Our phones have revolutionized how disease and germs spread, which is why you need to know how to prevent you and others around you from spreading viral illnesses and harmful bacteria. This articles shows you how to sanitize and clean your phone using a variety of supplies you probably have in your home.
Why You Should Sanitize and Clean Your Phone
Cleaning your phone involves removing any deadly bacteria and microbes that cover it every day. Every time you touch it, you’re actually transferring bacteria between the phone and your face, hands, and each surface the phone has touched. In fact, Dr. Charles Gerba, a University of Arizona professor of environmental biology, determined that phones are even dirtier than a toilet seat. This just means you need to change your smartphone hygiene habits.
Sanitizing and Cleaning Your Phone
Before we can get into the steps you need to take to sanitize and clean your phone, there are some items you need to steer clear of. These include compressed air, bleach, abrasive powders, window or household cleaners, aerosol spray cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, harsh solvents like benzene, acetone and toluene, and ammonia. All these items may lessen the effectiveness of the oleophobic coating on your smartphone’s glass surface which repels oil from your fingers and hands, as they’re abrasive. You also need to avoid excess moisture as you clean the phone, as this can damage the electronics within the phone.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
Microfiber cloth (lint free)70-percent isopropyl alcohol (1/2 cup)Distilled water (1/2 cup)Wooden toothpicksCotton swabs
Steps to Sanitize and Clean Your Phone
- Unplug any attachments on your phone, including your charger, headphones or earbuds, and switch the phone off.
- Remove any protective cover or casing on the phone to clean it effectively. You’ll also clean these separately before putting them back on your phone.
- Mix the 70-percent isopropyl alcohol and distilled water in a spray bottle in a one-to-one ratio. The reason for distilled water is because it won’t scratch the glass on your phone, unlike hard water, which has microscopic minerals. Shake the bottle well and spray the mixture on your microfiber cloth. Don’t over-wet the cloth, and don’t spray the phone directly.
- Wipe down the phone using the cloth, cleaning both the front and the back. Clean small areas – like the attachment ports, space around the camera lens, and buttons – using a wooden toothpick or dry cotton swab to remove any gunk buildup, and then wipe these areas down with the microfiber cloth. Let your phone air dry for 15 or minutes or so before putting it back into its case.
Sanitize and Clean Phone Accessories
While your phone is air drying, you can clean the case and other accessories that you use with it. For a silicone phone case, you can submerge and wash it in a solution with warm water and a little dishwashing soap. Scrub the edges with a soft cloth and rinse well. Let it air dry before inserting your phone. You can also wipe down the case with a microfiber cloth dampened with the rubbing alcohol and distilled water solution. For a hard plastic case, wipe it down with the rubbing alcohol and distilled water solution, while leather cases can be cleaned with a special saddle soap and treated with a leather conditioner. You can use the same rubbing alcohol and distilled water solution to wipe down your phone’s accessories, such as earbuds and chargers. Mist the lint-free microfiber cloths lightly, wipe down the accessories and then air dry them before using again.
Can You Use Alcohol or Disinfecting Wipes?
If you want a quicker way of sanitizing and cleaning your phone on the go, you can use an alcohol-based wipe like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. For Apple devices, it’s safe to clean your iPhone using disinfecting wipes with 70-percent isopropyl alcohol or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. However, if you’re using an Android phone, you can get a Zeiss Mobile Screen Wipe to wipe down the body and screen of your phone, which removes germs and the top layer of grime thanks to its evaporative solution.
Tips on Keeping Your Phone Germ-Free
Your phone may be enveloped in unseen bacteria, including the coronavirus, which is why you need to be extra cautious, as your phone is a vehicle that can effectively transfer the virus and other infectious organisms. Here are some tips you can use whether you’re at home or your workplace to keep your phone germ-free:
Once your phone comes into contact with ink, sticky foods, makeup, dye or other things that may cause stains, clean it.Wash your hands periodically with hot soapy water or sanitizer when you’re outdoors because your hands pick up many germs throughout the day.Get an antimicrobial cover for your phone.Invest in an ultraviolet light sanitizer that can hold your phone and other accessories you use daily. This will kill bacteria without using moisture or excessive heat that could damage to your phone and other electronics.Don’t handle your phone while at the table – it’s unsanitary.
In light of COVID-19 today, it’s important to protect yourself and those around you from spreading harmful bacteria and germs. It requires responsible use and cleaning of your phone and making sure you don’t allow anyone to use it. Remember to store it somewhere warm and closed like a purse or pocket when it’s not in use.
