It’s in your hands over and over, all day, every day. That’s why it’s important to keep your phone germ-free. Here’s how to clean your phone without doing any damage.
The word “hygiene” is connected in everyone’s mind with washing your hands and cleaning the kitchen and bathroom, but cleaning your phone is something that often gets overlooked. Since our phones go everywhere with us, and we are constantly holding them in our hands, germs and bacteria can quickly build up on the screen and buttons.
How to Clean Your Phone: Killing Germs
Not convinced your phone is that gross? Scientists at the University of Arizona have found that your phone is probably a full ten times dirtier than most toilet seats. Why? Because toilet seats get cleaned often, whereas your phone probably doesn’t. Think about it, when was the last time you disinfected yours?
You may not clean your screen very often because you are not sure how to clean your phone without damaging it. We’ll give you some tips and tricks for how to de-nastify your electronic devices.
- Do not use soap. While it’s true that soap is great at killing bacteria and viruses, it is not great for your phone. The amount of water that you would have to use to wash away all the suds could easily damage your device.
- You must use a disinfectant spray or wipe with at least 70% isopropyl alcohol. If you use an iPhone, take a look at Apple’s support page. It says that it is okay to use the disinfectants listed above on Apple products.
- Be careful to avoid getting moisture in any openings. Don’t spray anything directly onto your phone. Spray a bit of disinfectant spray on a soft, lint-free cloth before applying to your phone.
- Do not use cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide or bleach.
- Make sure you clean your phone’s case thoroughly as well. Allow to dry completely before using.
- Phone screens are made of a special kind of glass. To be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to clean your phone at least once a day if it has been in an exposed place.
- Wash your hands after cleaning your phone to get rid of any lingering germs.
Tip: If you still feel a bit uneasy about the effect of alcohol-based disinfectants on your phone, use a screen protector to cover the display. This way, the disinfectant never actually comes into contact with the glass surface.
Microfiber Cloths
Let’s talk for a moment about microfiber cloths. Microfiber cloths are the go-to product used to clean sensitive glass surfaces because they are exceptionally soft, they don’t smear, and they don’t attract lint. They are good for cleaning your phone because they won’t leave any scratches behind and they are very effective at picking up dust and dirt.
That sounds great, but microfiber cloths come at a cost to the environment. They are made of plastic, and when they are washed, they leave behind microplastic particles in the water that end up in our oceans, being ingested by fish and marine mammals. Plus, since they melt at different temperatures than other plastics, they are also not recyclable.
You don’t want to harm the environment, but do not know how else to clean your phone without scratching up the screen? Then pay attention to these tips:
- Start by only washing your microfiber cloth when it is absolutely necessary.
- Buy only durable, high-quality microfiber cloths, and use them until you really can’t anymore.
- Use cotton rags instead (not paper towels) whenever possible.
Read more: Microplastics in the Oceans: These 6 Surprising Things are Causing Massive Microplastic Pollution
More Tips:
- At this crucial time, hygiene is more important than ever. Clean your phone often, but clean your hands more often.
- Don’t let anyone else touch your phone. If you are in a public place, keep your phone in your pocket and don’t let it come into contact with any surfaces.
- Keep your phone away from your face. Use headphones or bluetooth devices when making calls.
Text by Sebastian Prosche and Christie Sacco
This text was translated and adapted by Christie Sacco. You can view the original here: Handy reinigen: So wird es wieder sauber und keimfrei
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