When it comes to cleaning, there are some obvious areas that get a lot of attention: countertops, bathtubs, floors and more. But there’s one thing many of us neglect that can be a hotbed for germs and dirt. Read on to find out what it is and why you should make cleaning it part of your regular routine.
Your Phone and Electronics
Your phone, tablet, remote controls and other electronics are prime candidates for harboring germs. Why? Because we handle these devices constantly throughout the day, yet rarely think to disinfect them.
How Dirty Can Phones Get?
Various studies have looked at the amount of bacteria on cell phones and the results aren’t pretty. Phones used by healthcare workers and students were found to harbor disease-causing pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus. Even phones used by the general public contained high levels of bacteria.
Some key facts on how dirty phones can get:
- Phones can harbor up to 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. E.coli and fecal matter are commonly found on phones.
- The average phone contains over 25,000 germs per square inch. Keypads and screens tend to be the dirtiest areas.
- People check their phones an average of 85 times per day, giving germs many opportunities to transfer back and forth from fingers to phone.
- 1 in 6 phones have traces of dangerous pathogens like norovirus or listeria. These can cause severe gastrointestinal illness.
It’s clear that phones and other frequently handled electronics can be a hotbed for germs we come in contact with throughout the day.
How Germs Are Transferred From Phones
When you consider how often phones touch our hands and faces, it’s easy to see how germs transfer. Here are some of the ways it happens:
- Touching your phone after coughing or sneezing. Respiratory droplets land on the screen and body of the phone, leaving cold and flu viruses lurking.
- Using your phone in the bathroom. Even if you wash your hands, germs get back on them when you touch your phone. Traces of fecal bacteria can transfer to the phone as well.
- Setting your phone on dirty surfaces. Tables, counters and other surfaces can harbor germs that then get deposited onto your phone when you set it down.
- Sharing headphones or earbuds. The bacteria in your ears can transfer to shared headsets and back again.
- Transfer from unwashed hands. Anything you touch with dirty hands leaves germs on your phone that you’ll encounter later.
Why You Should Start Cleaning Your Electronics
Now that you know how germy phones and other electronics can get, here’s why it’s important to start disinfecting them regularly:
- Prevent spreading illnesses. Disinfecting your phone kills cold, flu and gastrointestinal bugs so you don’t keep passing them back and forth to the device.
- Keep other surfaces cleaner. Phones pick up germs from other places but also deposit them back. Reducing the germ load on phones helps keep other touched surfaces like tables, counters and doorknobs cleaner as well.
- Avoid acne breakouts. Bacteria, oils and dirt on phones can transfer to your face and clog pores, potentially causing breakouts. Keeping phones clean cuts down on this.
- Improve concentration. Having a dirty device close to your face and hands all day can be distracting. A clean phone helps you focus better.
- Extend your phone’s life. Built up grime, sweat and oils can degrade the coatings on screens and keypads over time. Keeping your phone clean preserves its life.
How To Disinfect Your Electronics
Cleaning and disinfecting your electronics properly is important to safely kill germs without damaging the device. Follow these tips:
Use the Right Cleaning Materials
Avoid household cleaners, bleach and fragrant products on your electronics. These can damage screens and internal components. Instead, use these safer options:
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70% isopropyl alcohol – Apply it to a microfiber cloth and gently wipe down your phone. This concentration kills most germs and dries quickly without streaking.
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Disinfectant wipes – Look for wipes specifically made for phones and electronics. Some options contain 70% alcohol as well as cleaning agents.
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Lens cleaner – Sprays made for eyeglasses work great for screens and won’t streak. Just spray and wipe gently with a microfiber cloth.
Target Key Areas
Focus on disinfecting the most touched areas of your phone and electronics:
- Screen
- Buttons, keyboards and keypads
- Camera lens and flashlight
- Speaker and microphone
- Case or shell
- Headphones/earbuds
Make sure to get into crevices around buttons where gunk can collect. Q-tips or cotton swabs can help with small spaces.
Disinfect Daily
Ideally, clean your phone and other electronics that you handle frequently at least once per day. Make it part of your daily routine, just like washing your hands and face.
Set reminders on your phone to clean it and other electronics after work before relaxing at home. Having a routine helps ensure it gets done regularly.
Additional Tips
- Unplug devices before cleaning to prevent any electrical accidents.
- Avoid getting moisture into any openings like headphone jacks or charging ports.
- Dry surfaces thoroughly with a clean microfiber cloth after disinfecting.
- Don’t use abrasive cloths or paper towels that can scratch screens or finishes.
- Clean fitness trackers, smart watches and tablets the same way, concentrating on the band and screen.
Bottom Line
Phones, tablets, remotes and other electronics harbor tons of germs but often get overlooked when cleaning. By disinfecting these devices daily, you can help prevent illness, maintain cleaner surfaces in your home and extend the useful life of your electronics. An alcohol-based cleaner along with a microfiber cloth is all you need to banish germs! Make phone cleaning part of your daily hygiene routine for healthier hands, face and home.
