How to Disinfect Your Phone

Use soap and water for basic disinfection

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Turn off the phone and unplug the power cord. Press and hold the power button on the side of the phone until the phone says it's turned off. Wait for the phone to turn off completely before cleaning to avoid damaging the internal components. If the charger is plugged in, unplug it while cleaning to avoid electric shock.

Do not disinfect your phone while it is on because you may cause a short circuit.

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Remove the phone case. Since bacteria can live inside the phone case, remove it while cleaning. If your phone case has multiple pieces, separate them so each part can be cleaned. Keep the phone and case away from each other to avoid re-infecting them.

Be careful when removing the phone case because it is easily damaged.

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Mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid and warm water in a bowl. Fill the bowl with warm water. Add 1-2 drops of dishwashing liquid and stir well until the solution is mixed and foamy.

Choose antibacterial soap if available, as it will kill germs more effectively.

Other option: You can use hand soap if you don't have dish soap.

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Soak a soft towel in the solution and wring it out. Dip a fluffy towel into soapy water quickly and lift it up before the towel is saturated with water. Use your hands to wring the towel vigorously to remove excess water so as not to soak the phone in water.

Avoid using paper towels or dish sponges to clean otherwise the screen will be scratched.

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Scrub all phone surfaces with a towel to remove germs. Start from the screen and wipe the entire phone in a circular motion. Be careful when cleaning the microphone, wire ports and buttons because water can stagnate inside and damage components. Once you've finished cleaning the front, turn the phone over and clean the back.

If your phone is waterproof, it's okay to have a little water near the slots or buttons because then the phone is less likely to be damaged.

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Use a clean towel to wipe off any moisture on the phone. Place the phone on a dry, fluffy towel and blot all over the phone's surface. Make sure to dry off any remaining water on your phone so it doesn't get damaged.

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Clean rubber or leather phone cases with soapy water. Dip the fluffy towel in soapy water and wring it out again. Wipe the inside and outside of the phone case to remove any dirt or dust stuck in it. Focus on corners or small crevices because bacteria can reside there.

Avoid immersing the phone case in the solution so as not to damage its material.

If you have a leather phone case, use a leather conditioner to keep it soft.

Kill pathogens with alcohol

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Turn off and unplug the phone. You need to unplug the phone to avoid electric shock when cleaning. Press the power button on the side of the phone and hold it until you see a notification appear on the screen. Wait for the phone to turn off completely before cleaning.

If you wipe your phone while it is still on, the circuits in it may be shorted.

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Remove the phone case and set it aside. Pry the edges of the phone case to remove. Pull the phone out of the case and set it aside while cleaning. If your phone case comes in multiple pieces, separate them so you can clean them thoroughly.

Place the phone case away so you don't accidentally contaminate it again while cleaning.

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Pour alcohol and warm water into the bowl in equal proportions. Choose alcohol with a minimum concentration of 60-70% to effectively kill most pathogens. Pour alcohol and warm water into the bowl, then stir well until the solution becomes homogeneous.

You can buy alcohol at pharmacies.

Warning: Over time, alcohol can remove the fingerprint and water-resistant protective layer on the phone screen, so limit the frequency of using alcohol when cleaning.

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Moisten a fluffy towel with cleaning solution. Choose a lint-free cloth to prevent your phone screen from getting scratched. Wet a fluffy towel in the alcohol solution and wring out excess water. Make sure the towel is not soaked so your phone doesn't get damaged.

Don't use paper towels or dish sponges because they can scratch your phone.

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Wipe the phone surface from bottom to top with a cloth. Wipe all over the front of the phone in a circular motion and press gently. Work slowly around the ports, buttons, and speakers to avoid letting the solution seep in and damage the components. Flip the phone over and wipe the back in the same way.

Wash your hands before wiping your phone so you don't dirty it immediately afterward.

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Use tissues if you need to disinfect your phone when you go out. You should choose one specifically designed for cleaning electronic devices because they are less likely to damage the phone. Focus on areas with tight edges or small grooves where bacteria can accumulate. Do not use paper towels to clean inside the slots as you may damage the device.

You can buy electronic device cleaning wipes at electronics stores, and they will usually kill about 99% of bacteria and viruses on your phone.

Bring tissues with you every time you go out so you can disinfect your phone on the go.

