It’s no secret that our smartphones are filthy. There are any number of scientific studies documenting such. Our phones go everywhere with us and often times to places where contamination is high making it a breeding ground for germs of all kinds. They touch our faces, ears, lips, and hands. And who knows what our hands have touched prior to or after handling our phone. Keeping our phones reasonably sanitary is a smart way to keep germs off our fingers and away from our face. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider phones to be a “high-touch surface”. Therefore, it seems prudent that we clean our smartphones regularly.
It is important that when cleaning a phone, it is done correctly to prevent damage to the phone or phone screen. Users should check with their individual phone manufacturers for specific guidelines. In general, most manufacturers suggest using ordinary household disinfecting wipes or 70% isopropyl alcohol-based wipes to disinfect phones, including the screen. Wipes containing bleach should not be used on the screen as it will eat away at the oleophobic coating used to help prevent fingerprint smudges. In all cases, one must avoid getting moisture into openings like the ports, switches, and camera lens as well as between the screen and the screen cover.
While there are some ultraviolet light sanitizing devices available to buy, they have not been proven to be effect for viruses.
