Smartphones that we all have been guilty of taking ours into the bathroom. And we use the same phone in the kitchen and while eating. The same phone touches our face every time we are on a call.
Unfortunately, because of what our smartphones go through on a daily basis, they are home to germs and bacteria. From paying bills, online shopping, reading, to checking random things like cox cable bill pay, our smartphones are like a companion we can’t get enough of. More usage means more germs. A study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine says that fecal matter is present on one out of 6 smartphones.
In a 2009 study of germs taken from personal calling devices, researchers noticed that mobile phones have become reservoirs of infections since they touch lips, faces, ears, and hands of different users with varying health problems.
Why Do Smartphones Get So Dirty?
In case you are wondering why our phones are home to the nastiest germs, then here is an explanation. We are the generation that touches several surfaces in a day, more than any generation in history from self-checkout counters to ATMs and more. In other words, you are picking up germs no matter where you go and at the end of it, you use the same hands to touch your phone.
Our phones are a powerhouse of germs. Â Even if you wash your hands, the germs are still there on your phone. Considering the amount of time we spend on our phone, there is plenty of opportunities for the germs to migrate between our hands and phone. Normal bacteria carried from the cheeks and ears isn’t a cause for concern. However, if you cough into your phone, the germs will remain on the surface for hours and spread to others. Now, this is alarming!
Sounds like a grave concern, right? Well, here is what you can do to clean your phone and ensure it’s germ-free:
1: Clean With Rubbing Alchohol Solution (For Waterproof Phones)
Waterproof phones have suddenly become a huge business, with manufacturers eager to tout their device’s capacity to withstand a dunk. For waterproof phones, there is a simple cleaning solution you can make:
- Isopropyl rubbing alcohol
- Water
- Microfiber cloth
- Cotton swabs
- Cleaning gloves
You can prepare your own cleaning solution by mixing rubbing alcohol and distilled water in a spray bottle. Rubbing alcohol can quickly dissipate. Spray the solution on your phone’s exterior and wipe it clean with a cotton swab.
Make sure you are wearing cleaning gloves before you do anything.
2: Use Lysol Wipes to Clean the Surface
You have to be a little extra careful when you are cleaning the surface of a phone that is not waterproof. In that case, simply buy a pack of Lysol wipes and wipe the surface of your device (the screen and back). These wipes are totally safe for cleaning gadgets.
3: Invest In a SmartPhoneSoap
If you’re concerned about using a disinfectant, here is another option for you. Buy a phoneSoap. It’s a device that was introduced on ABC’s Shark Tank.
PhoneSoap uses UV light to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria on your smartphone. All you have to do is soak your device in the PhoneSoap for 10 minutes. It not only cleans but also charges your phone.
4: DON’T Take Your SmartPhones into the Washroom
using your phone in the restroom is one of the worst things you can do. When toilets flush, germs travel all over the place, which is how fecal bacteria like E. coli end up on phones. Taking your phone inside the bathroom and then leaving with it is like using the toilet and not washing your hands before coming out.
5: Stay on Top of Your Hygiene
According to some experts, keeping your phone clean won’t make a difference if you don’t practice proper hygiene. Therefore, remember to wash your hands frequently. avoid touching your face.
above all, keep your distance from sick people and wash and sterilize your hands.
6: Use Scotch Tape to Remove Lint and Sand
Lint and sand can easily get stuck in your phone’s microscopic ports and crevices where the screen joins the phone’s body.
Scotch tape can help remove the sand and lint. wrap it up and gently place it in the ports. Any lint or sand that may be lodged in your phone will be pulled out with the tape’s stickiness. Use a toothpick to remove lint from the parts where the tape can’t reach.
7: Wipe Makeup Marks With A Damp Cloth
The foundation smudges that are left on the phone’s surface after you take a call should be cleaned the right way. This makeup residue is just as unclean as any other germ.
Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe clean your phone after you are done. Spray a bit of phone cleaner before using the cloth on the screen.
How Often Should I Clean My SmartPhones?
This question must have occurred to you.
If you use the restroom with your phone, you should wipe it down more frequently than someone who does not. If you eat while scrolling through your phone or tablet, wiping it down with a microfiber cloth daily is a smart idea. Clean your once a week at least. During winter, it’s best to clean your phone at the end of the day, each day.
Final Words
Avoid using regular home cleaners on your phone. They aren’t meant for touchscreens; they have a tendency to leave an unwanted film on the screen and harm the touchscreen covering. Therefore, be careful what you use to clean your phone.
Also, don’t use a standard cloth or paper towel to wipe your screen, and don’t spray cleaning directly on it. Excess moisture can seep around the screen’s edges or into the device, causing physical harm. Instead, spray a light cleaner on a microfiber cloth and wipe clean your phone’s surface with it. Read more for: Make Money From Guest Post
Just follow these cleaning tips and you should be good.
