How to clean your cell phone?

Handled more than 150 times a day, the smartphone is a veritable nest of germs. But it is also a fragile device that should not be cleaned out just any way. Here are the things to do and the mistakes to avoid.

Handled a hundred times a day on the bus, during meals or after shaking hands with your colleagues, your mobile phone screen contains more bacteria than the toilet bowl, according to a 2017 study. A real germ nest that should be cleaned regularly so as not to spread potential diseases. Unfortunately, wiping your screen with the edge of a T-shirt will not be very effective. But spraying it with disinfectant isn’t a good idea either.

Clean your phone: avoid

Window cleaning products, household detergent, solvent, products based onammonia oralcohol. Recent phones have an oleophobic protective layer which can deteriorate over time with this type of product.
Paper towels or paper towels: Although these materials may not seem abrasive at first glance, their structure can damage the screen.
Spray cleanser directly. The liquid risk of getting into the device.
Do not immerse the phone in water. Even when it is supposed to be waterproof, the phone is mostly splash proof and must not be totally submerged.
Dry the phone with a hair dryer. Remember: the telephone don’t like heat.
Reconnect the phone when it is still wet.

Handled several times a day in the street, on the bus, at home or in the office …, the mobile phone is a nest of germs that should be cleaned regularly. © nenetus, Adobe Stock

Cleaning your phone: the right things to do

Unplug the phone from any power source and turn it off.
Remove it from its shell or its case that you will clean separately (for a case in silicone, immerse it in soapy water).
Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth, such as an eyeglass cloth.
In case of stubborn marks, dampen the cloth with hot soapy water and gently rub the screen. You can also use special cleaning solutions sold in telephone shops.
Don’t forget the buttons on the side, which are also handled very frequently, and the hard-to-reach places conducive to the development of bacteria.

How often should you clean your phone?

The screen should be wiped clean every day. Schedule a deep cleaning once a week depending on the intensity of use or after handling it in a dirty area. To limit the contamination, wash your hands regularly, especially after going to the toilet and avoid using it at the table.