People all around the world are now making more of an effort to wash their hands and clean surfaces in their homes. Whether it is stocking up on cleaning products, wiping down every door knob and crevice in their homes, or avoiding touching their faces or being in contact with others, people are suddenly tapping into their hygienic sides to prevent contracting or spreading this deadly virus. 

All this cleaning of surfaces and hands is admirable, but one of the most overlooked sources of germs is being ignored. Phones and other electronic devices are among the filthiest objects, and we are constantly touching them. 

Phones have thousands of germs. To be exact, “25,127 bacteria per square inch,” according to statefoodsafety.com. We are constantly on our phones whether it is to go on Google Classroom to complete an assignment or communicate with friends and family. According to The Guardian, the average human spends three hours and 15 minutes on his or her cellphone. But now, screen time has dramatically increased all over the world due to social distancing and lockdowns, where the people are only allowed to leave their homes for essentials. The Washington Post says screen time reports are “through the roof.”

So how can we properly disinfect our device to stay sanitary? 

“Don’t use spray cleaners or heavy duty products because any type of moisture can interfere with the phone’s function,” says the New York Times. “Don’t use bleach, aerosol sprays, or dunk your phone in any sort of liquid, anti-bacterial, or otherwise.”

Personally, I use Lysol Disinfecting Wipes to clean my phone and phone case. A gentle wipe will do as this ensures no large droplets of moisture and chemicals to get into the crevice of my phone, as my phone has to work at the end of day. 

“I use a screen cleaner spray and a cloth to clean my phone and my laptop screen,” said Ella Herman (’20).

“I clean my phone with a Kleenex wipe, especially more often now because of the virus,” said Kasiani Mantziaris (’20). “We carry our phones everywhere and every day and [a phone] gets dirty easily.”

The New York Times says “a product that has 70 percent isopropyl alcohol will do just fine” and “Apple recommends Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, and the C.D.C says household disinfectants registered by the Environmental Protection Agency are effective. Wear disposable gloves to clean, the C.D.C. recommends, and wash your hands thoroughly after you’re done. Like your phone, reusable gloves might harbor virus particles, rendering them effectively useless. And don’t forget your phone case. Wipe it down, in and out, through and through.”

The same goes for other electronic devices that you often use—iPads, computers, etc.

Phones are gross and, just like any other surface, are a source of germs. By getting in the habit of wiping down our phones, we may be able to prevent or slow down this virus and flatten the curve.