How to sanitise your phone during the pandemic
You don’t have time to be worrying about your phone, but that doesn’t mean you should put keeping it clean on the back-burner.
Have a think - when was the last time you cleaned your phone?
Why should I clean my phone now?
Mobile phones and similar devices are carriers of microbes such as bacteria, fungus and yes, viruses so we need to be making sure the tech we come into contact with the most often is clean. While some of these organisms can be harmless, others can survive on devices so it is best we get rid of them.
A recent study shows that Covid-19 can survive for up to 28 days on glass surfaces like mobile phone screens. It’s a scary thought, and even though the study was carried out in a lab setting and didn’t emulate day-to-day environments, in these instances it is better to be safe than sorry.
Dr Debbie Eagles spoke to The Independent and shared that coronavirus can “remain infectious on surfaces for long periods of time…” We think that cleaning surfaces and regular hand washing are the best way to keep on top of things, and so do the scientists.
Dr Shobha Broor of Gurugram-based SGT University also spoke to The Independent. “This study shows that virus was detected on glass and steel, but the question is [whether] the viral load on such surfaces is enough to cause an infection. Secondly, it is important to understand that this study was done in a controlled environment. The study itself shows that when such surfaces come in contact with ultraviolet light (sunlight) the virus’s presence decreased rapidly.”
We don’t advise leaving your phone out in the sun, and you don’t want to overly clean your device. Consider your habits and how exposed you are to germs and viruses. Common sense is the key approach to keeping your tech working, safe and clean.
People touch their phones HOW often?
Research shows that the average person touches their phone thousands of times a day, so if you’re one of those people our latest checklist details how to incorporate cleaning your phone into your routine.
Before you do anything, check guidelines from your phone’s manufacturer. Pre-pandemic, many device makers advised against using antibacterial or disinfectant wipes as they could cause water damage to your device (they will alert the LDI (Liquid Damage Indicator) strip). Now, guidance has changed so keep up to date.
- Think about the last time you touched your phone, were your hands clean? If you’re washing your hands regularly then you don’t need to clean your phone as often.
- If you put your phone down on a surface, it’s best to give it a wipe down.
- Never use liquids on your phone and don’t put cleaners directly on your device. Don’t take your phone into the bathroom with you.
- Avoid aerosols and bleach at all times - if you’re cleaning elsewhere, keep your phone away.
- Don’t wipe excessively or wipe your device on your clothing - opt for a gentle microfibre cloth, such as a Smart Screen. You don’t want anything abrasive touching your screen - to learn why read our blog on Why Do Phone Screens Scratch So Easily?
- Keeping your phone in a sealed case can make it easier to wipe down.
- Don’t let anyone cough or sneeze near your device and if they have, it’s time to clean.
- Avoid sharing your phone with other people or letting them use it.
Dr Lena Ciric, a microbiologist from University College London spoke to the BBC and praised using microfibre cloths. She said that a slightly damp cloth, with soap and water can reduce the amount of bacteria on a device. She conducted an RLU (relative light units) test on phones before and after cleaning, which measures microbial activity. All were significantly cleaner after!
Better still, to keep liquids away from your phone, why not pick up a Smart Screen? The world's first antibacterial microfibre cloth is dedicated to cleaning your smartphone without the need for harsh chemicals or liquids.
Our Silver Ion antibacterial agent is made into the weave so your Smart Screen kills bacteria on contact and remains effective for up to 15 washes. But what does antibacterial mean? It means it can help beat bacteria when it comes into contact with it (that’s not to be confused with antiviral, though, as antiviral qualities relate to viruses).