Updated information to disinfect your phone in a pandemic affected world

clean phone germs

While some rules have remained the same since the start of the outbreak, updates have been issued.

Knowing how to disinfect your phone is always a good idea, but in a pandemic crisis, it becomes particularly important to stay on top of the latest recommended strategies.

For the latest information about the COVID-19 pandemic, visit the WHO or CDC website.

It’s always a good idea to properly disinfect your phone. It can help you to avoid more than just exposure to the coronavirus (which can remain on your device screen for days, by the way). You can also reduce your risk of other infections including everything from the common cold to the flu (influenza) and others. This isn’t just the case if you take your phone out of your home. If you bring your phone into the bathroom with you and leave without cleaning it, scientists and doctors compare the behavior to using the bathroom without washing your hands afterward.

That said, as one of the surfaces you touch the most during a day, your cleaning your smartphone properly should be among your leading coronavirus protection strategies, just like properly washing your hands and avoiding touching your mouth, nose and eyes. That said, the process may not be as obvious as it seems. The reason is that not all cleaners kill or wash away viruses and bacteria, and not all those that do are safe for your device.

The following are some handy tips to disinfect your phone without ruining it as you do.

Clorox wipes are still considered to be one of the most convenient options for wiping down your entire device to clean it without causing damage. That said, no single effort is perfect. Therefore, many people now prefer a two-pronged approach to keeping their devices as clean as possible. This involves an additional step over what had originally been recommended near the start of the pandemic, but it can provide a substantially more thorough result in a small amount of time.

The first step is to use a UVC light sterilizer wand to kill much of the germs on the device in a matter of 10 to 20 seconds (assuming you use a good quality gadget). After you’ve done both sides of your phone with the light, the next step is a safe cleansing wipe that will help to kill any remaining germs and wipe off living or dead microscopic organisms as well as dirt and skin oils.

Equally important when you disinfect your phone is avoiding using the wrong products and techniques. Avoid using pure alcohol on your device, for example. Rubbing alcohol can strip many of the important coatings from your touchscreen, damaging the display as well as the device ports. It’s best to avoid the DIY mixtures you see online, too, as they will either damage your device or be inadequate to sterilize your phone if not perfectly mixed. If you want to use your own alcohol product, AT&T and Samsung both Disinfect your phone - mobile phonerecommend a light spray of 70% isopropyl alcohol on a soft, lint-free cloth and wipe down the (unplugged) phone. Do not use a soaking wet cloth.

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