Did you know the smartphone has 10 times more germs than a toilet seat? According to a study published by the University of Arizona, cellphones are highly contaminated devices and can carry all kinds of bacteria. It’s no wonder why.  We carry our phones everywhere with us, from the office to the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom - all around. But, very few are actually aware of all the germs these devices can acquire just by sitting on a raft near a public bathroom. 
Businessman Hand Holding Smartphone With Blank Screen, panorama
The real question is, can you get rid of all the germs and still keep carrying the phone with you? The answer is yes. Here, we will talk about the ways you can protect your smartphone, how to keep your phone germ free. So, without further ado, let’s get right to it.  The idea of holding something so unhygienic close to the skin does seem disgusting. To keep the phone germ free you need the right strategy. Of course, you should also avoid ruining your phone screen in the process.  Here are all the do’s and don’ts for eliminating all the bacteria from your smartphone that anyone can try. 

Do’s to Keep Your Smartphone Germ Free

Every smartphone manufacturer has its own cleaning instructions. Some models are more fragile than others. But, they all have the same methods you can use that can safely clean their surface without destroying their display. Here are a few methods you should try.

 1. Use a Lint-Free/Microfiber Cloth to Wipe the Phone

Lint-free or microfiber cloth is an excellent wipe for cleaning fragile screen surfaces. It is very smooth to touch and won’t scratch the screen with multiple uses. It creates plenty of friction but without being too rough. It can remove the germs and bacteria stuck on the surface. However, this type of cloth has to be regularly washed since it can harbor bacteria the longer it’s used. 

 2. Use a Wet Wipe and Then a Dry Cloth to Clean the Phone

Take a wet wipe, or dampen it in a preferably 40 to 60 alcohol mixture and carefully clean the device. Make sure the wipe is not too wet since it can destroy the screen and buttons. Afterward, wipe the surface with a dry cloth to remove any remaining droplets. 

 3. Wash Your Hands After Using The Phone

No matter how often you clean the phone, you should always wash your hands. Use a hand sanitizer to quickly de-germ your skin before you eat or go to bed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7ubXTu4MO0

Don’ts to Keep Your Smartphone Germ Free 

Here are a few methods you shouldn’t use, especially if you want to protect your smartphone, how to keep your phone germ free. If you do any of these things, you risk damaging your device, for example:  

 1. Spray Water Directly Onto the Display

While it’s true that you can wash your hands to remove the germs, that’s not the case with a phone. The entire device can get ruined if you submerge it into water. 

 2. Use a Glass Cleaner with Ammonia

The smartphone display is indeed made out of glass. But, it’s combined with other materials too. Using a glass cleaner, particularly the one with Ammonia can destroy the display, not clean it.

 3. Wipe the Display With an Abrasive Cloth

The abrasive cloth is too rough and creates too much friction. This is not something you should use on a phone.  Have you tried any of these methods before? Let us know in the comments below. 

References

https://cals.arizona.edu/news/why-your-cellphone-has-more-germs-toilet https://time.com/4908654/cell-phone-bacteria/ https://www.asurion.com/connect/tech-tips/keeping-your-phone-clean-germ-free-the-dos-and-donts/