Can you believe we’ve been deal with coronavirus for nearly seven months already? It’s true. The World Health Organization declared it a pandemic all the way back in March and things haven’t been the same since.
Thankfully there have been plenty of breakthroughs in technology since then that have made it easier to navigate life. Google Maps even added a hotspot tracker so you know if it’s safe to visit places you’re thinking about traveling to. Tap or click to see how it works.
Original data said COVID could live on your phone for a few days. But a recent study brought even worse news. In the right conditions, COVID can actually survive for almost a month. Don’t freak out, the study used perfect temperature and humidity conditions for the virus to survive so it most likely won’t last a month on your device. But you should still clean it regularly.
Your phone is disgusting
You might not realize just how filthy smartphones can be. Think about how often they are handled and all the places they get taken into. We’re talking about that bacteria-infested restroom.
Now imagine how much bacteria your device collects from all that activity. A 2012 study from the University of Arizona revealed cellphones carry 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats. Yuck!
Really, a toilet seat has less bacteria than your phone? The main reason is toilet seats are typically cleaned much more often than smartphones.
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Did you know the coronavirus can live on your phone for over a week? It’s true. In times like these, you don’t want to take any chances of handling a phone covered in bacteria. Here are the best ways to disinfect your phone.
Cleaning your phone’s screen
Having the proper tools makes DIY jobs easier. For cleaning smartphone screens while killing bacteria, the best solution is to use pre-moistened wipes.
This pack of pre-moistened wipes from Care Touch should do the job. Use them to clean off fingerprints, dust, oil and smudges without using harsh chemicals.
They are safe and effective with a mild antibacterial cleaning solution that kills germs. Good for smartphones, glasses lenses, cameras, laptops and more.
Before cleaning the screen, be sure to remove the case. This way you can clean the case and backside of the phone more liberally without fear of damaging your device.
If you don’t have these disinfecting wipes, you can use a microfiber cloth dampened lightly with a little soap and water. Make sure not to get any water in the devices’ ports — you don’t want to ruin your phone. Most of today’s smartphones are water-resistant but you don’t want to take any chances.
Use UV lights
Passively keeping your phone clean is another great idea. This portable UV light phone sterilizer will do the trick.
No liquid, heat or chemicals are used in this HoMedics smartphone cleaner, so it’s safe to sanitize anything that fits inside. Killing 99.9% of germs, UV-C light can get to the microorganisms hiding in those hard-to-reach crevices.
You’re going to love how easy it is to use. Just press the clean switch to start sterilizing and the machine will stop automatically when the cleaning process has finished.
Eliminate annoying dust
Germs come at you in multiple ways and none more annoying than dust. Now you can eliminate dust easily with this universal cleaning gel. It’s perfect for getting particles out of tough to reach spots.
This simple and convenient cleaning kit can be used for home and office electronics cleaning. Great for items like PC keyboards, car vents, cameras, printers, smartphones, calculators, speakers, air conditioners, TVs and other appliances.
Even better, it’s made of biodegradable material, not sticky to hands, smells sweet with lemon fragrance and there’s no stimulation to skin.
Disinfecting frequently touched objects like your phone is one of the CDCs recommendations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Keep reading for more suggestions.
CDC coronavirus prevention recommendations
There is currently no vaccine or cure for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). According to the Centers for Disease Control, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.
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As a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of respiratory diseases, including the following:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask:
- The CDC does not recommend uninfected people wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of others in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
While following the CDC’s recommendations is no guarantee you won’t get the coronavirus, these practices can’t hurt. Plus, knowing just how nasty the typical smartphone gets in real life should be enough to inspire you to give it a deep clean as often as possible.
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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, advice, or health objectives.
