Perfect Cleaning of the Phone during Coronavirus Outbreak

In this article you will become familiar with these points;

• Brief introduction of Coronavirus?
• How your phone can be contaminated with Coronavirus?
• How to clean your phone?
• Which agents are used for cleaning?
• What is the frequency of cleaning?
• Which agents cannot be used for cleaning?
• How to clean the case of the phone?

Introduction of Coronavirus:

Coronavirus spreads similarly to colds and the flu. The virus attacks the respiratory system, and cause lung lesions. Symptoms are runny nose, headache, cough, and fever, shortness of breath, chills, and body aches. It is contagious and spreads through contact with anyone infected or surface contaminated by it. If the virus infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract, it can cause pneumonia, especially in older people, heart disease patients, or people with weakened immune systems. The infection becomes dangerous and ultimately leads to death.

Contamination of the phone with Coronavirus:

Your phone exposes to so much bacteria, germs, dirt, and much other bad stuff, including viruses in these crazy times. The presence of E-Coli, Streptococcus, and MRSA on phones leads to a dirty phone. It is 18x dirtier than your toilet. Your phone can become contaminated with Coronavirus by following ways;

• Your device would become contaminated with the virus if an infected individual sneeze or cough near it.
• Your phone can become contaminated if you place your device on the surface, which was contaminated with Coronavirus.
• Your phone can also become contaminated if you give your phone to someone to use, and he is infected.

Agents used for cleaning:

• Alcohol-based (70% isopropyl alcohol) disinfectant
• Soap and water
• PhoneSoap

According to Patrick Van Negri, you can make your solution by adding half of 70% isopropyl alcohol and half distilled water. Then spray it on your phone and wipe it with a microfiber cloth.

You can check details about PhoneSoap and other surfaces cleaning methods here patrickvannegri.com

Agents which are not suitable for cleaning:

Cleaning your phone is important to stop the spread of Coronavirus. Some materials can damage your phone. Never use these agents; Avoid these damaging materials!

• Cleaners used for window cleaning like Windex.
• Cleaners used for kitchen cleaning like Lysol.
• Paper towels can leave debris on your phone and even scratch your phone’s surface.
• Compressed air can damage ports, specifically the microphone.
• Disinfectant wipes as alcohol level may be too strong can damage your phone.

Frequency of cleaning:

Never forget to clean your phone if you have been near anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Clean your phone regularly, not necessary to clean each time you touch it. If you keep your hand clean, you need to clean the phone once or twice a day. If you mistakenly put your phone on a potentially contaminated surface, you should clean the phone as well as your hand.

An effective way of cleaning:

Following points can make cleaning effectively;

• Don’t use any abrasive material; only use a soft, lint-free cloth.
• Wiping should be gentle and must not be excessive.
• While cleaning unplugs all power sources, devices, and cables.
• Protect your device from a liquid by keeping liquids away from it.
• Make sure the openings of the device remained safe from moisture entry.
• Don’t use aerosol sprays, bleaches, and abrasives.
• Don’t directly spray cleaners onto your device.

An effective way of cleaning your phone:

For the cleaning purpose of your phone, you can’t use household cleaners. Most household cleaners contain ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or sodium hypochlorite. Isopropyl alcohol is dangerous for your phone. Some agents can damage the oleophobic coating on your phone. The oleophobic coating allows you to slide your finger on the screen without leaving fingerprints.

You should avoid disinfectant entry into the openings of your phone, even if it is waterproof. Take a cotton pad and just wet it with disinfectant and wipe the sides of your phone. Wipe carefully, don’t press hard. Most of manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung have provided instructions to keep your device clean during coronavirus.

How to clean your iPhone?

Apple recently updated its guidelines to use a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes for cleaning iPhones and iPads.

Guidelines are;

1. Gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces.
2. Avoid getting moisture in any opening of the device.
3. Don’t use bleach.
4. Don’t use on fabric or leather surfaces.
5. The use of aerosol sprays, ammonia, window cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, compressed air, and abrasives is not safe.
6. You can also use alcohol wipes or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes instead of making your diluted isopropyl alcohol solution.

How to clean your Samsung phone?

According to Samsung, it’s safe to wipe your phone gently by cloth dampen in disinfectant or alcohol-based solutions. But, it’s not safe to apply the liquid directly onto the phone.

In some countries, Samsung is offering a free Galaxy Sanitizing Service using UV light.

Specifications of Galaxy Sanitizing Service are;

1. Its free service through the official Samsung Service Center and Samsung Experience Stores in selected countries and the service is expanding.
2. It simply sanitizes the phone with UV-C light.
3. No harsh cleaning chemicals used.
4. You can sanitize your Galaxy phones, the Galaxy Watch, and the Galaxy buds.

Cleaning of the case of the phone:

There are other surfaces, items, gadgets you touch and use frequently. Have you ever sanitized or even just cleaned your computer mouse, keyboard, doorknobs, toilet seats, TV remote, light switches, and chairs?

The cleaning of the case is necessary because it will be harmful to put the phone back into the dirty case.

Case type and method used:

• Plastic case: Bleach and other household cleaners can be used. Sock the phone into bleach or cleanser, then rinse it and dry it at last.
• Rubber and silicone cases: Wet the cloth with a solution of dish soap in water. Then wipe the phone and dry it.
• Wood cases: Wet the cloth with a solution of two parts water to one-part vinegar. Then wipe the phone and dry it.
• Leather cases: Wet the cloth with a solution of mild hand soap and water. Then dry with another cloth. You can also apply a leather conditioner to the case. After completely drying the case you put it back on the phone.