Clean T.O: Cleaning Your Cell Phone

We are living in the age of cellphones, but not necessarily the age of clean. Wherever we are, our cell phones are there to capture the moment. However, the luxury of having a phone actually comes at a cost to our skin health. Did you know that our phones have 18 times more bacteria on them than toilet handles?! Gross!

The bacteria in question is called staphylococcus, streptococcus, and corynebacterium. In fact, our body actually produces this stuff naturally. That means these bacteria are okay in moderation. However, whenever your phone makes contact with your skin, trillions of these bacteria are added to the mix- an overwhelming the normal amount and dramatically raising the potential for acne. To find out the other ways that your phone may be harming your skin, check out this article.

We know that having clean hands is the key to staying healthy, but what does that mean for our cellular sidekick? Ideally, to stay clean and healthy, you should regularly be washing the skin on your hands and your face. But you can’t live your life washing your hands and face every 5 minutes! Instead, learn to clean your phone a few times a week! Don’t know how? We’ll help you!

Clean Vs. Germ Free

Before we begin, let’s acknowledge the difference between a clean phone and a germ free phone. Using solutions like water and white vinegar will definitely take the oils and smudges off your device. However, the germs might still get to your skin. If you really want to get those germs gone, you should also wipe your device down with a solution that contains alcohol. As a result, you have three options: an alcohol pad, antibacterial wipe or a homemade isopropyl solution.

However, don’t be too generous with the alcohol as too much alcohol or ammonia has the potential to strip your phone of important oil-resistant technology embedded in your screen. Ready to get started? Your phone and your skin are about to thank you!

First Steps to Clean

First and foremost, your phone is electronic. So before you begin, make sure it is not plugged in to a power source. Additionally, you should seal off any openings on your phone with tape to avoid any accidental seepage. Next, turn your monitor off. It’s easier to see which spots are dirty that way.

What You Need to Clean

Microfiber cloths are the go-to when cleaning any electronic device. Yes, this is the same type of cloth used to clean eyeglasses and lenses. These cloths are so popular because they are terrific at removing oils, fingerprints and smudges! Plus, they’re super soft on your skin.

However, if you don’t own microfiber, 100% cotton cloths will also work! On the other hand, if you’re trying to be green and thrifty, you could even cut up a 100% cotton shirt or even use coffee filters to clean! Remember to never use paper towel, toilet paper or tissues because they could potentially scratch your phone screen.

Homemade Cleaning Solutions

To really get your screen clean, you have two options. Both white vinegar and isopropyl alcohol will work well with water. However, you should note that when cleaning a device, it is best to use distilled water versus tap water. This is because the minerals and deposits from tap water can leave white spots and deposits on your phone.

If you’re using white vinegar or isopropyl, mix half a cup of either with half a cup of distilled water. So ½ cup white vinegar (or isopropyl) + ½ of distilled water. Watch this informative video about how to make your own homemade isopropyl solution!

First Steps to Clean

Now that you have all the knowledge and materials, it’s time to begin! Start by dabbing the corner of your cloth in your homemade solution. Be sure to never spray the solution directly on the phone- always use the cloth as a medium.

At this point, you can start wiping your screen in small, circular motions with the cloth until you have covered the surface. Repeat this until you’re satisfied. Keep in mind, LCD screens are delicate, so be mindful not to press too hard while you’re cleaning. You don’t want to burn out your pixels! However, touch screens are actually more durable because they were built to be pressed and touched. Be that as it may, you still shouldn’t be too aggressive. If you think you have a dead pixel, check out this article for suggestions on how to fix it!

Still Not Clean Enough?

Smudges and bacteria are one thing, but what about crumbs, sand and dust? Ultimately, our phones are exposed to it all, so you need to get in there! The good news is, there’s a simple solution- cotton swabs! The swabs will help you reach those places you taped up- like the charging port, speakers and headphone jack. Additionally, the swab is perfect for cleaning out the dusty corners, or skin of your phone case! There’s no method: just take the swab and brush it over the dirty nooks!

However, some people don’t like this method preferring to use putty instead. When you gently push putty in the crevices of you phone, the material will press against the dirt and pull it out! Investing in the product Cyber Clean may save you from picking out cotton hairs from your device. Alternatively, you can try using dollar-store putties.

By now, your phone should be gleaming with cleanliness! However, the challenge will be to keep it that way. Make sure that whatever solution you used for the cleaning is accessible. This will increase the odds that you’ll keep cleaning your phone and giving it the attention it deserves! Plus, you’re skin will never look better.

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