The short answer is YES! Think of your phone as your third hand. Just like your other hands, it can pick up bacteria, viruses and fungi from constant touching. A 2019 study found that the average person touches their phone 2,617 times a day! So for the sake of your health, it’s important to clean your phone frequently.
How frequently? If you’ve been near someone who’s coughing or sneezing, or if you’ve set your phone down on a potentially contaminated surface, clean your phone immediately. However, if you’re diligent about washing your hands regularly and you never let anyone else touch your phone, it’s probably enough to clean your phone once or twice a day.
Before cleaning your phone, check the phone brand’s website to see if there are any special instructions for your specific model. In general, here’s what to do:
- Unplug it from all power sources.
- Use 70% isopropyl alcohol or Clorox disinfecting wipes on hard surfaces (but not on leather or fabric cases).
- Don’t rub hard.
- Don’t use liquids, sprays, bleaches, or abrasives.
- Don’t let moisture get into any openings.
Medical experts suggest that unless you share a home with someone who currently has a contagious disease, it’s unlikely that your phone will have any live viruses on it. But just in case, clean your phone at least once a day!
