clean Archives

Upgrading your iPhone? 5 steps to take with your old phone before you sell it or give it away

There are lots of reasons you might want to sell your old phone. Perhaps you’ve upgraded early and still have a newer model phone worth a bit of money. Are you looking to switch from Android to iPhone? Tap or click here for a list of Androids you can trade in.

Sometimes we forget that our old phones are worth anything, and suddenly you have a drawer of phones collecting dust that you don’t know what to do with. Whatever the reason, if you have a phone lying around you, it may be worth some money.

But before you go to sell it, there are a few things you should consider first. Here are five steps to take before you turn in that phone for good.

1. Backup your device first

Our phones contain our entire lives in one place. Pictures, contacts and other important personal information are all stored on that one piece of technology. Losing it can be devastating. Prevent any lost data by backing up your device before you go to sell it. Here’s how:

On iPhone

Open Settings.
Tap your Name > iCloud.
Select iCloud Backup.
Turn on iCloud Backup.
Press Back Up This iPhone.

On Samsung

NOTE: These steps for for Android 12 and later.

Go to Settings, then tap Accounts and backup.
Under Samsung Cloud tap Back up data.
Select what you would like to back up, then tap Back up now.
Your data will be backed up. The time it takes will depend on how much data is being saved. Tap Done when finished.

On Google Pixel

Open the Settings app.
Select Google > Backup.
NOTE: If this is your first time, turn on Backup by Google One and follow the on-screen instructions.
Tap Back up now.

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Security tip: The right way to clean out your smartphone apps

The word audit usually drums up feelings of anxiety. Nobody wants others poking into their business. However, when it comes to your phone, an audit might be your best path to privacy.

The process is simple. Go through each of your apps and ask yourself one question: “Do I really need this?” Tap or click here for five apps you should delete from your device.

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Clean your keys

⌨️ Your keyboard needs cleaning — I can just tell (because mine does, too). Here are a few clever ways to get the job done.

Li’l vac: Oh, this thing is sweet — a little blue box that vacuums up crumbs, dirt, dust and glitter from between your keys. It has a detachable nozzle so you can use it on your desk, too, and it charges via USB. It’s 15% off ($10.70).
Li’l brush: “Sweep up” this retractable laptop brush from OXO, which makes useful stuff that lasts. It has a built-in microfiber pad for polishing your screen and a cap to keep the brush clean when you throw it in your bag.
Big can: Grab a can of air to clear out every nook and cranny with a miniature windstorm. I love this stuff, and it’s cheap. This one is 20% off ($7.99). Whoosh!

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Your desktop is a mess: Create a new folder with a name like “Clean up” or the date. Drop everything in there. When you have 5 minutes to spare, go through that folder. It’s kind of like that junk drawer in your kitchen.

3 apps to clean your messy house

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Spring cleaning is on the brain, but you have no idea where to start. Tech to the rescue!

Spruce up your kitchen with these 13 great products

Is your kitchen full of old, broken appliances, cracked cups and stained plates? Yep, it’s definitely time for a kitchen product makeover.

All it takes is a few matching sets, some space-saving items and this list of 13 outstanding products that promise to spruce up your kitchen.

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12 affordable things that save the day in the kitchen

Amazing appliances allow us to cook and reheat food quickly and easily. We enjoy the convenience of a refrigerator, freezer, microwave, oven and more to make culinary life effortless.

But no matter how great your kitchen is, there’s always room for improvement. If you’re ready to enhance your daily life, check out these finds guaranteed to save the day in the kitchen.

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SPF for your BFF (Beautiful Friendly Face)

As an Arizonan, I know a thing or two about sunscreen. Here’s my best tip: Wear it every day. Slather it on your face, ears and hands, minimum — any exposed skin. Here are my faves for any price point.

Bargain: Grab this two-pack of SPF 50 Banana Boat spray sunscreen ($13.62) to keep your skin safe and your hands clean. It’s sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and feels nice and light. It goes on super easily and even cools you off a little as you put it on. Pshhh! (Spray sound.)
Midrange: On your face, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen, but if you want to treat yourself, this cream from Coola ($25.84) is SPF 50, fragrance-free and has antioxidants. It feels a little like a serum when you first put it on, then it melts into your skin without a white cast.
Splurge: Until you look at the price per ounce! Turns out, the main reason people don’t wear sunscreen is that greasy feeling — so Supergoop! invented one that absorbs super fast. Put this massive jug ($68, or $3.78 per fluid ounce) by the door to remind you to put it on — it’ll last you the whole summer.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Air purifiers for every room

It’s spring, which means it’s allergy season (and no, I’m not pollen your leg). Here are five great air purifiers to keep what you’re breathing in fresh and clean.

Great budget purifier for smaller spaces, like your home office.
A highly rated model for bedrooms of all sizes.
This Coway model is considered top-of-the-line for larger or open-plan spaces.
This Clorox-brand purifier is perfect for a bigger living room or even a whole floor if you have multiple stories.
Even your car can get a refresh with this portable option (20% off!).

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Easy printer clean-up: Soak a piece of paper with rubbing alcohol (not too much — leave the edges dry), and run it through your printer’s roller to clean off the junk.

How to clean your filthy AirPods

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Do you know what you’re actually putting in your ears? Find out the dirty details in this short podcast.

Easy way to find and delete forgotten accounts

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Your lost account credentials could get you in a world of trouble — here’s how to clean them out. Plus, hold on tight! I answer your burning questions in a new Q&A segment.

Erase things from photos the easy way

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Perfect selfie ruined by photobombers? Here’s a way to clean that pic up in a snap, in 60 seconds.

How to juggle your many social media accounts - 3 strategies to manage your online presence

Thanks to social media, it’s easier than ever before to update your friends about your life. In a single post, you can let your whole network know what’s going on. If you want your posts to stand out, some simple photo editing techniques can do the trick.

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The best puzzles and toys to get your dog's mind working

Dogs love their humans unconditionally. You can see it in their eyes as they gaze up at you and in the excited wag of their tails. Since the average lifespan of your furry friend is only about a decade, don’t you owe them the best life has to offer?

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Android touchscreen acting up? Here's how to troubleshoot it

Most of us have at least a few touchscreen devices on hand at a time. Whether it’s a touchscreen laptop, your smartphone, a tablet or some other gadget, it’s common for tech these days to be touch and play.

It’s also common for those touchscreens to be finicky and unresponsive at times. Touchscreens can stop working suddenly or have issues just like any other device component. When it happens, it can be pretty frustrating — or even render your device useless.

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New computer? Here are 4 things you should do right away

Picking out a new computer can be tough. With so many features to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Don’t worry, just click here for a list of the things you should look into before choosing your next computer.

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4 ways to order groceries online and how to safely unpack them

In the time of social distancing, it’s well-advised to stay in. Still, there are essentials we can’t go without. If you’re older or have an underlying health condition, even going to the grocery store can feel risky during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Complete guide to sanitizing your tech: Phones, laptops, computers, tablets

Our electronic devices are used almost daily, meaning they can get downright nasty. Our screens get smudged, our keyboards collect dust and that dry cloth we use to wipe things down doesn’t seem to have much effect.

Knowing how to clean our tech is one of the many ways we can control the spread of germs in our homes. And right now, knowing how to sanitize things should be a top priority.

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5 ways to fix an Android phone that won't charge

It always happens at the wrong time, right? You’re on your way to an important meeting or you’re running late to pick up the kids. Your boss is waiting for you to dial into a conference call or you need to email a time-sensitive contract to a client.

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