Take a moment and review where your hands have been in the last 15 minutes. You probably had to switch on the lights or open a door. Maybe you used a restroom. Doing any of those means that you have picked up bacteria because we share those spaces with other people—and millions of microscopic life forms.
There is something else you have probably done in the last 15 minutes that has transferred more bacteria to your hands and face than any of those minor tasks. Most likely, you used your smartphone. Recent studies show that your smartphone is 7 times dirtier than your toilet. That bacteria makes its way to your hands and face approximately every 12 minutes, according to the national average.
What is on our phones?
Basically, everything you touch throughout the day has germs that eventually make it to your phone. If you answer a call while cooking, bacteria from those tasks make their way to your phone. If you take your phone to the restroom, you wash your hands afterwards, but the germs are still on your phone. A study done by the London School of Hygiene found fecal matter on 1 out of every 6 smartphones.
Even your desk may be transferring bacteria to your phone every day. The University of Arizona found that the typical workspace has hundreds of times more bacteria than the office’s toilet seat. This is probably due to being cleaned far less often as well as your near-constant presence at that space.
In addition to commonplace bacteria, other studies have found dangerous pathogens on phones: MRSA, E. coli, and Streptococcus.
How do I sanitize my phone?
Because we use our phones constantly, some researchers recommend sanitizing your device on a daily basis. How you sanitize your phone depends on what type of device you have.
Apple recommends that you do not use any type of liquid or disinfectant on their devices. You can access specific cleaning instructions for your Apple device by using this link. There you will find recommendations based on the model of your device.
Waterproof devices can be wiped down with a solution made from rubbing alcohol and distilled water. Devices that are not waterproof need to be cleaned with extra care to avoid damage. Lysol wipes may be a good tool for cleaning devices that are not waterproof.
If you are interested in more cutting-edge technology for cleanliness, you can check out UV lights that are designed to kill 99.99% of bacteria.
Whatever type of phone you use, sanitizing is a quick task that can keep you healthy.