Do you clean your phone and other devices? Here’s why you should do it. NOW!
How many different places and things do your hands touch during the day? Now think about how many times you touch your phone…
It should be no surprise that many smartphones and tablets are dirtier than a toilet seat. And a study from the University in Surrey has actually proved it. Researchers dipped phones into Petri dishes and watched growths of bacteria flourish and explode. Touchscreen phones were found to be one of the dirtiest surfaces people touch all day – even dirtier than public toilet seat or your pet bowl. Yet our electronic devices – the very ones we tend to use daily – are often the ones we forget to clean. The remedy is clear, just remember to give your phone, tablet and other electronic devices a clean every now and then again.
- Turn off your device and unplug any cables, if there are any. Remove cases or covers.
- The screen of touchscreen devices are often the dirtiest parts. Use a dry, lint-free microfiber cloth (often it comes with your device so it’s a good idea to keep it) because even the softest tissues can scratch the surface. Don’t use any cleaners with alcohol or ammonia on electronic devices. These are too harsh. Lightly dampen cloth and clean touchscreen, shell and camera lens.
- Clean your keyboard, stylus, mouse and other accessories you often use too. If there’s debris in the ports of your device, do not use compressed air to blast it away as it causes damage. Use a dry paint brush or tooth brush to loosen any dirt.
- Clean your cases and covers. With plastic cases, use a cleaning wipe or multi-purpose disinfectants or if it’s a leather case, use an appropriate leather cleaner.
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