The thought of being separated from your smartphone can give you the jitters. We carry our phone everywhere with us, to our workplaces, grocery stores, parks and movie halls. We hold our phones in our hands, keep it our pockets or in purses, where they rub against all kinds of surfaces and textures.
All of these carry bacteria which are then passed on to our phones. The thought must never have crossed your mind that your smartphone could be a frightening storehouse of deadly germs. Did you know that your phone could have more germs living on it than a toilet seat?Disgusting, but true!
Deadly germs on your smartphone
It’s a well-known fact that germs breed in warm temperatures. Cellphones enable bacteria to breed on them as they generate warmth, and are kept warm by the constant touch of our hands. Research has shown that your phone might have 18 times more germs than a handle in a public restroom.
University of Arizona microbiologists found in 2012that smartphones carry more bacteria than toilet seats. Coliform is a bacteria that is found in animal and human feces, in plants and on soil, and hold your breath – on smartphones. The presence of coliform does not bode well for you at all, as it means there are other dangerous germs lurking on your phone.
Deadly disease causing bacteria like Staphylococcus aureous and e.coli also live on your phone, according to research.
Deadly germs spread to your phone when it is touched by someone with an infection, knowingly or unknowingly, from the coins and notes in our pockets or purse which have been touched by thousands of unknown people carrying God knows what germs, are great germ hideouts, when you take your phone to the bathroom (no one admits it, but everybody does it!). It can be exposed to deadly bacteria when you keep it park benches or the supposedly clean office counters….the list is endless, but you get the gist.
Tips for keeping your smartphone germ-free
The prospect of deadly germs living on your smartphone is scary but you can take measures to keep your phone germ-free. You can follow the tips below:
- Stop taking your phone to the bathroom
According to CBS news, 75% Americans admitted checking their phone in the bathroom. If you have been doing this too, it’s time to stop. You definitely do not want fecal matter on your phone do you? That is exactly what happens when you bring your phone to the bathroom. When you wash your hands, you never wash your phone do you?
- Stop placing your phone in public places
Avoid placing your phone on countertops in public places like the coffee shop you frequent, the grocery store or on park benches.
- Use special formulas to clean
There are some special formulas available in the market specifically to clean touch screen surfaces. Use a 60 / 40 alcohol-water mixture to clean. Never use water, alcohol, ammonia or other harsh cleaning substances on the sensitive touch screen.
- Use antibacterial wipes
Swiping your phone with antibacterial wipes is an easy and effective way to clean it. Some say you can roll it around in your hand when you have just used hand sanitizer. But make sure both the products are alcohol free so as not to damage your phone.
- Use anti-microbial shells and screen protectors
You can buy ant-microbial shells and screen protectors to protect your phone. Or you can buy a case with a front cover. This will work best when you keep your hands clean too.
- Don’t share your phone freely
If you want to show your photos or videos to someone, don’t hand your phone over to them to swipe. Do it for them and avoid an extra pair of hands touching your phone and millions of germs being transferred on to your phone.
Washing your hands regularly and making it a habit to disinfect your phone will keep your phone free of deadly disease carrying bacteria. A little care will go a long way to protect you from diseases spread from your smartphone.
