One of the dirtiest item with interact with all day is our cell phones. A clean cell phone begins with clean hands. As Americans, we check our cell phones more than 47 times per day (1). People today take their cell phones with them that normally they are not washing their hands before. This only increasing the amount of bacteria/germs accumulating on the phone surface. When using cell phones, the phone comes into close contact with the mouth, ears, and nose. This allows for the spread and growth of the bacteria. The potential pathogens can colonize and grow on the skin (2).
By washing your hands before and after phone use, you can reduce the amount of pathogens on your phone. Also, do not bring your phone into the bathroom or leave it on public surfaces.
To give your phone a deep clean, you can use these household items:
- bottled water
- 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol
- a mini spray bottle
- a microfiber or lint free cloth
Instructions:
1. Fill the mini spray bottle half way with water
2. Fill to the top of the bottle with rubbing alcohol
3. Shake the bottle to mix the solution together.
4. Spray on the microfiber cloth, gently rub on the surface of the phone to disinfect
5. Repeat monthly, increase frequency if sick.
1. Abrams A. Your Cell Phone Is 10 Times Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat. Time. https://time.com/4908654/cell-phone-bacteria/. Published 2020. Accessed March 9, 2020.
2. Morubagal RR, Shivappa SG, Mahale RP, Neelambike SM. Study of bacterial flora associated with mobile phones of healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers. Iran J Microbiol. 2017;9(3):143–151.
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