How to Sanitize Your Phone
You’ve got your phone out when someone next to you sneezes. Yuck. With threats like coronavirus, germs, or even unsanitary environments (ever use your phone in the bathroom?), you might wonder, “How often should I clean my phone?”
Handheld devices are famous for picking up germs and bacteria that could carry unseen threats. This post explains how to clean and disinfect your cell phone effectively and covers some of the best ways to sanitize a phone with UV light and other methods.
How to Sanitize a Phone With Anti-Bacterial Wipes
You will need several anti-bacterial wipes to do this properly.
- Wipe down your phone or case to remove visible dirt. Use as many wipes as required. When the wipe comes away clean, the device is ready to sterilize.
- Carefully wipe a fresh anti-bacterial cloth over the front, back, sides, and buttons. Make sure the solution in the wipe contacts all surfaces and allow it to dry naturally. If a wipe shows dirt, clean again until no dirt comes off, and continue with a fresh wipe.
This method is portable and can be used as often as you like.
Should I Use Soap and Water to Clean My Cell Phone?
Cleaning with soap and water can be tricky if your device is not waterproof. This method is not as easy as sanitizing your phone with UV light and some other methods, but it is cost-effective.
- Mix a small amount of anti-bacterial soap in water.
- Dampen a clean, microfiber cloth.
- Gently rub the solution over your phone, drying it as you go. Take care around buttons, the lens, and the seams in the body or case.
- After all visible dirt is gone, repeat the process a final time to make sure the solution contacts every part of the surface.
Make sure to use as little water as possible and dry as you go.
How to Sanitize a Phone With UV Light
The best way to clean a phone completely is to sterilize it after removing the surface dirt. UV light is very effective at sterilizing handheld devices. How well it works will depend on how well you pre-clean your phone since microorganisms can hide under dirt and avoid UV light.
UV light sterilizers for phones are easy to use. You put your phone inside the device and turn it on. After a short time, depending on the intensity of the ultraviolet light, the process is complete.
