No clear phone case is truly smudge-proof, but you can get very close. A matte or frosted finish scatters light so fingerprints blend in, an oleophobic (oil-repelling) coating makes oil easier to wipe away, and a quick microfibre wipe-down keeps the case looking clear. Silicone and soft TPU cases also tend to show marks and attract lint more than harder plastics, so the material matters too.
Here’s how to choose, and care for, a clear iPhone case that stays cleaner for longer.
Finally, a basic microfibre cloth wipe-down is also a big help and will keep your clear phone case looking clean for far longer.
Have you ever bought a brand-new clear phone case, only for it to look like an oil painting after a few hours? How do you actually stop those fingerprints from appearing? What's the best way to clean a clear case once it gets dirty?
Key Takeaways
- Fingerprints are primarily caused by oil (sebum) that comes out of the skin, and clear cases tend to highlight this.
- Oleophobic coating will help to repel oils and make fingerprints easier to clean.
- Matte (frosted) finishes are better at disguising smudges than glossy.
- The truth is, no coating is going to be 100% oil-proof. It will just make fingerprints less obvious.
- A wipe-down with a soft cloth is a huge help in keeping your clear plastic phone case clean.
- Aggressive cleaning solutions can actually ruin your coating.
Let's take a closer look at why clear cases tend to get dirty so easily and what you can do about it.
Why Clear Cases Always Seem to Get Dirtier
Your Skin Naturally Produces Oil Called Sebum
This is actually a good thing; it stops your skin from drying out. However, skin sebum can sometimes come out of your pores and leave greasy marks on whatever you've touched.
Every time you touch your phone, this can leave behind some of this oil and sweat on your case. Sunscreen, lotions, and creams can also make matters worse.
On a glossy, smooth case, oil sits on the surface as a thin film that reflects light evenly, so each fingerprint shows up as a bright, defined mark. A matte surface breaks that reflection up, which is why the same oil is far less visible on a frosted case.
Clear Cases Make This Even More Obvious
Because clear cases are transparent, there is not much to hide fingerprints and oily marks. Even a phone case with a design or pattern can make these marks stand out under bright lighting, while a coloured case can hide them more easily.
It is not that clear cases are more likely to become oily. They simply make smudges easier to see. If you want to stop fingerprint problems with clear cases, choosing a matte or frosted finish and cleaning the case regularly can help.
What Is Oleophobic Coating?
The name might sound complicated, but 'oleophobic' simply means something that repels oil.
This is a thin coating that you apply to a surface to prevent oily substances from sticking. You might be familiar with oleophobic coatings if you have an iPhone, as Apple uses a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on its screens to prevent fingerprints.
This is the same kind of coating that makes it so easy to wipe away fingerprints on your screen.
How Do Oleophobic Coatings Stop Fingerprints?
Imagine you've got some excess water on your car, and instead of trying to wipe it off or get your whole car washed, you put on some wax
This wax will make the water bead up and make it far easier to remove.
Oleophobic coatings kind of work in the same way, but with oil.
When oil gets on a glossy, smooth surface like a clear phone case, it will tend to spread across the surface and pool up. This means the light gets bounced around in different directions, making it really obvious.
With an oleophobic coating phone case, the effect of this is reduced, as this coating makes it harder for the oil to spread out.
The result of this is that fingerprints will appear less obvious and will be easier to wipe away.
Smudge-Proof Clear Phone Case: Can an Oleophobic Coating Prevent Fingerprints Altogether?
A case with an oleophobic coating may slightly reduce the visibility of fingerprints, but it will not completely eliminate them.
You have to keep this in mind when purchasing a clear phone case. While an oleophobic coating will lessen the presence of fingerprints, it will not completely get rid of them.
The International Journal of Polymer Science (2018) states that an oleophobic coating will have a small impact on the reaction of fingerprints to a surface. The texture of the surface plays a greater role in this.
Because of this, a matte (frosted) clear case will also help hide fingerprints. We will go over this in more detail now.
Glossy vs Matte: Which Finish Hides Smudges Best?
| Feature | Glossy clear | Matte or frosted clear |
|---|---|---|
| How it looks | Shiny and reflective | Dull and less reflective |
| Fingerprints | Easy to see | Much less obvious |
| With an oleophobic coat | Easier to remove | Even less obvious |
| Colour accuracy | Clearer colours | Subtle appearance |
| Best for | Showing the phone's true colour | Reducing visible fingerprints |
The difference between a matte and glossy plastic case is the way light is reflected. A glossy case will reflect light in a very predictable way, whereas a matte case will scatter it to give a less obvious sheen.
This means if any oil (and therefore fingerprints) gets on a glossy surface case, the effect of it will be much more noticeable. This is because the light is being reflected in predictable ways, as opposed to being scattered.
A 2018 study also found that rough surfaces can help reduce the visibility of fingerprints through a process known as "optical masking".
Put simply, a glossy case will cause your fingerprints to stand out far more than a matte one will.
When it comes to choosing between a glossy or matte phone case, it really depends on what you're looking for. If you want to show off your iPhone's original colour as clearly as possible, then a glossy clear case may make more sense as it'll give you the best clarity.
If you're bothered about fingerprints and want to reduce their visibility, then a frosted clear case may be a better option for you.
You can compare the two options in our crystal-clear vs frosted case: what looks better on a titanium iPhone guide.
How to Stop Fingerprints on a Clear Case: Step by Step
1. Choose the Right Case
Choosing the right case is half the battle in reducing fingerprints.
When looking for a clear case, look out for phone cases with an oleophobic coating or anti-fingerprint properties. You should also consider a matte or frosted finish if you don't want your fingerprints to show.