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Jonathan Tavarez

Cleaning Expert & Founder, Pro Housekeepers

Jonathan Tavarez is the founder of Pro Housekeepers, a high-quality cleaning service for residential and commercial clients nationwide. Pro Housekeepers uses select staff and rigorous training methods to ensure high standards.

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Jonathan Tavarez
Cleaning Expert & Founder, Pro Housekeepers

Experts say: Alcohol-based wipes can disinfect phone screens and cases, but avoid using solutions such as vodka, vinegar or ammonia because they are not recognized by WHO as effective disinfectant solutions. Regular UV lights will also not disinfect surfaces.

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Pat your phone dry with another fluffy towel. Spread a towel on the table and place the phone in the middle. Gently use a towel to absorb the phone so that no water remains. Make sure the phone is completely dry to avoid damage.

You don't need to dry your phone if you use a paper towel.

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Disinfect phone cases made from wood or plastic with alcohol solution. Dip the cleaning cloth in the solution and wring it out. Wipe the inside and outside of the phone case, making sure to disinfect each piece. Pay attention to the edges or small grooves on the phone case because bacteria can accumulate there.

Avoid using alcohol to clean leather cases because alcohol can dry out the leather.

If you have trouble cleaning small grooves, try using a toothbrush with stiff bristles.

Use a UV disinfection lamp

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Buy UV disinfection lamps online or at electronics stores. Look for a model that's large enough to cover the entire phone, otherwise this method won't work. Compare features and reviews for each option so you can find a light that's affordable.

The phone disinfection UV light is a small box with a UV light with the ability to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses on the phone.

You can buy this device for about 2 million VND, and more efficient lights also cost more.

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Place the phone inside the disinfection lamp and close the lid. Open the lid of the sanitizer and place the phone face down on the base. Make sure the phone is not hanging off the edge of the device, or you won't be able to close the lid. Slowly close the lid to turn on the UV light and disinfect the phone.

You can leave the phone case on or remove it. UV rays will also kill any pathogens on the phone case.

Read the instructions carefully because you may have to do a few extra steps when cleaning your phone.

Tip: Many UV sanitizers also have a cord port so you can plug in your phone while you clean it.

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Leave your phone in the sanitizer for 5 to 10 minutes. Look for the indicator light on the outside of the device's case to see if it is working. Leave the phone in there and close the lid for effective disinfection. After about 5 to 10 minutes, the indicator light will turn off to let you know it's time to put your phone away.

The UV light will turn off automatically if you open the cover at any time during the phone disinfection process.

If you put your phone away too soon, germs may still remain on the surface.

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Wash your hands before removing your phone from the sanitizer. Use warm water and soap to wash your hands for 15 to 20 seconds. Rinse off the soap and dry your hands before opening the lid of the UV sanitizer. Take out your phone and use it normally.

Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

If you don't disinfect your hands first, the phone can become contaminated immediately when you pick it up to take it out.

Keep your phone away from germs

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Wash your hands regularly to keep germs from spreading to your phone. Always use warm water and soap when washing your hands to kill viruses and bacteria. Rub soap on your hands for about 20 seconds, making sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Rinse the soap off with warm water and then use a dry towel to dry your hands.

Be sure to wash your hands before touching food, eating, caring for a wound, or caring for someone who is sick. Also, wash your hands after using the restroom, blowing your nose, or handling trash.

Warning: Avoid sneezing into your palms because you can spread germs and bacteria.

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Use hand sanitizer if you don't have soap and water. Look for hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to effectively kill bacteria and viruses. Use a dime-sized amount of solution in the palm of your hand and rub your hands together, making sure to scrub between your fingers and under your nails as well. Brush until the solution is completely absorbed into the skin.

Dry hand sanitizer may not kill all pathogens on the hands.

If possible, wash your hands as this will disinfect more effectively.

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Use headphones to avoid placing the phone in your ear. Choose headphones with a built-in microphone so you can still answer the phone. Keep your phone in your pocket or on the table so you don't have to touch it often. When you need to answer the phone, plug in headphones so you don't have to hold the phone screen close to your face.

If you don't have headphones, keep your phone away from your mouth and use speakerphone to minimize the possibility of spreading germs.

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Avoid bringing your phone into the bathroom if possible. Leave your phone in another room every time you go to the bathroom. If you need to carry your phone, keep it in your pocket or backpack. Don't touch your phone until you're done and wash your hands.

Jessica Tanner

Update 30 October 2023