We all know that washing your hands during these tough times is vital. But what about your phone?
All the major phone-makers warn against using chemicals, hand gels and abrasive wipes, because they can damage the screen’s protective coating. But there are ways to clean your phone effectively, without them.
Dr Lena Ciric, a microbiologist from University College London, recently shared some tips on how to clean your phone.
Method 1: Soap and water
Yes, even just using soap and water can effectively remove bacteria and viruses from your phone.
What you’ll need: Simple household soap (such as hand soap from a pump) Two clean cloths (ideally microfibre) Water
Steps: Unplug and turn off your phone and remove the case Dampen (don’t soak) a cloth with water and a little soap Gently rub the surfaces (including the screen and cameras) of the phone with the damp cloth Take care not to get moisture in any of the openings (e.g. charging port, headphone socket). Dry your phone with a clean, dry cloth
Repeat this process on your phone case Note: Take extra care with the fabric lining on some cases
Method 2: 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes
Apple states that you can use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes on iPhones. This method should work on other phones too, but be sure to check with your manufacturer. Just in case.
You can buy 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes from specialist computer shops and many big online retailers.
Method 3: Ultraviolet light
You can buy UV phone sanitisers, small devices which sterilise your phone using ultraviolet UVC radiation. They cost in the region of £20 - £40 from online retailers, depending on the model and its features.
They’re said to be very effective and able to remove 99.9% of bacteria from your devices in just a few minutes.
The downside is that, while they won’t harm your device, some phones and cases could become discoloured with continued use over time.
Keep those hands clean
So your phone should be lovely and clean now. But just remember, as soon as you touch your phone again, you’re going to get germs back on to it.
So make sure you keep washing your hands thoroughly and regularly throughout the day, to reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses.
Original source: BBC
