Aug 21, 2025 12:00:00

How can you clean your smartphone, which carries a lot of bacteria?

Modern people carry their smartphones with them all the time, and they touch them in the kitchen, living room, public transport, and even in the bathroom. As a result, various bacteria are attached to smartphones, so Dr.

Meena Jha of the School of Engineering and Technology at Central Queensland University in Australia explained how to clean your smartphone without damaging it.

Your phone is covered in germs: a tech expert explains how to clean it without doing damage
https://theconversation.com/your-phone-is-covered-in-germs-a-tech-expert-explains-how-to-clean-it-without-doing-damage-259908

When you wipe the surface of your smartphone with a cotton swab to check for microorganisms, hundreds of types of bacteria and viruses are found. Because the screen is prone to attracting fingerprints and dirt, it's important to wipe the screen regularly for both aesthetic and hygienic reasons.

While not all bacteria and viruses present on smartphone surfaces can cause illness, there is a significant risk of transmission. People often touch their smartphones in the bathroom, bring them close to their mouths, use them while eating, or hand them over to others, so regular cleaning of smartphones is recommended due to potential health concerns.

However, even people who wash their hands many times a day may not clean their smartphones often. While some people may think that simply wiping their smartphones with a cloth soaked in household detergent or a regular disinfectant wipe is enough, using the wrong tools or methods can actually damage your smartphone.

Most smartphones have a thin, fingerprint- and smudge-resistant coating called a 'leukocyte-repellent layer.' Harsh chemicals like alcohol, acetone, and ammonia-based cleaners can strip away this coating, making the screen more susceptible to smudges and less responsive to touch.

Vinegar, a common household disinfectant, is also highly acidic and can corrode aluminum and plastic edges. Bleach and hydrogen peroxide are also effective disinfectants, but they are too harsh for the materials used in electronics like smartphones.

And because typical disinfecting wipes have a fairly high alcohol content, repeated use can dry out plastic and make it brittle, Jha said. 'So if a cleaner is strong enough to disinfect your kitchen countertop, it might not be strong enough for your phone,' he said.

Luckily, cleaning your phone is easy and inexpensive. Jha explains that major phone manufacturers have published guidelines for cleaning their phones, and all you need to do is follow them. Here's how to clean your phone:

Most tech companies recommend using a wipe containing 70% isopropyl alcohol , a soft microfiber cloth, or a soft nylon, horse, or goat hair brush to clean sensitive areas like the speaker grills and charging port. Make sure to unplug any cables and remove any protective cases or accessories before cleaning.

Apple, which had not recommended the use of disinfecting wipes for a long time, revised its guidelines in response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic to recommend using 'disinfecting wipes containing 70% isopropyl alcohol' or ' Clorox disinfecting wipes' to wipe screens.

Apple updates how to keep your iPhone clean, recommending the use of some disinfecting wipes - GIGAZINE

Samsung offers similar advice , recommending wiping your phone with a microfiber cloth lightly dampened with a 70% alcohol solution, while avoiding direct contact with ports and openings.

Jha also recommends the following to prevent accidental damage while cleaning your phone:

- Do not spray liquids directly onto the phone, as moisture may seep into ports and internal components, causing short circuits or corrosion.
・Do not immerse your smartphone in cleaning solution, even if it is a waterproof model, as this may deteriorate the sealants that prevent water from entering (rubber gaskets, adhesives, nano-coatings, silicone layers, etc.).
Avoid using paper towels, tissues, or rough cloths, as they may scratch the screen or leave lint clogging the openings.
Don't clean too much. Wiping or scrubbing the screen too hard can wear down the protective coating, making it more susceptible to fingerprints, smudges, and scratches.

Jha says that while there are no strict rules on how often you should clean your phone, a general recommendation is to wipe it down about once a week, and more frequently if you regularly take it to places with a higher risk of contamination, like public transport, hospitals, gyms, or bathrooms.