Hygiene is back in focus with the outbreak of Covid-19. We all are busy trying to keep our hands and surroundings virus-free. However, we must not forget to clean our mobile phones, which experts believe is an overlooked source of microbes like bacteria, viruses and fungi.
While regularly washing hands is good habit, doing it every time you touch your phone may not be feasible. So, keeping your handset clean is a wise option. It’s better to consult the manufacturer of your phone for cleaning instructions to avoid damaging your device or case.
Apple has recommended using 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol wipes or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to wipe down any hard, nonporous surfaces. This should not be used on leather or fabric. Experts advise against the use of chlorine bleach.
Make sure to clean your handset soon after someone has sneezed or coughed near it. Do this even if you clean your phone often. In addition, it would be a good idea to clean your phone “on a regular basis,” although not necessarily every time you touch it.
As far as the frequency, this will vary with your habits. If you are being diligent about washing your hands, you would need to clean the screen less often, maybe once or twice a day. Unless you are in a home with someone who has infected with COVID-19 virus, it’s relatively unlikely that your phone has any virus on it. In that case, there’s any reason to clean your phone more than once a day.
