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It’s no secret that most of us spend a lot of time on our phones. I bet you’re reading this on a phone right now! We take these modern-day marvels with us wherever we go. They get shoved in coat pockets and bags, poked and prodded by fingers, join us at meals, and–let’s be honest–journey to the bathroom.
Many studies have found that phones are many times more filthy than the average toilet seat. They can be contaminated with a huge variety of nasty gunk, including:
That last item is a major concern because of the ongoing pandemic. As the annual cold and flu season joins forces with COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to disinfect phones, tablets, and keyboards.
Put down the industrial-strength bleach! I know that you probably want to take a blowtorch to your smartphone right now after reading all that, but drastic measures aren’t needed. Instead, all you need is some rubbing alcohol, a microfiber cloth, and maybe a couple of cotton swabs.
After years of telling customers to clean their iPhones with a cloth and a little distilled water, Apple revised their guidelines in March of this year. Now, they recommend using 70% isopropyl alcohol.
The company stated that “you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don’t use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don’t submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don’t use on fabric or leather surfaces.”
You can use bleach wipes on the hard surfaces of most devices, but be aware that they could damage the fingerprint-resistant coating. Wipes are more convenient, but you don’t necessarily need them to get the job done.
First, remove the case. Then grab a spray bottle filled with a 70% rubbing alcohol solution. Very lightly spray a disposable microfiber cloth with the alcohol. Don’t spray directly on the device itself! That could introduce too much moisture to the fragile electronics.
Gently wipe down all the surfaces. Use a cotton swab to get into the nooks and crannies. Go over your phone’s case, too. You don’t have to be quite as delicate with it. Make sure to let everything completely dry before putting the case back on the phone. Toss the cloth and swabs, and then wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap.
