Whether it’s to answer a phone call, check social media or read the latest news, it’s no doubt that you use your phone regularly throughout the day. But have you ever thought about cleaning it? Amid the current coronavirus pandemic, experts have recommended that you wash your phone as well as your hands, as bacteria and germs can survive on some surfaces for a numerous amount of days. If you are constantly picking up your phone, it’s important to keep it clean to stop any unwanted germs from transferring to your skin.

The good news is that cleaning your smartphone is easier than ever – as long as you use the correct tools. Many of the standard cleaning products you might use to clean other household surfaces, may actually cause damage to your phone. To make sure you clean your smartphone safely and correctly, we have outlined the best methods in this article. From screen cleaning kits to what you should avoid using, here are our top tips to clean your smartphone the right way.

What not to use when cleaning your phone:

Fibre cloths will not damage your phone’s screen, but household products such as bleach, paper towels and window cleaners, will cause damage and should be avoided completely when cleaning your device. Here are 7 things you should avoid when cleaning your phone:

• Alcohol-based cleaners (including alcohol-based disinfected wipes)
• Paper towels or paper-based wipes (including things like kitchen towel)
• Kitchen cleaners
• Window cleaners
• Compressed air (as ports can become damaged)
• Bleach
• Avoid moisture getting into any openings or ports

How to clean your phone

Firstly, it’s important to check your phone manufacturers website to see if there are any specific guidelines you should follow to avoid causing damage to your device. However, while devices may differ, there are a few simple cleaning methods which you can carry out to make sure you clean your phone safely and efficiently.

How often should you clean your phone?

You might be horrified to know that according to research, the average mobile phone is almost seven times dirtier than a toilet seat and so it’s ever more important to make sure you wipe down your device. But perhaps you’re wondering how often you should clean it? Health experts have suggested that it is a good idea to clean your phone on a regular basis and that you should possibly even consider wiping it down as often as you wash your hands.   

“You could be washing your hands, but if you start touching your smartphone screen and then touch your face that is a potential route of infection,” warned William Keevil, a professor of environmental healthcare at the University of Southampton.

If you are looking for the best products to safely clean your device, head over to MyMemory now for the best screen cleaning products.