How Often Does a Phone Need to Be Disinfected?
qwikfone
december 14,2021
How Often Does a Phone Need to Be Disinfected?
by Ishaan Seth November 5, 2020
Did you know that your favorite gadget is a hotbed for bacteria? Although the germs found here are not dangerous, they only become risky when you are using your device while you are eating. This is because the bacteria that are on the surface of your smartphone can be transferred to your fingers which you use to eat. This is when the germs can make you ill depending on the type of bacteria that may be lingering on your phone. That said, it is important to determine what bacteria remover for phone to use and how often you need to disinfect your device.
How Often Should You Disinfect Your Phone?
Every time we go out, we expose ourselves to a variety of germs from the handrails on the bus, to pushing the button on the elevator to opening doors. Whatever we pick up in our hands can easily transfer to our smartphones. You can already imagine how much germs you are exposing yourself to constantly. For sure, if you put your smartphone under a microscope, you will find a thriving community of bacteria there. Fortunately, there is a way to avoid being exposed to such risk and that is by disinfecting your gadget.
How often should you do this, you ask? This depends on how careful you are with handling your smartphone. For example, if you tend to use your device even while you are having a meal, it is best that you wipe it down first with an antimicrobial wipe for smartphones before putting it on the table. This way, even after you have washed your hands, the number of germs present on your phone will be significantly lower. Experts also recommend that you disinfect your mobile phone two times a day which is in the morning and before you go to bed.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you are disinfecting your smartphone.
How often should you do this, you ask? This depends on how careful you are with handling your smartphone. For example, if you tend to use your device even while you are having a meal, it is best that you wipe it down first with an antimicrobial wipe for smartphones before putting it on the table. This way, even after you have washed your hands, the number of germs present on your phone will be significantly lower. Experts also recommend that you disinfect your mobile phone two times a day which is in the morning and before you go to bed.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you are disinfecting your smartphone.
- Clean your mobile phone regularly especially when it is covered with a rubber case. The rubber material tends to attract more germs which can put you at risk of being ill.
- Focus on the edges where the case meets the smartphone as germs and dirt tend to accumulate in these areas. It is always a good idea to remove the casing first before you disinfect your phone for a more thorough cleaning.
- Turn off your device first then cover the ports and sockets with tape to prevent any liquid from getting into them. This way, you will not damage your unit accidentally by exposing them to your cleaning solution.
- Any cleaner that you are going to use shouldn’t be sprayed directly onto your mobile phone but rather dampen a microfiber cloth with it instead before wiping down your device with it.
- Give your device a deep clean which means removing the battery if possible and wiping down the insides using a phone cleaning kit.
How Often Does a Phone Need to Be Disinfected?
When Should You Clean Your Smartphone?
There are situations when giving your smartphone an extra cleaning is warranted, especially these days when there is a health crisis ongoing, that you should keep in mind. Being more mindful of where you are exposing your device to can help protect you in the long run. So, what are these instances when you need to give your gadget a good cleaning?
- After washing hands. When was the last time you washed your hands? From that moment to your next hand disinfection routine means that you have acquired germs from your smartphone already. Disinfecting your smartphone after you wash your hands can help minimize the germs that get transferred to you.
- After your phone is used by someone else. Another scenario when you need to give your smartphone a good cleaning is when someone borrowed it. One reason behind this is because you don’t know what they have been touching which means that they may have transferred some bacteria to your device that you unwittingly take into your body. You might think that the other party will get offended by this, but you are protecting your health. Wiping your smartphone on your shirt doesn’t do any good. What it needs is a good cleaning using a bacteria remover for phone like antimicrobial wipes for gadgets.
- After using it during your trip outside your home. It is very rare that you will not use your gadget while you are doing your grocery run, doing some shopping, or while in public transport. You may not be aware of this, but exposing your device to the elements and even placing your smartphone on various surfaces like a counter in a restaurant or fast food store can cause bacteria to get transferred to your device. Do yourself a favor and clean your gadget once you are back home.
- After going to the bathroom. It is not unusual for people to bring their devices in the bathroom. But since the bathroom can be home to germs as well you should wipe down your smartphone after too.
Disinfecting Tips to Consider when Cleaning Your Smartphone
If you haven’t been consistent with cleaning your handheld device, now is the time to do so. But how should you go on about it? Mobile phone companies such as the tech giant, Apple, and its staunch competitor, Samsung, both have recommendations on how to clean their devices. Most of the time it requires using a lint-free cloth to prevent scratches on the screen. It is best that you avoid using cleaning materials that are harsh and abrasive because of the delicate nature of the components inside these devices.
