How to Clean Your Smartphone Against Coronavirus

iPhone and Case: David Švihovec Spray Bottle: Crystal de Passillé-Chabot

Never in my life have I, and probably most of you, been so conscious about what and where we touch. With the rapid spreading of the COVID-19 coronavirus, it might be a good thing to clean your smartphone and accessories with something stronger than your shirt. Here are a few tips on how to clean your smartphone without damaging it.

Different Manufacturers

I’ll be using some guidelines from Apple’s support page.

Samsung also has a guide to clean your Samsung devices and it comes down to more or less the same directions as Apple suggests.

Clean Your Smartphone

You can start to clean your smartphone by using a soft and lint-free or microfibre cloth.

Make sure your smartphone is switched off and not plugged into a power source to avoid shock and/or any other electrical damage.

Solution

Use a solution with up to 70% isopropyl alcohol but don’t spray the solution directly onto your smartphone. Rather spray it on the soft cloth and wipe your phone with it.

Don’t, and I repeat, don’t use bleach or any other harsh chemicals. If you do, you may corrode some of the chemicals on your smartphone that protects it against oil and grease from your skin, all-day scratches, etc.

After wiping it with the correct solution, use the same soft cloth and wipe it again with lukewarm water. Don’t wipe and rub excessively to prevent scratches and unwanted damage.

Even though most smartphones are water-resistant, Apple advises you to not let liquid or moisture into openings such as the speakers or plug openings. To clean those openings, use only a lukewarm soft and damp cloth and a toothpick – or something similar – to get into that small spaces.

Place the lukewarm damp cloth over the tip of the toothpick and wipe the inside of the ports and other openings.

Also, don’t submerge your smartphone in any cleaning agents.

Cases

Now that your smartphone is clean, it’s time to move to the case. Most of us have a case on our phone and the case can be a breeding ground for bacteria and other unwanted organisms.

For all cases except leather and battery cases, use the same method that you used to clean your smartphone.

For leather and battery cases, you should not use anything stronger than a mild hand wash soap and a lukewarm damp cloth. Also, make sure a battery case is not connected to any power source and switched off to avoid shock and/or electrical damage.

Be sure to get into every nook and cranny of the case, especially in the corners. If your fingers don’t allow you to get into that small spaces, use something like a toothpick or spoon and put the damp cloth over the tip of the handle. Press the tip of the handle into the small spaces you couldn’t reach by only using your fingers.

Apple Watch

Be sure to clean your Apple Watch, bands and cases as well. The silicone Nike Sport Band is especially vulnerable for harbouring unwanted bacteria and organisms inside the holes.

iPad

You guessed it. Follow the same instructions to clean your iPad or iPad Pro, as you would to clean your iPhone.

iPad Accessories

To clean accessories like your Apple pencil and keyboards, also use a damp cloth and make sure no liquid or moisture gets into any openings.

Macs (Laptop and Desktop)

To clean the outside, Apple suggests to only use a damp cloth, but in my opinion, a mild hand soap won’t do any damage. Again, don’t let any liquids or moist get into ant ports or openings.

For the screen, only use water or screen cleaning agents specifically labelled as computer screen cleaners.

Keep Washing Your Hands

It’s not enough to only clean your smartphone, accessories and cases, you should also not stop washing your hands. Every time you put down your smartphone, it can pick up unwanted bacteria etc. which can pose a threat to you.

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and cold water, to prevent the pores in your skin from opening, letting anything in before it’s washed away. Then wash your hands with warm water, just to make sure.

Closing

In this crisis, it is necessary for each of us to look after ourselves and be responsible towards everyone else. So make sure to clean your smartphone, and other stuff. Keep your hands clean and make a habit of not touching your face, especially near your nose and mouth.

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