It's flu season again, and with this year's flu shot not being as effective as some years, extra vigilance is required to try and stay healthy this year. One way to do that is to make sure your smartphone is as clean as possible. Charles Gerba, microbiologist at University of Arizona, states that the average smartphone has more than 10 times the bacteria on it than most toilet seats!
Here's a few tips to keeping your iPhone 8, iPhone X, and your Samsung Galaxy Note8 germ free this cold and flu season:
Wash and sanitize your hands regularly. This goes a long way in helping to prevent coming down with a bug, and it also is helpful in keeping your phone or tablet clean. Germs travel easily from hands to devices (and things like light switches, doorknobs, etc.) Clean hands transfer fewer germs so wash those hands. Singing the ABCs or Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (they are the same tune) while you wash your hands helps ensure you wash long enough!
Disinfect devices and cases regularly. Using a disinfectant wipe that does NOT contain bleach can help reduce germs on your devices. Wring out the wipe several times to minimize the amount of moisture that gets near your phone. After using the disinfectant, wipe with a microfiber cloth. Or you could invest in a special cleaners made just for electronics. U.S. Cellular Stores sell Gadget Guard Greener Cleaner.
The most difficult places to clean on a iPhone are the headphone jack, charging port, speaker and microphone. Do not use a toothpick or cotton swap to clean these tiny places. They can damage circuitry and/or leave behind cotton fibers. Amazon sells a putty that has been created specifically for electronics called Cyber Clean.
Don't use devices in the bathroom. This should be a no-brainer because of the amount of moisture in that room and the risk of dropping your phone in the loo. (I know someone who has dropped multiple phones in the toilet and had to replace each one.) Yet, 61% of people, according to an Inc.com survey, said they use their phone in the restroom. The habit of "toilet texting" can cause users to become ill as germs from the bathroom can wind up on the phone.
