The coronavirus is a hardy beast—able to last much longer than your bog-standard virus on surfaces. Much has been made of the importance of cleaning surfaces, washrooms and door handles but your cellphone is something you should add to that list too.
Think about how often you handle that thing. Calling your mom. Checking the news. Finding out what people are saying on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram et al. We’re right, aren’t we? A lot.
In a video on the BBC website, Dr Lena Ciric, a microbiologist from University College London, explains how you can quickly and safely clean your phone using just soap and water.
Soap and water the safest
Most phone manufacturers warn against household cleaners, bleach sprays etc., because the chemicals in them will damage your phone. Soap and water, however, is safe.
The first step it to unplug your cellphone and remove it from its case. Switch it off. Then, you should take a microfiber cloth and dampen it with a mild solution of soap and water. Carefully wipe the surfaces of your phone, being careful to stay away from any of the ‘holes’ as moisture in those openings will damage your phone over time.
Finally, use another clean, dry microfiber cloth to dry and polish your phone.
Reducing microbial activity
Dr Ciric’s tests showed that soap and water effectively destroyed bacteria and viruses on phone surfaces, reducing the relative light units (i.e. the amount of microbial activity) on all the phones she cleaned this way. RLUs should be 50 or less on surfaces.
Apple says 70% alcohol wipes, which can be bought in computer retailers on online, will work on iPhones. There are also devices that use UVC light to clean phones and kill bacteria on them, though these may discolour the phone over time.
The minute you touch your phone again you will reintroduce germs. It’s important, therefore, to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly to help keep the risks low.
Read our piece on safe, thorough hand cleaning here. And for tips on cleaning and disinfecting your home, follow the advice in this article.
Here at Budget Maids we provide House Cleaning Columbia, a maid service in Olney or cleaning services in Columbia and surrounds, and more. Why not email us today on support@budget-maids.com and let us help you keep your home clean and safe?
