With the need to ensure good personal hygiene around us more pressing than ever, keeping your smartphone free from dust, germs, harmful bacteria, and even viruses, is important. We are in the middle of the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic after all. It is important to know how to clean your phone without damaging it. There are many reports of smartphone owners attempting to sanitizing theirs and ending up with damaged devices.
Viruses can survive on surfaces for as long as three days, according to professors from the University of Los Angeles and Princeton. Washing your hands often can be beneficial for you but may eventually be counterproductive when you end up picking up your unclean smartphone to use again. Hence the need for you to also clean your phone.
There are certain ways to reduce the risk of picking up bacteria or viruses from your smartphone. Apple says that you can use disinfectant wipes with around 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol content to clean your smartphone without posing any danger to the wellbeing of the device.
However, one simple solution that works for sanitizing your phone is the same one that alreaady works for your hands – simple soap and water. But you must apply it in a way that will not damage your smartphone.
How To Clean Your Phone Without Damaging It
The best way to go about sanitizing your smartphone is to first switch it off, then remove it from its case (or pouch), if you use one. Next, you need to wipe it with a microfiber cleaning cloth (seen in knits and mats) which will pick up the dust and dirt from your smartphone rather than smear the screen. If you do not have a microfiber cloth, use a soft cloth, wipes, cotton wool, or even tissue paper.
You can proceed to apply a small amount of liquid soap to the soft cloth so that it is mildly moist, then wipe down the phone’s surfaces with it. As mentioned earlier, you can also use anti-bacterial multi-purpose wipes like Lysol. Note: we want the cloth or wipe mildly moist. You do not want liquid getting into your phone and damaging it.
It is advised that you do not spray your device directly with liquid soap or with anti-bacterial spray, as any moisture or humidity that gets under the display or into the ports can damage it. Even if your smartphone is water-proof, you do not want to take the risk.
Also look out for the alcohol content of the product you intend to use, ensuring that it is not above 70% isopropyl alcohol. Again, a simple liquid soap solution works. That is what you already wash your hands with anyway.
After wiping your device down with the solution, wipe it again with a clean piece of cloth and leave it to air-dry. Of course, if you use a case with your smartphone, you should sanitize the case in a similar manner. Do not forget to wash your hands thoroughly before picking up your now clean smartphone again for use.
Remember these two key points: soap and water in a moist soft cloth is best, and: do not apply liquids directly to your smartphone. That is the way to clean your phone without damaging it.
How often should you clean your phone?
In a pandemic period, as often as you come in contact with public surfaces like railings, door nobs, etc. So, each time you get home, clean it it. If you are staying at home in a lockdown, once a day is good enough.
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