Keeping high-touch objects and surfaces like your phone clean is difficult even when there isn’t a raging pandemic. It’s even more of a challenge when your health—and that of your family’s—is at state. That said, disinfecting these surfaces is considered best practice to stop the spread of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses like the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As the 2020-21 flu season begins, you may feel increasingly motivated to go on the offensive against germs. Inanimate objects we barely thought about in the past are now seen as potential virus-spreaders that could cause severe harm. It’s then worth referring to some food for thought from CDC as cellphones and smartphones especially are considered a high-touch surface that presents a substantial risk as a virus carrier. Therefore, the need to clean your phone has never been more important. Doing so could prove a pivotal facet in disease control and prevention, protecting you and your family. Read below as we delve into various techniques to clean and disinfect your phone while helping keep you safe from the coronavirus.
Use disinfecting wipes
Clean your cellphone with Clorox wipes. Apple and other phone manufactures now maintain it’s okay to use Clorox Disinfecting Wipes and other disinfectants to clean your iPhone and other gadgets. Just don’t submerge them in cleaning agents. Turn the device off first, and make sure you’re not getting moisture in openings, like the charging port. No disinfecting wipes? No problem! 70% isopropyl alcohol is also a great disinfectant. Ensure that you gently wipe your mobile devices when using this method. Beyond these two suggestions, the CDC claims that anything approved by the Environmental Protection Agency is reliable. No matter your choice, wear disposable gloves to clean. Note that these might carry excess bacteria, so it’s still wise to wash your hands when you’re done wiping down your phone. Lastly, don’t forget to clean your phone case, since it’s most exposed to the elements.
Types of cloth to use
Experts all suggest using a micro-fibre cloth and soft linen-free cloths when cleaning your phone. These are all non-abrasive items that won’t damage your phone. Another viable method is purchasing a mobile sanitizer. You’ll find these products, such as the Mobiwash, Rnaux Cleaning Kit, and other choices online. These solutions have a non-abrasive cloth that comes in the kit.
Things to never use on a phone
Your phone’s vulnerable to all moisture. Thus, it’s suggested by Apple and other manufactures that users never utilize spray cleaners or heavy-duty, abrasive products. This list of “don’ts” extends to bleach and aerosol spray. While these products kill germs and leave surfaces sparkling clean, they could potentially turn your smartphone into a paperweight (albeit a clean one). Furthermore, dunking your phone in a liquid of any kind, be it anti-bacterial or otherwise, is inadvisable. When it comes to wiping, don’t use an abrasive cloth, towels, paper towels, or anything with a similar texture.
Wash your hands frequently.
One of the most proactive methods to keep your phone clean is regularly washing your hands. We’d say wash your hands before you use your mobile device. But you’re probably holding your phone for over two hours per day, given that most people use them for more reasons than calling and texting. Your hands are home to a plethora of harmful bacteria that will transfer to your smartphone if you don’t wash them frequently. Vigilantly washing your hands provides the following two-pronged defence against germs: 1. You won’t be exposed to excess bacteria when it’s time to make a call, and your phone is close to your mouth. 2. Your hands won’t pick up added germs from your phone. So, you won’t be exposed to any harmful bacteria when you directly touch your face after using your mobile device. Be sure to follow CDC guidelines to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water aren’t available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer provides 60% as much effectiveness.
Don’t share it
COVID-19 is a respiratory virus, and we know that people who have symptoms can certainly transmit the infection to close contacts. If people are sharing things like their phones, the virus may contaminate the device that they’re sharing. And that’s a perfect way to transmit this to other people. As much as you want to trust your fellow humans, trying to control everyone’s behaviour during the pandemic is nigh impossible. Therefore, allowing another person to use your phone isn’t the wisest decision. Who knows where they’ve been and what they’ve exposed themselves to? There’s no need to open yourself to such a risk. Provided you find yourself in a situation where someone must desperately use your phone, ensure they conduct their conversation with a speaker or headset.
Don’t handle your cell phone at the table.
When someone with the new coronavirus sneezes or coughs, the droplets can fall onto a surrounding surface. When you are sharing food in a restaurant, for example, the droplets can get on the food, plate, cutlery or table. If you touch that surface with a droplet containing the virus and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes, you can get COVID-19. When you handle your phone at the table, you increase the chance that you’ll put your phone on these hazardous surfaces. This is an unnecessary risk during the pandemic and is best to be avoided at all costs.
Conclusion
Canadians are a resilient people, and we’ll continue to thrive during and after the COVID era. However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be safe whenever and wherever we can. For instance, don’t allow something, such as an unsanitary cell phone to put your well-being at risk. Follow our tips for maintaining a clean mobile device, and you’ll continue to remain safe from the coronavirus.
