We all relyheavily on our cell phones and need them to work efficiently every day. For
most of us, the first thing we think about when someone asks, “have you
ever cleaned up your cell phone” is how to remove junk files and the
hundreds of bad photos to gain some storage space.
most of us, the first thing we think about when someone asks, “have you
ever cleaned up your cell phone” is how to remove junk files and the
hundreds of bad photos to gain some storage space.
But the first thing that should come to mind about cleaning a cell phone is
removing the potentially deadly microbes and bacteria that
are covering your phone every day. Each time you touch your phone, you transfer
bacteria to and from your hands, face, and every surface that the cell phone
has touched. Ever drop your cell phone in a public restroom? Yuck.
removing the potentially deadly microbes and bacteria that
are covering your phone every day. Each time you touch your phone, you transfer
bacteria to and from your hands, face, and every surface that the cell phone
has touched. Ever drop your cell phone in a public restroom? Yuck.
Supplies You Need
to Clean and Sanitize Your Cell Phone
·
Distilled water
Distilled water
·
Isopropyl alcohol, 70%
Isopropyl alcohol, 70%
·
Spray bottle
Spray bottle
·
Cotton swabs or wooden toothpicks
Cotton swabs or wooden toothpicks
NEVER Use These Things to Clean a Cell Phone
·
Window or household cleaners
Window or household cleaners
·
Compressed air
Compressed air
·
Aerosol spray cleaners
Aerosol spray cleaners
·
Solvents
Solvents
·
Bleach
Bleach
·
Ammonia
Ammonia
·
Abrasive powders
Abrasive powders
It is essential to avoid excess moisture when cleaning, which can damage
interior electronics. Most cell phone screens, especially smartphones’ glass
surfaces, have an oleophobic coating that repels oils from hands and fingers.
The coating’s effectiveness will lessen over time but using anything abrasive
on the glass will hasten the loss and scratch the surface permanently.
interior electronics. Most cell phone screens, especially smartphones’ glass
surfaces, have an oleophobic coating that repels oils from hands and fingers.
The coating’s effectiveness will lessen over time but using anything abrasive
on the glass will hasten the loss and scratch the surface permanently.
7 Easy Steps for a
Germ-Free Cell Phone
These thorough cleaning steps should be done weekly to keep a phone relatively
germ-free.
germ-free.
1.
Unplug your phone and any
attachments. Earbuds or chargers
should be cleaned separately. Turn off the phone.
Unplug your phone and any
attachments. Earbuds or chargers
should be cleaned separately. Turn off the phone.
2.
Remove any protective cases or
covers. These should also be cleaned separately before reinserting the phone.
Remove any protective cases or
covers. These should also be cleaned separately before reinserting the phone.
3.
In a small spray bottle, mix a
one-to-one ratio of distilled water and 70% isopropyl alcohol. The
distilled water is essential if you live in an area that has hard water, which
is filled with microscopic minerals that can scratch the glass on the phone. Give
the bottle a good shake.
In a small spray bottle, mix a
one-to-one ratio of distilled water and 70% isopropyl alcohol. The
distilled water is essential if you live in an area that has hard water, which
is filled with microscopic minerals that can scratch the glass on the phone. Give
the bottle a good shake.
4.
Lightly spray a lint-free
microfiber cloth with the water and isopropyl mixture. NEVER spray the phone
directly. Do not over-wet the cloth.
Lightly spray a lint-free
microfiber cloth with the water and isopropyl mixture. NEVER spray the phone
directly. Do not over-wet the cloth.
5.
Use the cloth to wipe down the
entire phone front and back.
Use the cloth to wipe down the
entire phone front and back.
6.
If small areas like the space
around the camera lens, attachment ports or buttons show signs of gunk
build-up, gently use a dry cotton swab or wooden toothpick to clean those
areas. Once any build-up is removed, wipe down the area again with the slightly
damp microfiber cloth.
