How to Sanitize a Mobile Phone

(Modern Survival.org) – Most people touch their mobile phones more often than any other item each day. The problem is that as they go about their day, all of that interaction tends to leave traces of the environment behind on their devices. From germs to fecal matter, the lingering contaminants on touchscreens could be quite disturbing to think about, not to mention potentially hazardous to one’s health.

With all of the illnesses lurking in the wild, regularly disinfecting mobile devices is a good idea. Considering how delicate cell phones can be, what is the best way to go about cleaning them?

Preventative Measures

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), taking the following precautions can lower the risk of contamination to cell phones when away from home:

Leave the phone put away when out in public.
Bring handwritten lists when shopping to avoid using list apps on your phone.
Don’t use payment apps on the phone; instead, pay with cash or credit card when shopping.
Don’t touch the phone until after handwashing when out in public.
When taking a call, use headphones or the speaker option to keep the phone away from the face.
Do not use the phone while in the bathroom, especially in a public restroom. While you may practice good hygiene habits, that doesn’t mean the previous occupants did.

Sanitization Process

Before attempting to clean a cellular device, it’s a good idea to check with the manufacturer first. Often, they will have detailed instructions outlining how to safely sanitize the phone without risking damage.

To begin sanitizing a cellular device, ensure it’s unplugged from the charger. Using a lint-free cloth that has been dampened with soap and water, wipe down the device.

Be careful to keep moisture away from any openings on the device, such as the charger port, camera, and headphone jack. Getting any liquid inside through these openings could damage the electronics, leaving an expensive paperweight where there once was a smartphone.

It is safe to wipe down the device with most disinfectant wipes; however, some of these cleaning products contain chemicals such as bleach and alcohol, which could damage the screen with prolonged use. Other options, such as liquids, sprays, and aerosols, should be avoided, as they could inadvertently get inside the device.

Survival is all about staying alive and healthy, even in the absence of a pandemic or life-threatening disaster. Proper hygiene and cleanliness are important to keeping illness at bay.

To see how to make your own hand sanitizer in the event it flies off the shelves again, check out our article here.

~Here’s to Your Survival!