Look out, your smartphone is a factory of germs!

As COVID-19 stays around, so does everyone at home. For the past four months, we’ve been experiencing a staycation vibe, doing all the fun stuff with our families from making Dalgona coffee to joining the Tiktok craze. Now that there is nothing much left to do, gadgets become our daily companion slash the only lifeline we have to the outside world, to chat with our friends and (of course) to connect with delivery drivers for our gazillions of ordered goods. 

Feeling emotional yet? 

On a serious note, studies found that smartphones and other commonly-used electronics can accumulate more bacteria than a toilet seat. Eww, right? That is mainly because people are more likely to clean their toilets than their phones. Little do they know that aside from staphylococcus and E. Coli, coronavirus is also said to thrive on surfaces including your smartphone’s screen and same goes for your iPads, laptops, desktops etc.    

So, to make sure that everyone at home is safe from the harmful side of these gadgets, keep them sanitised before and after you even touch them. 

Now, you might be a little concerned about the odds that cleaning products might damage your phones in some way. Well, they might. But, only if you wipe those filthy screens obsessively. With manufacturers’ blessing, here are some basic instructions on how to clean your gadgets the right way. 

Step 1. Wash your hands, not your phones. 

There is no point of cleaning your gadgets with those dirty hands. First things first, wash your hands with antibacterial soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. Make sure your hands are dry before attempting to clean your devices.   

Step 2. Unplug all the cabs. 

Most importantly, never ever sanitise any electronic device that is currently plugged in. For safety measures, unplug all the cables including chargers, USB, earphones and other external devices. In some instances, batteries are also removed.  

Step 3. Choose the right cleaning agents.

You cannot just clean your gadgets with anything available in your kitchen cupboards. Electronic devices can be very sensitive to harsh products such as bleach and chlorine. Instead, Apple suggests using any Isopropyl Alcohol with a 70% solution or disinfectant wipes on the exterior surfaces of your devices. Since not all devices can handle the same cleaners, it is smart to visit your manufacturer’s website before you start the cleaning process.   

Step 4. Use a microfibre cloth.

If you are going to use alcohol, damp a slight amount to a microfibre or any soft-dry cloth. Do not use abrasive materials like tissue papers or paper towels as they can leave scratches on your device exteriors, especially on glass screens. If you want to ensure the screen’s safety, consider using a screen protector before applying any disinfectant. 

Step 5. Keep openings from moisture.

Whether you use disinfectant wipes or microfibre cloths with alcohol, gently wipe the device exteriors and keep the opening holes free from moisture. Some people spray directly on device exteriors without realising that moisture could damage them once the liquid drips into the sensitive openings such as earphones, USB ports, HDMI, etc.   

Step 6. Let dry. 

After giving your devices some much-needed sanitising, allow the moisturised surface to dry. Do not plug any cables or switch the device on until there is no amount of moisture left on the surface. Finally, wash your hands to remove the bacteria that you might have acquired from cleaning your phone. Do not forget to scrub with alcohol after washing your hands for your utmost safety and sanitary.