With the Corona virus not far from everyone's minds and the precautions that individuals took to protect their health. It is not a far stretch to consider the possible germs and bacteria that have potentially taken up residence on our cell phones. Mobile devices are never far from most individuals. They are constantly being touched, placed down, picked up and placed near the face. A study published in 2017 found that cell phone screens were host to multiple viruses and bacteria including: E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus.  Depending on the temperature and relative humidity, cold and flu viruses can survive from a few hours to up to 9 days.

You should make an effort to keep their cell phones clean, germ-free and "safe". You do not need harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubs to properly clean your cell phone. Prior to beginning the cleaning regiment be sure to turn the cell phone off. If you are using a 3rd party protective case or housing, remove the case from the phone and clean it separately.

In order to clean the surface of a touchscreen, use a soft lint free or micro fiber cloth, similar to those used to clean eyeglasses or camera lenses. A micro fiber cloth will remove the oil from fingers and smudges from the screen. Do not attempt to use any type of abrasive or patterned cloth or towel, as they could potentially scratch the cell phone's screen. Most cell phones have an oleophobic coating on the surface of the screen that repels the oils from hands. The effectiveness of the coating will degrade and lessen over time, using harsh chemicals or abrasive chemicals will hasten the degradation of the oleophobic coating.  

Be sure to never apply sprays or cleaners directly to the cell phone or touchscreen.  Cotton swabs are fantastic for reaching corners and crevices. You can dip the top of the swab into alcohol or warm water to remove any sticky residue that may have built up. You can also use alcohol wipes, antibacterial wipes or disinfecting wipes to wipe the case and remove dirt or germs. Avoid using excess moisture to when cleaning your cell phone and never submerge the phone in water. Allow the cell phone and protective case to air-dry completely before reassembling.

Also, there are now small ultraviolet light sanitzers available on the market. The ultraviolet light kills bacteria without using moisture or excessive heat. You can clean an array of portable electronics and even car keys using the ultraviolet light sanitizers.

Make cleaning your cell phone part of your routine, and stay healthy!

Article Date: June 8, 2020