A phone case does so much more than just protect your device. With creativity and imagination, it can be a personalized, functional, and stylish accessory. And the best part? You don’t need a brand-new case to look fashionable. Even your old cases can look splendid with the right maintenance and design updates.
In this article, we will share five phone case life hacks that can elevate your protective case’s visual appeal and functionality.
1. Perform Science-Based Maintenance and Cleaning
Almost everyone cleans their phone cases occasionally, but most people are likely doing it wrong. For instance, many use bleach or harsh cleaner for disinfection. Some people wipe the surface with random stuff like worn cloth or paper. And some even resort to heat guns or hair dryers to “deep clean” their device.
Those methods are not only ineffective in repelling dirt and contaminants. They’ll also screw up your case’s color, design, and texture over time.
What you need is a science-based approach to clean your phone case such as:
- Using distilled water + 70% isopropyl alcohol to sanitize the case. Isopropyl alcohol works well as an antimicrobial agent while water can rinse off all dirt and dust on the surface. Do not directly spray the water-alcohol solution on your phone. Instead, mist a towel with the solution and use it to wipe off the case.
- Light cleaning the iPhone case daily using a soft and clean cloth. A microfiber cloth is highly recommended because it’s non-abrasive and high-absorbent, which means that it can easily clean the surface without leaving scratches or streaks.
- Applying baking soda to the case. Baking soda is a low-cost natural cleaner for silicone and plastic cases. Grab a spare toothbrush, wet its head with water and baking soda mixture, then scrub the case gently in a circular motion.
- Cleaning with vinegar. Vinegar is also an excellent cleaning agent for plastic cases. It has an acidic pH that dissolves dirt, grease, and mineral deposits. You can put vinegar in a small bowl and container and soak your case there. You may use a spare toothbrush to clean the soaked case.
Read this article for more science-based case maintenance tips
2. Adding an AirTag Anti-Theft Device
Enhance your device’s security by turning your old iPhone case into an AirTag holder. This transformation can help locate your iPhone in case it was stolen.
An AirTag is a small, coin-shaped tracking device developed by Apple. It’s connected to an application in another device (like a second iPhone or iPad) via Bluetooth that enables the user to track whatever object the AirTag is physically connected with.
For this hack, you need an old phone case (preferably a silicone or plastic one), adhesive glue, a utility knife, and a functioning Apple AirTag. Then, follow the steps below:
- Mark the spot where you'll insert the AirTag in the case. For reference, the AirTag is about 1.26 inches in diameter.
- Cut using a utility knife the marked spot.
- Insert the AirTag into the groove to ensure it fits snugly.
- Secure the AirTag using an acrylic or adhesive glue that’s compatible with the case material.
3. Create a Kickstand For Your Phone Case
A kickstand lets you use your device hands-free at a comfortable viewing angle. Unfortunately, many cheap protective cases have no built-in stand.
So, our third tip is to create a DIY kickstand for old iPhone cases. Here are the steps:
- Cut a small slot at the bottom of the case (if you want it standing vertically) or at its side (if you want it standing horizontally).
- Get cardboard and measure a strip that is slightly narrower than the width of the slot you cut on the case.
- Fold the cardboard in half to form a V-shape.
- Slide the folded strip into the small slot. Add some glue if the V-shaped strip is a bit loose in the slot.
- Stand your phone to test if the cardboard strip can support the device’s weight.
- Decorate the kickstand with stickers or acrylic paint.
4. Customize Your Phone Case Design For The Spring Season
As we head to the Spring season, it’s time to update your phone case’s aesthetics that match this season’s feels. According to Pantone, earthy tones and nature-inspired designs are the trend this coming Spring. So, it’s great to have phone cases in shades of lavender, mint green, yellow, and sky blue which remind people of the warmth and glow of Spring.
Here are some ways to transform your phone case visuals for Spring 2025:
- Use acrylic paint to add customized visual designs. For instance, vintage floral patterns, wildlife patterns (snake scales or spider silk), honeycombs, rainbows, and cherry blossoms are some of the best Spring visual elements.
- Apply stickers as ornaments for the case and its kickstand. For example, Casekoo offers a range of magnetic decals with fascinating designs like emojis, animated characters, holiday icons, quotes, and more.
- Use washi tape to create geometric patterns, stripes, or unique designs on your iPhone case. Most washi tapes already feature a premade design but look for styles that closely resemble the Spring aesthetics like plant illustrations or bird and butterfly designs.
5. Repurpose Old and Discarded Phone Cases
What if, for whatever reason, the old case cannot fit the phone anymore? Well, don’t dump it yet because an old case can be a sustainable phone gear in a different way.
For instance, thick and bulky cases can be containers and organizers for small office tools like paper clips or medicines and band-aids. No need to do some cutting to the case but you may decorate it using acrylic paint or stickers.
If your case is made of plastic or leather, you can cut long strips from it and it becomes a handy bookmark.
You may also turn a phone case into a frame for small photos. Simply insert the picture into the case and display it on your desk or shelf.
Explore The Limitless Potential of Phone Cases
All you need is imagination to see cases as a multifunctional phone accessory. It’s not just for device protection, but also a reliable tool for self-expression, creativity, and ingenuity. We hope that our phone case life hacks can expand the usefulness of your phone cases.
For customizable, durable, and high-quality cases, visit Casekoo and explore our series of world-class protective cases made of premium materials. We strive to bring innovative designs that match everyone’s lifestyle and expectations and enable them to bring out their unique and creative ideas.
