Why is it important to disinfect your smartphone? How to clean your phone properly and what to use?

A smartphone for most people has become not just a means of communication, but essentially an extension of our body. We carry it everywhere: take it in our hands on public transport, place it on tables in cafés, use it in the bathroom and kitchen, touch it after contact with handrails, money, door handles, and keyboards. All of this turns our phone into a real breeding ground for bacteria and viruses — and yet it may look completely clean on the outside. Therefore, regular smartphone disinfection is not just a hygiene habit, but a basic health protection measure. But what should you disinfect it with? Let’s try to figure it out in more detail.

SMARTPHONE AS A SOURCE OF INFECTION

Research conducted in different countries shows alarming statistics: the surface of a smartphone can contain 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. According to a study published in the journal Germs, a single smartphone may contain up to 17,000 bacteria per square centimeter. Among the microorganisms found were staphylococci, Escherichia coli, streptococci, as well as viruses, including seasonal ARVI and flu.

Smartphones are especially dangerous in medical environments, schools, public transport, and other places with high circulation of people. However, even in everyday home use, they can become carriers of pathogens between family members.

It is important to understand: we put the smartphone to our face, touch it with our fingers, then eat, touch our face, children, and personal belongings. Viruses and bacteria can remain on glass and plastic for several hours to several days, depending on temperature, humidity, and pathogen type. COVID-19, for example, can survive on plastic for up to 72 hours.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU DISINFECT YOUR PHONE?

The optimal frequency is daily. Especially if you’ve been to public places or touched potentially contaminated surfaces. At the same time, it’s important to distinguish between two approaches: regular cleaning from grease and dirt and disinfection — that is, removing or destroying pathogenic microflora.

After returning from outside, before eating, after visiting public places or the bathroom — these are the times when your smartphone should be disinfected first and foremost.

WHAT AND HOW TO USE TO PROPERLY DISINFECT A SMARTPHONE?

It is important to act correctly: improper disinfection can damage the device. It is necessary to follow the recommendations of device manufacturers and sanitation guidelines. In particular, before starting the procedure, you should:

• wash your hands with soap;

• turn off the smartphone and unplug it from the charger and all cables;

• remove the case — it should also be treated separately.

The following means are suitable for disinfection:

• Isopropyl alcohol (70% and above) — considered the most effective and safe for electronics. You can use special antiseptics, such as Manorm Expert. They are not applied directly to the device — before cleaning the phone screen, apply the product to a soft lint-free cloth (e.g., microfiber).
• Wipes containing alcohol (from 55%), including specialized disinfectant wipes for screens, such as Nor-Express or Manorm disinfectant wipes. This is one of the best options for wiping the phone screen, as wipes are always easy to keep on hand.

Cleaning can also be done using a UV sterilizer. But not everyone has such a device at home.

At the same time, you need to remember what should not be used to wipe the phone screen. In particular, avoid:

• household cleaning products (Domestos, Comet, bleach);

• acetone, ammonia, chlorine-based agents;

• abrasive fabrics, paper towels;

• excessive moisture or allowing liquid to get into ports.

But how to disinfect the phone? The procedure takes just 1–2 minutes:

• Moisten the cloth with the alcohol solution.

• Gently wipe the screen, back panel, and side edges.

• Treat the case separately with the same product.

• Let the device dry — alcohol evaporates quickly.

• Do not turn the phone on until the surface is completely dry.

If you are using a UV sterilizer, follow the manufacturer's instructions — typically, one cycle takes 5 to 10 minutes.

HOW DOES DISINFECTION AFFECT HEALTH?

Regular disinfection of a smartphone reduces the risk of contact infection. This is especially important during flu seasons, epidemics, or pandemics. People tend to overestimate the role of handwashing and underestimate the importance of cleanliness of the objects they touch regularly. The phone is one of the most "intimate" gadgets, and it directly contacts the face and hands — the main pathways for infection entry.

In addition, disinfection positively affects skin condition. Among teenagers and adults suffering from acne, one of the frequent causes of inflammation is a dirty smartphone screen. A clean device is prevention not only of infections but also of dermatological problems.

Disinfect your smartphone — take care not only of its cleanliness, but also of your health.