Our phones are with us everywhere we go. It’s likely the object we touch the most throughout the day without even realizing it. But where else have our hands been before reaching back to tap on our phone screens? Bathrooms, subways, and food — oh my! After all, we scoop up our phones unthinkingly and even more horrifyingly lift them up and press them against our faces. Our phones are being directly exposed to the many germs we encounter throughout the day. Here are some of the things that phones are shockingly dirtier than and how to clean up this mess.
Phones have 10x More Bacteria than Toilet Seats
A recent study carried out by scientists at the University of Arizona discovered that cell phones carry 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats. This is because everyday items like phones and remotes are often left out of the cleaning routine. Honestly, think about the last time you cleaned your phone versus the last time you cleaned your toilet…
According to Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona and one of the researchers of the aforementioned study, the amount of germs on your device is not really the problem, rather how we spread the germs bysharing our phones amongst each other. Phones spend a lot of time in close proximity to our faces and mouths. If we are sick, our germs stick to the device. If we then let our family or friends use it, they’re then exposed to those germs.
There’s Poop on Your Phone
Yep, you read that right. Considering75% of Americans use their phone while in the toiletthis actually should be expected! A study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Queen Mary, University of London analyzed hundreds of swab samples from 12 U.K. cities. The study found that16% of both hands and phones of the respondents had E. coli, a potentially illness-causing bacteria that is fecal in origin. That means1 in 6 phones were contaminated with fecal matter.
95% of the respondentsproclaimed that they wash their hands after using the bathroom, but the results seem to imply the opposite, or at least a large number of people were not being honest.
“This study provides more evidence that some people still don’t wash their hands properly, especially after going to the toilet,” says Dr. Val Curtis, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Another reason for this is because of a phenomenon called“toilet plume” — the dispersal of microscopic particles of feces, urine, or anything else in the toilet as a result of flushing. If you frequently use your phone while on the toilet you are exposing it to toilet plume. For your own sake, leave your phone out of the equation so to avoid fecal particles littering your screen.
If that’s not a motivation for a phone detox, I don’t know what is.
17,000 Bacterial Gene Copies Found of Phones
It’s a fact that our phones aredirty, but howdirty are they really?
A study by London’s Metropolitan University discovered that there are more than17,000 bacterial gene copieson the phones of high school students in Estonia.
Good news is most of the pathogens found aren’t harmful, but there were definitely a couple scary ones in the mix. Streptococcus, for example, was found on the phones and can cause sore throat or scarlet fever. Another dangerous bacteria found is Staphylococcus aureus, a germ that can cause various skin infections. Finally, E.coli was found, which can cause bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
This all sounds horrific, we know, but if you are mindful of (frequently) cleaning your hands and your screens, you’ll be able to avoid these issues.
How to Clean Your Phone the Right Way
“Your mobile device is something you want to clean regularly,” said Dr. Dubert Guerrero, an infectious disease specialist at Sanford Health in Fargo, North Dakota. To do this, he recommends wiping your phone with a moist microfiber cloth. This is enough to get rid of common bacteria. However, more dangerous pathogens may require a sterilizing agent.
There are alcohol, bleach, and sanitizing wipes that are specifically designed to clean mobile devices. If you want to take a more economically friendly route there’s a DIY solution you can make at home:
- Mix a 1:1 ratio of 70% isopropyl alcohol and distilled water and store your solution inside a spray bottle.
- Never spray your diluted alcohol solution directly to the device. Get a microfiber cloth and lightly moisten (do not over wet) with your spray and use that to wipe down your phone. Use a lint-free foam to clean the area around ports and corners.
- Finally, let your phone air dry for at least 15 minutes before putting it back in its case (if you have one.)
How to Clean Your Phone Case the Right Way
Phone and tablet cases are made to protect your device from dirt but they can get grubby over time as well.
If your device has a case, take it off because it deserves a good cleaning too.
- Silicone cases — Silicone cases can be submerged in water so wash them thoroughly in a solution of warm water and a little bit of dishwashing soap. Use a soft cloth to clean the dirt in the edges and use a lint-free foam to get the grime from the corners. Then allow for it to air dry completely before re-inserting your device.
- Hard plastic cases — For hard plastic cases, just wipe them with a diluted alcohol solution, use a lint-free foam for hard to reach corners and allow to air dry.
- Leather cases — When it comes to leather cases, make sure that you use soaps that are specifically made for leather. Pro-tip: you can treat your case with leather conditioner for longer wear.
Keeping your Phone Clean
It’s impossible to keep your phone completely germ-free but there are some things you can do to keep it clean throughout the day. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Don’t use your phone in the toilet.
- Wash your hands often. The cleaner your hands, the cleaner your phone. However, make sure you do it theright way.
- Clean your phone at least once a week and immediately wipe your phone if it comes in contact with food, make-up, ink, and anything that might cause stains.
As with any issue, being mindful and aware of its existence is a great first step. We may often overlook how many germs our phone is carrying around, or simply be unaware, but to avoid sickness and bacteria stay mindful and make sure you’re keeping your phone and your hands clean.
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Originally appeared on www.goboldfish.com