While it’s impossible to avoid germ-infested surfaces in our daily lives, it is needless to say that it’s essential to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, especially during the ongoing challenging Coronavirus outbreak. However, amidst all this, what’s that one surface that frequently comes in contact with your hands and you often hold it near your face?

Correct, that’s your mobile phone.

When it comes to cleaning your phone, ensure that you never spray anything directly onto the phone, and avoid over-saturating, as you don't want your phone to become wet.

Published in the Journal of Hospital Infection is the assessed data from 22 studies on human coronaviruses that suggests that the contagious coronavirus can remain infectious on inanimate surfaces for up to nine days at room temperature. So, it’s time for a wipe!

Below are some step-by-step guidelines (suggested by leading smartphone manufacturers) that tell you how to safely clean your phone without damaging it:

1. Switch off your phone, unplug all accessories and remove the phone from the cover/case:
2. Use a microfiber cloth to clean it up: Unlike paper-based materials, microfiber cloths clean the sensitive glass on the smartphones keeping the risk of scratches at bay.
3. Spray Lizol on the cloth and gently wipe the screen while avoiding ports: Use products that are safe for electronic items and can remove germs effectively. As instructed by some of the leading mobile phone giants, Lizol or 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox disinfecting wipes can be used.
4. Allow the phone to air dry for 4-5 minutes: It is essential to let the smartphone air dry (after you have sanitized it) for a few minutes before you switch it on again.
5. Wipe the phone with microfiber cloth or paper tissue once more: Wipe off any moisture, in case it’s left on the screen. Do not use the same microfiber cloth or paper tissue as in point 2 since it might contain dirt or germs.
6. For the phone case/cover, repeat point 2 to 5: Since it is the mobile cover/case that mostly comes in contact with foreign surfaces, sanitization should not be ignored.

A quick wipe down of your smartphone with a microfiber cloth/tissue is really effective if done on a regular basis. Also, you can keep a few microfiber cloths/tissues handy on your table and use them to quickly wipe away the dirt on the screen every day.

Wiping with Lizol or 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox disinfecting wipes should be done at least twice a week ideally. Do remember, dettol or soapy water should be avoided as this can lead to water damage to your smartphone.

#InfectionFreeMobilePhone #KeepItCoronavirusFree