Experts say our phones are germier than a toilet seat! Here's how to easily keep it clean. (Getty)(Getty)
No one wants to think about how dirty their phone might be. It's probably the most high-touch surface in your personal universe, and chances are you frequently set it down on counters, tables, desks and more — areas that get plenty of action and could be crawling with germs. Scientists at the University of Arizona found that cell phones actually carry 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats.
The good news: We're going to teach you how to clean your phone properly. Once you get in the habit, you'll be golden. Speaking of habits, Dr. Emily Martin, a member of the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, addresses a familiar one: "Taking a cell phone in and out of the bathroom is kind of like going in there, not washing your hands and then coming back out." Touché! So don't bring your phone in there at all!
Most people don't think to sanitize their phones, but according to several studies, it makes a big difference. Believe it or not, deep-cleaning your phone does not require harsh chemicals. Scroll for a quick, easy step-by-step plan.
According to the Economic Times and SellCell, multiple swab tests found that 100% of phone screens contained E. coli; several other bacteria, like bacillus cereus (responsible for intense food poisoning) and certain things we don't even want to mention were also found on smartphones in large quantities.
You may be tempted to grab some household cleaner or hand sanitizer to deep clean your phone, but the folks at CNET and several other tech outlets advise against this. These products could have ethyl alcohol and fragrances that might harm your device. All you need to safely get the job done thoroughly and effectively is a lint-free microfiber cloth and 70% isopropyl alcohol.
With a whopping 56,000+ five-star reviews on Amazon, these lint-free cleaning cloths are an easy win. Each comes in its own little bag, so you can toss them in your pocket without them picking up dust and debris. They come in sets of two, six, 13 and 30 — depending on how prone you are to misplacing this sort of thing.
Yup, isopropyl alcohol (diluted with water) is the best solution for killing germs on the surface of your phone.
First introduced on Shark Tank, the PhoneSoap UV light is a great option for effortless disinfecting, killing 99% of germs in five minutes. Just open the lid, place your phone inside, then close the lid. That's it. The outer light shows you that sanitizing has started. When the light goes out, your phone is ready.
This armband phone case has more than 7,000 five-star reviews. It'll keep your phone safely attached to your body while you work out, so you're not tempted to set it down on potentially germy surfaces at the gym.
Some experts recommend sanitizing your phone every day. Others say twice a week is fine, but you definitely should wipe the screen clean daily with a lint-free cloth. Important note: If you have a screen protector that's cracked, toss it — those little dings and crevices can harbor bacteria buildup. Now here's how to sanitize your phone.
Step 1: Turn off the phone, unplug it and take off the case (the corners and creases can trap germs). Wipe your phone's screen gently with a microfiber cloth. Be sure to give extra focus to the camera's lenses and edges.
Step 2: Mix a 50/50 solution of 70% isopropyl alcohol and tap water. Apply a tiny of the solution to the cloth. But sure to only lightly dampen the cloth. We are not looking for saturation and you do not want a wet cloth for this purpose.
Step 3: Wipe down the entire phone (front, back, sides), taking extra care to avoid any openings, with little force. Wipe down the phone case (paying special attention to corners). It's recommended that you do not use compressed air to clean your phone.
Voila. Your phone is sanitized!
If you'd rather pay for the convenience of having your phone sanitized for you, you totally can. UV-light cleaners are available and they're legit. And they're so easy to use, you won't think twice about disinfecting daily. Devices like PhoneSoap eliminate 99.99% of germs and bacteria on the surface of phones and other small tech items.
Here are some smart tips for regularly lowering your phone's gross factor.
Avoid using your phone on public transit: It's no secret that buses, trains, planes and ride shares are breeding grounds for bacteria. Railings, handles, poles, armrests — germs are everywhere. Touch a surface, touch your phone, and germs can easily transfer.
Don't take your phone into the bathroom: A 2018 study released by Bank My Cell found that three in four Americans call, text or scroll on their phones while using the restroom. As you know, there are lots of germs and bacteria on bathroom surfaces, so the best plan is simply to not take your phone into the bathroom.
At the gym, stow your phone or strap it to your arm: Sure, gym-goers wipe down equipment, but those machines are probably not as thoroughly sanitized as they should be. So keep your phone off the equipment. Use a protective phone strap like the one below or simply stash your phone in a zippered pocket or a closed gym bag.
Avoid using the phone while cooking — instead, print out recipes: Illness-causing bacteria like E. coli and salmonella from raw meat can contaminate your phone without you even knowing, especially if you're scrolling through a recipe while you cook. This can sometimes result in serious illness. To be safe, keep your phone out of the kitchen when you're cooking; wash your hands thoroughly before handling it again.