If small areas like the space
around the camera lens, attachment ports or buttons show signs of gunk
build-up, gently use a dry cotton swab or wooden toothpick to clean those
areas. Once any build-up is removed, wipe down the area again with the slightly
damp microfiber cloth.
7.
Allow the phone to air dry
completely for at least 15 minutes before reinserting it into any case.
Allow the phone to air dry
completely for at least 15 minutes before reinserting it into any case.
Cleaning a Cell Phone Case
There’s not much benefit to cleaning your cell phone ifyou are going to reinsert it into a dirty protective case! Whether made
from silicone, hard plastic or leather, most cell phone case models have
textured edges to provide a better grip on the phone. Take a look at those
edges. They are probably disgusting.
from silicone, hard plastic or leather, most cell phone case models have
textured edges to provide a better grip on the phone. Take a look at those
edges. They are probably disgusting.
Once the phone has been removed, silicone cases can be
completely submerged and washed in a solution of warm water and a bit of
dishwashing soap. Use a soft cloth to gently scrub the textured edges. Rinse
well and allow to air dry completely before reinserting the phone. For daily
cleaning, wipe down the case with a microfiber cloth dampened with the
distilled water and rubbing alcohol solution.
completely submerged and washed in a solution of warm water and a bit of
dishwashing soap. Use a soft cloth to gently scrub the textured edges. Rinse
well and allow to air dry completely before reinserting the phone. For daily
cleaning, wipe down the case with a microfiber cloth dampened with the
distilled water and rubbing alcohol solution.
For hard plastic cases, remove the phone and wipe down
the entire case with the distilled water and alcohol solution on a lint-free
cloth. Use a cotton swab dipped in the water/alcohol solution to clean the
small button and lens opening areas. Dry with a clean, lint-free cloth and
check that the case is completely dry before reinserting the phone.
the entire case with the distilled water and alcohol solution on a lint-free
cloth. Use a cotton swab dipped in the water/alcohol solution to clean the
small button and lens opening areas. Dry with a clean, lint-free cloth and
check that the case is completely dry before reinserting the phone.
After removing the phone, leather cases should
be cleaned with a saddle soap formulated specifically for leather and then
treated with a leather conditioner. Allow the case to dry completely before
reinserting the phone.
be cleaned with a saddle soap formulated specifically for leather and then
treated with a leather conditioner. Allow the case to dry completely before
reinserting the phone.
How to Clean Cell Phone Accessories
Use the one-to-one distilled water and 70% isopropyl
alcohol solution and a microfiber cloth to wipe down earbuds, chargers, and
other cell phone accessories. Remember to mist the cloth lightly–never
over-wet–and allow the accessories to air dry completely before using.
alcohol solution and a microfiber cloth to wipe down earbuds, chargers, and
other cell phone accessories. Remember to mist the cloth lightly–never
over-wet–and allow the accessories to air dry completely before using.
Tips to Keep Your Cell Phone Cleaner and Germ-Free
·
Clean your cell phone immediately
if it comes into contact with anything that might cause stains like make-up, ink, dye or sticky foods.
Clean your cell phone immediately
if it comes into contact with anything that might cause stains like make-up, ink, dye or sticky foods.
·
Wash your hands more often and
consider skipping bathroom texting. The cleaner your hands, the cleaner your
phone.
Wash your hands more often and
consider skipping bathroom texting. The cleaner your hands, the cleaner your
phone.
·
Use an antimicrobial cover. They
are readily available to fit most phone brands.
Use an antimicrobial cover. They
are readily available to fit most phone brands.
·
Consider investing in a small
ultraviolet light sanitizer. There are several on the market that will hold your
phone, car keys, and other small items that you use every day. The ultraviolet
light kills bacteria without using excessive heat or moisture that could damage
electronics.
Consider investing in a small
ultraviolet light sanitizer. There are several on the market that will hold your
phone, car keys, and other small items that you use every day. The ultraviolet
light kills bacteria without using excessive heat or moisture that could damage
electronics.