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While trying to stay safe with the ongoing spread of Covid-19, people may not realize that their phones are among the dirtiest, bacteria infected objects handled each day, and they should be cleaned often. According to a study from 2017 that examined 27 mobile phones and found that the surfaces were home to viruses, bacteria, and more.

Unfortunately, Covid-19 has been found to last up to three days on surfaces that are stainless steel and plastic, which is exactly what encases a phone and most types of cases. This means that being proactive to remove any potential spaces for the virus to pass from one person to another is essential.

Get A Microfiber Cloth

To avoid scratching a device, start with a microfiber cloth, and according to Dr. Lena Ciric, a microbiologist at University College London, one only needs soap and water. The first step is to remove the case from a phone and set it aside. Both will need to be cleaned since they are handled all day long.

Since most cleaning products are harsh and can be abrasive against the material of a phone, household soap works just fine. Thomas Gilbert, an associate professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Northeaster, states that, “Surfactants basically pry open coronavirus particles and encapsulate viral molecules…that allows the deactivated viral material to be washed away.”

Place a small dab of soap on a dampened microfiber cloth, and gently rub the surfaces all around the phone. Since smartphones are delicate electronic devices, care must be given not to get the insides wet, especially near the charging port or speaker. As Dr. Ciric states, even water-resistance devices can lose their protection over time. Once the phone and case have been cleaned from all over, dry them off with a dry microfiber cloth.

These simple steps are all one needs to do in order to remove unwanted bacteria and viruses from the surface of a phone. However, it is crucial to understand that the reason our phones become so dirty in the first place is because they are handled all day long, in and out of the house, while cooking and handling meat, in the bathroom, and they sit on all kinds of surfaces.

During this time of self isolation, the best option may be to give it repeated wipe downs if leaving the home for groceries or other essential activities.

Away From Home?

The instructions above work great when at home and with access to a microfiber cloth, soap, and water, but are lacking if outside the home. There may be many reasons to leave the home, and some people may find themselves in professions where they need to be out for most of the day.

In cases like that, there are options for Apple products, as the company states that their products can safely be cleaned using 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes. These can be purchased online in bulk and offer a quick, simple way to clean often and easily if not at home. Unfortunately, Samsung and other smartphone manufacturers have not made similar claims and such cleaning products may be too harsh for exteriors and screens.

As a result, non-Apple users may need to be extra careful not to handle their phones while outside, or to stow them away until they can be cleaned again once back home. In any case, common sense should prevail in the coming weeks. If leaving the home and taking a phone along, it is safe to say it needs a good cleaning once home, along with washing your own hands.

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