Your mobile phone, that thing that’s probably attached to your hand most of the day, is a magnet for germs. We carry it almost everywhere we go- office, public washrooms, keep them anywhere while travelling, on desks etc. Where we use our phones and what sorts of activities we were doing prior to tapping away at their touchscreens directly affects how dirty they get. It is often said that your phone is even dirtier than a toilet seat, which indeed is true. Here are some ways for keeping your smartphone germ-free:
GET A COVER WITH FLIP OPEN FRONT
A case with a cover allows you to flip open to your phone like a book can help prevent germs from your environment come into contact with your phone. It’s a small change that might be worth it if you’ve been thinking about getting a new phone case.
WASH HANDS OFTEN
Washing your hands regularly with soap ensures your hands stay clean and germ-free throughout the day. Cleaner hands mean a cleaner phone. Lazy people often seem to avoid this or a sink might not always be present nearby; it is always best to carry a hand sanitizer around. Look for a basic hand sanitizer that contains alcohol. The alcohol will kill up to 99% of all bacteria on your hands.
DON’T WIPE YOUR PHONE WITH AN ABRASIVE CLOTH OR PAPER TOWEL
The rough fibres of paper towels and abrasive cloths can scratch the phone’s display surface, even when moistened. And not only will these scratches make your display difficult to read, they will become trenches where more bacteria can breed and hence more germs.
KEEP PHONE AWAY FROM THE DINING TABLE
While you browse your smartphone, there’s still a chance that traces of food on your hands and your food-filled saliva could be transferred to it while you eat. You’re better off putting your phone out of sight while you eat and washing your hands before you touch your phone having meals.
LIMIT THE PLACES WHERE YOU KEEP YOUR PHONE
Try not to take your smartphone to the bathroom with you. From the toilet handle to the sink knob, bathrooms are bacteria breeding grounds. Secondly, just make sure you watch out where you leave it. Placing it near the sink, a dinner table or trash can is just asking for trouble.
LIMIT HANDS TOUCHING YOUR PHONE
Don’t be too generous with handing your phone over to other people. If others reach out for your phone anyway, well, plan on washing your phone later that day or evening. You don’t know the last time they washed their hands or what they’ve touched since then.