a clean, dry microfiber cloth
• Wipe leather bands with a dry microfiber cloth
• Wipe silicone bands with a microfiber cloth dampened with distilled water

Tips

• Don’t spray any liquids directly onto the watch
• Apply only a small amount of the distilled water or disinfectant to the microfiber cloth
• Avoid any excess moisture on the watch
• Allow it to dry completely before replacing the straps
• Wash and dry your wrist well before wearing the watch

Final Thoughts

Electronics need just a little regular care to keep them clean and working well. Devices with touchscreens are especially dirty. Samsung’s recommendations include lint-free cloths, like microfiber, distilled water if needed, and a gentle touch. Distilled water’s lack of minerals leaves no residue which makes it ideal for cleaning all types of electronics when used lightly.