What should go in your DIY phone cleaning kit? You should have a microfiber cloth, 70% isopropyl alcohol, and antimicrobial or sanitizing wipes. Here are the steps that you should follow:
What should go in your DIY phone cleaning kit? You should have a microfiber cloth, 70% isopropyl alcohol, and antimicrobial or sanitizing wipes. Here are the steps that you should follow:
- Dip or dampen your microfiber cloth in alcohol and use it to clean your smartphone’s case. If you are using an alcohol spray, spritz some on the casing then wipe or scrub with your lint-free cloth.
- Pay attention to the corners of the casing since dirt, dust, and even oils can accumulate in these areas. Rub them carefully to remove any build up.
- Let the alcohol air dry. You don’t have to worry about seeing streaks in the casing since alcohol doesn’t do that.
The same steps can be applied when disinfecting your smartphone itself. If you don’t have any microfiber cloths on hand, you can invest in disinfecting wipes instead. These are wipes that are pre-soaked in alcohol that can be used to give your mobile phone a good cleaning.
If you are wondering how to clean your phone screen at home with minimal effort, then these wipes will get the job done for you. Pay special attention to the edges of your screen protector since these areas are where dirt, dust, and other particles tend to build up. For those who have a microfiber cloth on hand, you can buff your phone’s screen with it after disinfecting to remove any streaks or fingerprints on it.
What’s great about glass screen protectors is that they are cheap to replace so you can go all out when disinfecting it. Wash your hands thoroughly after you clean your smartphone to remove any bacteria or germs that may have transferred from your gadget to your hands.
If you are wondering how to clean your phone screen at home with minimal effort, then these wipes will get the job done for you. Pay special attention to the edges of your screen protector since these areas are where dirt, dust, and other particles tend to build up. For those who have a microfiber cloth on hand, you can buff your phone’s screen with it after disinfecting to remove any streaks or fingerprints on it.
What’s great about glass screen protectors is that they are cheap to replace so you can go all out when disinfecting it. Wash your hands thoroughly after you clean your smartphone to remove any bacteria or germs that may have transferred from your gadget to your hands.
Do Sanitizers Work?
Aside from manually disinfecting your smartphone using 70% isopropyl alcohol or sanitizing wipes, you can also try a sanitizer to disinfect your device. This technology has been around for some time now and is also used in hospital settings to disinfect equipment quickly. But how effective is it?
Exposing smartphones or any other tools under UV light does seem to help remove bacterias that have been thriving on their surfaces. However, it may not be as effective as it is when it comes to dealing with the latest outbreak. Still, it does seem to be a handy tool to have at home since you can simply put your device inside the box and let the UV light do its work. Take note, however, that you shouldn’t expose your skin to too much UV light since it can cause irritation.
There has been an increase in demand for this type of sanitizers which you might try out with your own gadgets too in case you are too busy to give your device a thorough cleaning.
Exposing smartphones or any other tools under UV light does seem to help remove bacterias that have been thriving on their surfaces. However, it may not be as effective as it is when it comes to dealing with the latest outbreak. Still, it does seem to be a handy tool to have at home since you can simply put your device inside the box and let the UV light do its work. Take note, however, that you shouldn’t expose your skin to too much UV light since it can cause irritation.
There has been an increase in demand for this type of sanitizers which you might try out with your own gadgets too in case you are too busy to give your device a thorough cleaning.
Final Thoughts
People rarely pay attention to cleaning their smartphones, but in times like these when we are faced with a health crisis, it pays to be vigilant with what we hold in our hands. We use our gadgets on a daily basis which is why we need to step up our disinfecting routine to help reduce our risk of exposure to germs that they may carry.
Investing in a phone cleaning kit or making your own can help keep those nasties away from your gadget as much as possible whether you buy a new phone or a refurbished phone. If we talk about refurbished phones, they are completely disinfected before selling. A retailer like QwikFone ensures these facilities before selling. Just remember the different scenarios mentioned above on when you should disinfect your device. It pays to be extra clean especially when it comes to your smartphones and your use of them.
Investing in a phone cleaning kit or making your own can help keep those nasties away from your gadget as much as possible whether you buy a new phone or a refurbished phone. If we talk about refurbished phones, they are completely disinfected before selling. A retailer like QwikFone ensures these facilities before selling. Just remember the different scenarios mentioned above on when you should disinfect your device. It pays to be extra clean especially when it comes to your smartphones and your use of them.