Hard polycarbonate cases are also good for reducing fingerprints, as this material is harder than TPU, meaning there's a better surface for the oleophobic coating. If in doubt, check out our guide to polycarbonate vs TPU cases.
2. Wipe It Daily With Microfiber
You don't have to purchase an expensive cleaner for this. A microfiber cloth should do the trick.
Keep one in your bag, your car, or at your workstation. This way, you can quickly wipe down your clear phone case daily to remove fingerprints. A quick wipe down every day will prevent fingerprints from getting embedded in your case and will keep your case looking clear.
3. Deep Clean Once a Week
A quick wipe-down helps, but you'll have to do a deep cleaning of your case once in a while. For this, take your phone out of your case and wash your case in warm, soapy water.
Gently wash the case with a drop of mild dish soap and warm water, rinse it under lukewarm water, then pat it dry with a microfibre cloth. Let it air-dry completely before putting your phone back in. You don't want to put your phone in a wet case because this can cause water to get trapped in the case and can potentially damage your phone.
4. Use Alcohol Sparingly
There are some situations where alcohol may be useful for disinfecting your phone. Apple recommends using a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe on some hard surfaces but make sure you don't use this on your phone case on a daily basis, as it can degrade some of the coating.
Apple also cautions that cleaning agents and abrasive materials may diminish the effectiveness of oleophobic coatings. Thus, although alcohol disinfectant wipes could be handy, it is advisable to avoid using them and rather stick to wiping with a microfibre cloth and some soapy water.
5. Think Twice About DIY Coating Kits
You may have seen some DIY coating kits online. These typically come in the form of sprays and are designed to protect some hard surfaces, like glass, against fingerprints.
They can be useful, but bear in mind that they're typically designed for glass and may not offer the same protection for your clear plastic case.
The coating may also not stick to your phone case as well as it would to glass, and it may also wear off quicker. If you're going to give it a go, make sure you clean the surface first and follow the instructions carefully.
Some products also recommend leaving the coating for several hours (or overnight) to cure.
Test it on a small patch of your case first to see how it reacts, and don't be tempted to use it as a permanent solution for fingerprints on plastic cases.
Smudge-Proof Clear Phone Case: How to Make Your Coating Last Longer
No matter how good your coating is, over time it will start to degrade. There are some things you can do to help prevent this from happening, though, such as avoiding using harsh cleaning products and avoiding wearing your case in excessively hot conditions.
Avoid Strong Cleaners
Unless the product instructions say otherwise, avoid using bleach, ammonia, window cleaner or any strong solvents on your phone's case. Make sure you stick to using mild soap and some warm water for regular cleaning.
Be Careful What You Wipe With
While it might seem like a good idea, avoid wiping your phone case with paper towels or tissues, as they can be more abrasive than you think. Similarly, avoid rubbing your phone case against your clothes or jeans, as this can cause tiny flecks of lint or fibre to come off and scratch the surface of your case.
Wiping your phone case on your clothes every now and again won't cause any damage, but doing this daily will wear the case down. A microfibre cloth is a far better option for regular cleaning.
Keep Your Case Away from Too Much Heat
Heat isn't particularly good for clear cases (or the oleophobic coating). Avoid leaving your case in direct sunlight for long periods of time and try not to leave it in your car on a hot day either. Too much heat can also cause some clear cases to yellow over time.
Be Careful with Sunscreen and Lotion
Sunscreen, moisturiser and hand cream can all be greasier than the natural oils in your skin, meaning they can leave more stubborn marks on your case.
If you've just applied any of these products, consider wiping away any excess oil before touching your phone. This will help reduce the number of greasy fingerprints you leave on your case.
Quick Checklist
| Task | Do this | Avoid this |
|---|---|---|
| Daily cleaning | Use a microfibre cloth | Paper towels or clothing |
| Weekly cleaning | Mild dish soap and warm water | Window cleaner, bleach and other strong cleaners |
| Disinfecting | Occasional 70% isopropyl wipe | Daily alcohol scrubbing |
| Buying a case | Look for an oleophobic coating or matte finish | Uncoated glossy plastic |
| Storage | Keep it somewhere cool and shaded | Hot cars and direct sunlight |
Looking for the Thinnest iPhone Case That Still Hides Fingerprints?
If you want the thinnest iPhone case without turning your phone into a fingerprint magnet, a matte finish is the best place to start. Our super ultra-thin cases keep the profile minimal, and a matte surface helps oil marks blend in day to day.
If you’d rather choose a material that disguises marks naturally, our premium leather cases develop an even, lived-in look instead of showing fingerprints, and our carbon fibre cases use a textured weave that helps disguise marks while staying slim.
Conclusion
There are several ways to reduce the appearance of fingerprints on your clear phone case. Matte and frosted cases will still attract fingerprints but much less noticeably compared to glossy cases. A glossy case with an oleophobic coating will still attract fingerprints but will be much easier to clean.
Either way, fingerprints will still show up on your case. To avoid this, you should make it a habit to clean your case weekly and keep a microfiber cloth to quickly wipe your phone case.
Before you purchase a new case, make sure it has an oleophobic coating or matte finish.
When you're ready, take a look at our slim range of Sleek Cases, including the Crystal Clear option, and check out the product descriptions for more information about the finish and coating of each case.
Sources and Further Reading
- Apple Support: Cleaning your
- Apple Support: How to clean your Apple products
- Luda, M. P. et al. (2018). Evaluation of Antifingerprint Properties of Plastic Surfaces Used in Automotive Components. International Journal of Polymer Science.
