In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve never heard the word ‘sanitize’ as frequently as we do now. Disinfection is a very critical process that will prevent the spread of the dreaded virus. Aside from washing our hands with soap, we should never forget that our phones need some cleaning too. For this post, we will teach you the best way to sanitize cell phones and other gadgets, so it will not be a harborage of germs.
Remember, you don’t need to wait for a pandemic to clean your mobile phone. In fact, a study at the University of Arizona found that cell phones could carry ten times more bacteria than a toilet seat. Yes, that thing that you love tapping and putting near your face is dirtier than you could imagine.
Imagine this: on a single day, you’re going to touch elevator buttons, train handrails, door handles, and other communal surfaces. All of these areas are full of germs. And the moment that you get your phone to text or make a call, you’re transferring the potential infection into your beloved gadget.
With or without the coronavirus, this fact alone should be enough to convince you to disinfect your cell phone. The following are some simple steps you can follow:
Step 1. Turn it off
Before you do any wiping, you should turn your phone off. After that, remove the phone case and set it aside first. You should turn your phone off, regardless if it’s waterproof or not.
Step 2: Wipe it first
Next, get a clean piece of microfiber cloth to wipe the screen of your phone. Make sure that you also wipe the back, edges, and bottom of the device. Wiping with the cloth will not remove the germs, but the friction will lift it up from your device. It will make the disinfection more effective. We use microfiber cloth since it has more fibers that can trap and absorb dirt as compared to paper towels.
Step 3. Use a disinfectant wipe
What can I clean my phone screen with? Get a disinfectant wipe. This type of wipe is made for electronics and can neutralize germs on mobile devices. If the wipe is dripping, wring it a little so only a manageable amount of moisture is left. Wipe all surfaces of your phone, but avoid the ports. For those who have a water-resistant phone like iPhone 11, they can wash the device with a mild soap.
Step 4. Wash your phone case
Once you’re done cleaning your phone, don’t forget to clean the phone case as well. You can wipe it with another Lysol disinfectant wipe. However, if you don’t want to take chances, you can wash it with soap and water instead. Make sure that you soak the entire case in soapy water for at least 10 seconds. After that, scrub it a little and rinse with flowing water.
Step 5. Wipe everything dry
Once done, make sure that both your phone and phone case are dry. You can use a clean microfiber cloth to dry it up. Avoid air-drying your phone case as it might leave water streaks, especially on transparent and white cases.
Some do’s and don’ts
The following are some reminders that will avoid any damages to your phone. Also, it will help minimize the bacteria and viruses that could be transferred to your mobile device.
Don’t use abrasive cleaning agents
As much as you want to avoid nasty bacteria, you should never use abrasive chemicals like bleach, vinegar, window cleaner, and compressed air. All of these are too strong and can cause expensive damages to your device. Even rubbing alcohol can be damaging to your phone, so always proceed with caution.
Make it a daily habit
How often should you clean your phone, you ask? Our answer: every day. Before you go to bed, you should make it a habit to clean your phone. Just imagine that you’re preparing your gadgets for bed. This way, you won’t transfer the germs to your bed since most of us love browsing while cozying in our cot. It only takes 21 days to develop a habit. In less than a month, sanitizing your phone will become second-nature to you.
Don’t bring it on the bathroom
Many people are so used to bringing their phones to the bathroom to pass the time while they do potty. Regardless if your phone is waterproof or not, avoid bringing it with you. Your bathroom is filled with various bacteria that can be transferred to your phone. And when you touch your phone, you’ll be transferring the bacteria to other parts of your home.
If it feels sticky, it’s dirty
Here’s our personal rule of thumb: if it feels sticky, it’s dirty. A whole day of using your phone will surely show its signs on your screen. Fingerprints everywhere, and there’s undeniable moisture. Once you feel this, do yourself a favor and use some disinfectant wipes. Feel free to clean your phone as frequently as you deem needed.
Don’t forget the fingerprint button
Aside from your phone screen, you should also wipe the fingerprint button if your phone has one. In our experience, this one also gets very dirty. A disinfectant wipe will do the job here. Wipe the fingerprint sensor gently to avoid damages.
Wash your hands often
Another thing that you should do to limit the transfer of germs to your phone is washing your hands. If you’re touching surfaces all day long, you’re also contracting germs all over your hands. Frequent hand washing will also prevent a slew of infection and illnesses. Always use soap and running water to ensure that you’re removing the germs and not transferring it to another surface again.
Mind where you put your phone
Many of us are guilty of just putting our phones down wherever it’s convenient. For example: if you’re eating in a cafeteria, the first impulse is to put the phone down on the table. If you do so, make sure that you disinfect at the end of the day.
Risks dirty phones bring
If you’re not convinced why you should make disinfecting your phone a habit, you should know that a dirty phone can bring the following illnesses:
Acne and skin problems
One of the most observed effects of a dirty cell phone is an acne breakout. If you notice that you have acnes on the same side where you answer your calls, your phone is likely causing the problem. The oils and dirt present in your phone screen will be transferred into your skin. And as it lingers during the day, it irritates the skin and brews an acne breakout. You should take this seriously, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Viral infections
Mobile phones are now seen as one of the main carriers of viral infections. Since many of us can’t get our hands off our phones, it’s easy for these viruses to spread. When you touch a pole inside the train and reach for your phone, you’re already exposed to an infection. You’ll never know how many infected people touched, coughed, or sneezed into that same pole. If you want to skip the potential danger, make it a habit to sanitize your phone before touching or bringing it close to your face.
Allergic reactions
Allergic reactions aren’t very common, but it’s starting to be observed among phone users nowadays. Aside from the chromium, nickel, and cobalt content of your mobile phone, the dirt that sticks on it might also be the culprit. If an allergen happens to stick to your mobile phone, it can transfer to your skin quickly. So before you experience an allergic attack of some sort, we recommend disinfecting your phone right now.
Ear infections
Mobile phones can contract a wide range of bacteria – once of which is Staphylococcus. This bacterium can cause ear infections, folliculitis, and sinusitis. If you get exposed to this bacterium too often, the symptoms might get worse over time. Depending on the reaction of the body, you might develop a more serious set of illnesses.
Stomach upset
Are you having a pissed stomach for no reason? You should check your phone. You may have contracted E. coli through your phone. But I’m not putting my phone in my mouth! Of course not, but your hands, yes. E. coli infection can be deadly, especially if not treated right away. As you see, a dirty phone can do more harm than you can ever think of. So instead of taking chances, you can spare some minutes to disinfect your phone.
Conclusion
How to clean my cell phone? Above, we discussed a few simple steps that you can follow every day. We can’t stress how important it is to sanitize your mobile gadgets. In this era of the coronavirus infection, you can’t take chances. You can’t see viruses and bacteria. Who knows, it might be in your phone right now waiting for your next tap so it can finally reach your body.