Cleaning new protective film Or better case suggestions iPhone 3G

I spent like 2 hours staring at iPhone 3G cases at Yodobashi Camera today. There must have been over 100 models to choose from, yet none were exactly what I was looking for. It seems most cases are interested more in protecting the plastic back of the iPhone than the screen, while I am mostly worried about protecting the screen.
I was hoping for (1) a flip lid to protect the screen and (2) a place for a hand strap.
I compromised and got a silicone case with a protective film, hand strap and attachable screen cleaner.
But getting a clean protective film on to my iPhone is proving to be more difficult than clipping my Java Sparrows nails! (http://lerner.net/blog/category/pets-and-other-animals/java-sparrows/).
The problem is that the very first time didnt work right, and I got a smudge on the adhesive side. It says it is washable and that brings it back to life. So I washed it. Of course you cant dry it after washing it because that will leave towel or microfiber bits on the adhesive side. So you have to wait for the remaining water droplets to evaporate.
But it is 100% impossible to prevent some dust from getting on the adhesive side while waiting for the water droplets to evaporate, so you are back to square one - with a protective film cover that is not spotless waiting to be applied to a perfectly clean iPhone screen.
What to do about this?
I feel like I need a special clean room and doctors gloves just to put on a protective screen.
And Im not even sure the silicone case is that protective anyway.
doug@feeling like I wasted hours and $22...
MBP C2D 17" Mac OS X (10.5) 3.0 GB RAM