Clean Your Phone To Help Protect Yourself From Coronavirus – Here's How

Coronavirus is a disease that can spread by touching surfaces where it sits. One of the ways people get the disease is when they touch an infected surface with their hands then touch their eyes, nose and mouth afterward. That is a sure way to contract the virus.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises the public to “clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.” Doing this often will help prevent the spread of the virus.

One of the things that people frequently touch –and hold– is a device commonly known as the smartphone. Everyone who owns a smartphone is likely to touch it regardless if their hands are clean or not. And most of the time, people really aren't mindful if their phones are clean or not. Research has found that at least 88% of people use their handsets in the bathroom.

That number simply means that users should take the time to clean their device. The electronic nature of these devices require a different way to clean and disinfect them. Spraying alcohol on them directly or, worse, washing them in running water will clean them alright, but they might malfunction and stop working altogether.

Here's how to clean a smartphone and prevent the spread of coronavirus through it, courtesy of the folks at Tom's Guide.

For newer, water-resistant smartphones

Smartphones that offer adequate water-resistance can be cleaned by doing the following:

• First, turn the phone off and remove any attachments or case attached to it.
• Second, make a solution using warm wa​ter and mild soap. Slightly wet a soft cloth with it, then use the cloth to wipe the phone, carefully avoiding ports and openings.
• Third, use cotton swabs or buds to clean camera lenses, ports and openings.
• Fourth, users can dislodge stubborn dirt by blowing them away using their mouth.
• Lastly, let the phone dry completely before returning the case and turning it on.

For older phones

Smartphones (and dumb phones) that do not offer water-resistance should never be cleaned using wet cloth. Users should clean them using soft, dry cloth.

Disinfect it

Users can also disinfect their phones using alcohol. This can be done using the same steps as above, but using a solution made up of two parts water and one part alcohol (from a bottle of 91% alcohol) instead of the soap-water solution.

Lastly, those who want to thoroughly disinfect their phones but don't want to or cannot use liquids can use a third-party UV sanitizer such as this one from PhoneSoap.