How to Clean Your Phone

Design: Betsy Farrell

Remove the phone case and turn off the device.

Polish with a microfiber cloth. Gently wipe the outside of your phone Microfiber fabric Get rid of stains and crude oil. “This physically removes germs due to the friction between the fabric and the glass surface,” says Forte. That doesn’t mean it kills germs, but it does lift them off the surface – and microfiber does better than a washcloth or paper towel because the fibers have more surface to trap dirt and absorb grease well.

Next, grab a Lysol disinfectant wipe. Lysol products are marketed to buyers as safe for current use in electronics, Forte adds that they effectively neutralize leftover germs. “If the wipe is excessively wet, wring it out first,” says Forte. Then gently wipe any surface of your phone while avoiding the connections.

Let your phone air dry for at least 5 minutes. Like most disinfectants Lysol spray is most effective if it is allowed to air dry on the surface for at least 10 minutes. But even if you don’t keep your phone wet for so long, “a Lysol wipe will disinfect your phone a lot,” explains Forte Manufacturer says these wipes Disinfection only takes four minutes.

Grab a clean paper towel or microfiber towel. Wipe off any residual moisture. Ideally, you should not use the same microfiber cloth as in step 2, but a different one that you recently washed with a laundry disinfectant (e.g. Lysol laundry disinfectant). “Some microfiber cloths can be bleached, but not all. Dirty cloths should be cleaned regularly to prevent the floor from settling on the surfaces again and no germs from spreading,” says Forte. “Normal washcloths can be washed with bleach. Both normal and microfiber cloths can also be boiled for a few minutes.”

Finally, clean your phone case. Repeat the same process with your phone case. However, keep in mind that like most other astringent cleaners, you can use them Phone cases are made of durable hard plastic. Apple claims that you shouldn’t use bleach for accessories that have fabric or leather surfaces.

Can I use Clorox wipes on my phone?

Forte says most Clorox wipes should be safe for use in electronics, but first recommends Lysol products because of the brand readily advertising that the cleaning cloths do not affect the screen quality of your smartphone. If you don’t have access to Lysol wipes, you can use a Clorox wipe. Apple has just updated its advice Saying that Clorox disinfectant wipes and other common disinfectants can be safely used on your phone. Or you can try a mixture of mild soap and water that is applied to a microfiber cloth. “Soap and water aren’t as effective as a wipe, but it can also help reduce the amount of germs on your phone if you use it carefully as you would use it with a wipe,” says Forte.

You may also want to buy a screen protector. These covers not only protect your phone’s screen when you drop it, but also withstand strong astringents, Clorox wipes, or most other cleaners, as most models are made of glass or plastic only (with no smudge-proof layers) that can dissolve ).

How often should I clean my phone?

It may not be the answer you are hoping for, but Forte says you quickly wipe your phone with a microfiber cloth is most effective if you do it daily. “You don’t have to do a thorough cleaning every day, but I have a few microfiber cloths at my desk and at home, so I can quickly wipe the dirt off my screen every day,” Forte says. “”Especially in the colder months I recommend using a Lysol towel every other day or at least twice a week. ”

If wiping your phone every day sounds like something you won’t remember, try using the power of ultraviolet light. “UV light damages the nucleic acid of the virus and makes it no longer infectious,” explains Dr. Gerba. The UV light dose and the proximity to your phone determine how long you have to use it. Good housekeeping‘s Forte says products like PhoneSoap, a device is available that allows users to leave their phone in a closed room with UV light for a full 10 minutes. However, both experts agree that washing your hands and using a disinfectant wipe to disinfect your phone is a better option than using UV light.

How to keep your phone clean:

Even if you take the time to clean your phone regularly, it can quickly become exposed to germs and other harmful bacteria. What are the best ways to reduce the amount of ick your phone is exposed to? Here are some situations where your phone should stay firmly in your pocket.

Avoid scrolling on public transportation. If you can do it, avoid using your phone while commuting on public transport, as the germs you come into contact with on railings and handles can easily land on the phone’s screen. The best time to use your phone on the train, bus, or ferry is when you sit down with no bar or handle clasped.

Let the phone out of the bathroom. ON 2018 survey found that 3 out of 4 Americans either write, call or scroll text while in the bathroom. And while you should wash your hands before and after using the toiletThere is a lot of research how many harmful germs lurk in bathrooms In general, it is easy for them to land on your screen.

Print out your recipes. If you can have your phone read instructions aloud, this is a good alternative. Cross contamination between your phone and the kitchen surface can be easy if you cook with raw ingredients like poultry, beef, pork and fish. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling raw ingredients while cooking. You also save the screen of your phone.

Buckle up in the gym. Place Your phone in an armband or safe in a utility bag is a much better option than letting it rest on exercise equipment that may not have been thoroughly cleaned between uses.

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