We cannot deny this: the dirtiest thing that you touch every day is, indeed, your mobile phone. According to research, your cell phone is covered in more than 25,000 bacteria per square inch. This makes it dirtier than a toilet seat, a kitchen countertop, a pet food dish, a doorknob, and even a self-checkout screen.
If you are like most of us, you clean your toilets, your kitchen countertops, and doorknobs regularly, especially in times like these when we are all dealing with a worldwide pandemic. But, are you taking the time to sanitize your phone correctly? Here, we have some tips for doing so, and for keeping your phone, whether it is an Apple iPhone XS, Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus or a Google Pixel 4 XL, as free from germs as possible.
What to Use to Clean Your Phone
The first thing we want to look at is what are the best options for cleaning your phone. The best and most convenient option is to buy pre-moistened sanitizing wipes. You can find these at many different stores, and you can easily find them online. These wipes are made explicitly for killing germs, so make sure you are buying the right ones. Other wipes on the market dont have this germ-killing power, so dont get those by mistake.
Another thing to keep in mind about using the pre-moistened sanitizing wipes is not to choose one that has any rough textures, as some of them are designed for scrubbing. However, these could be too rough for your phone screen, and end up scratching the surface of the phone.
You can also make some DIY options to clean your phone. The first option you have is to use rubbing alcohol. Make sure you dont use it by itself, though. You should mix the rubbing alcohol with an equal amount of water for a 50/50 solution. Pour the solution into a spray bottle, and then lightly mist it onto a soft, microfiber cloth. Only then should you apply it to your phone.
Similar to rubbing alcohol, you can also use white vinegar. You should use it in the same way you would use the alcohol, mix it with water, spray onto a soft, microfiber cloth, and then apply it to your phone.
Again, do not spray these directly onto the phone. When you spray directly onto the phone, the liquid can get into the phone and cause damage. Though it is vital to keep your phone clean, no one wants to have to replace an expensive Apple iPhone XR because of water damage, right?
If you are really in a pinch, you can also use sanitizer gel that you typically would use for your hands. To do this, squeeze a small amount onto a soft cloth or tissue, and then rub it onto the surface of your phone. Make sure, though, that the gel has absorbed into the tissue or the cloth. Again, you dont want this liquid to get into the vulnerable areas of the phone.
Cleaning the Audio Jacks and Speakers
The surface of your phone is not the only thing to clean on the phone. You also need to take a look at the speakers and the audio jacks. Dirt quickly gets into these areas, as do germs, so you want to do your best to clean them out without getting them too damp. Remember, these phones are typically not protected from water damage, and many of the most popular phones on the market, like the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, are not cheap to replace!
To get any debris out of the charging port, you might want to take it to a phone store who are experts at doing this and won’t cost a fortune.Otherwise you can use a toothpick or a needle to remove debris. Just be careful, as some of these items may void any warranty you have on the phone if you damage it in the process.
Notes About Fully Cleaning and Sanitizing a Phone
Now that you know the basics about how to clean your phone thoroughly, there are a few more things you should know.
First, dont try to clean your phone without taking off the case. Germs can easily hide under the case, so if you are only cleaning the surface of the case, you arent going to get the area under the case. Just because you dont often touch that area, that doesnt mean you shouldnt clean it.
Again, and we have mentioned this before, you want to do everything you can to keep any excess moisture from getting onto your phone. This is why you shouldnt spray your phone with a cleanser or spray it directly onto your phone.
It is also recommended that you wipe and clean the phone a couple of times to ensure that you are getting every part of the surface area.
Paying extra attention to the phone screen is also essential. This is the area where you are touching the most, so it is the area that you want to be extra clean. Because the surface of the screen is more delicate than you might think, you cant use anything that is abrasive. We mentioned the rough surface cloths, but also watch out for cleansers with baking soda or microbeads, as these could damage the screen, too.
You also want to make sure that you are giving extra focus to the case. The case you have could be made out of a variety of materials, so you may have to do a bit of research on the case to see what the best way to clean it might be. Some cases can be thoroughly washed with soap and water, but others may have electronics or batteries in them, so you must be aware of this before you start the cleaning process.
By taking all of this information to heart, you can be sure that your phone is always clean. It is best to do this type of cleaning each day, and you should even do it when you buy a new phone. You never know who could have touched your phone during the manufacturing and packing process, and those germs could still be living on the surface of the phone. Some specialist online phone sellers in Australia like Phonebot are also giving away free hand sanitizers with purchases over $400 so if you’re looking for a new phone in Australia do make sure to check them out.