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Your smartphone is probably with you all the time. It sits beside you during meals, travels with you to work, and might even accompany you to the bathroom. While this handy device keeps you connected to the world, it also has a dark side you may not have considered. Smartphones can act as a germ magnet, harboring bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microbes.
Why Are Smartphones Full of Germs?
Think about how often you touch your phone and where your hands have been before that. If you’re like most people, washing your hands every single time before using your phone is far from a habit. This means bacteria from door handles, public transport, or even raw food can easily transfer to your device.
What’s more, smartphones often get neglected during regular cleaning routines. While we might wipe down kitchen counters or sanitize our hands, we rarely think about disinfecting our phones, even though they come in constant contact with our skin, face, and hands.
Habits that Spread Germs
Some habits inadvertently turn your smartphone into a breeding ground for germs, and yes, some might make you cringe.
Here are a few common practices to be mindful of:
Using Your Phone in the Bathroom
Many people admit to scrolling through their phones while on the toilet. This habit is a hygiene disaster. Every flush releases a cloud of microscopic bacteria that can settle on surfaces, including your smartphone. If you touch your phone during this time, those germs come with you when you leave the bathroom.
Touching Your Phone with Unwashed Hands
Frequently interacting with your phone before washing up adds another layer of grime. Throughout the day, your hands come in contact with hundreds of surfaces covered in invisible bacteria and viruses.
Sharing Phones
Handing your phone to a friend or family member might seem harmless, but it spreads germs between users, especially if either party hasn’t washed their hands.
Neglecting to Clean the Phone
Phones are one of the most overlooked items when it comes to cleaning. Their smooth, warm surfaces create the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive if left unchecked.
How to Protect Yourself?
Here are some steps to keep your phone and yourself safe:
Clean Your Smartphone Regularly
Use a soft microfiber cloth and a diluted mix of water and isopropyl alcohol or specialized phone cleaning wipes. Make it a habit to clean your phone at least once a day.
Avoid Using Phones in Bathrooms
If you can, leave your phone out of the bathroom entirely. Not only will this reduce germ exposure, but it’s also a chance to take a digital detox!
Wash Your Hands Frequently
Before and after using your smartphone, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This limits the transfer of germs to and from your device.
Stop Sharing Phones
Minimize phone-sharing whenever possible. If you need to hand your phone to someone, consider wiping it down afterward.
Use a Phone Case
A removable and washable phone case can make it easier to keep germs at bay. Clean the case regularly, along with the phone itself.
Conclusion
Your smartphone isn’t going anywhere, and neither are the germs it attracts. But by being mindful of your habits and prioritizing regular cleaning, you can significantly reduce your exposure to harmful microbes.
Taking small steps like washing your hands, avoiding the bathroom habit, and disinfecting your phone daily can go a long way in safeguarding your health. After all, the cleaner your phone, the healthier you’ll feel every time you pick it up.
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