Staying Fit
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If the pandemic taught us anything about healthy living, it’s the importance of keeping our hands clean.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says clean hands can prevent 1 in 3 gastrointestinal illnesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu. And just as wiping down door handles and countertops is critical — they’re some of the worse culprits for germs — the same goes for high-touch surfaces on your devices: computer mice, e-readers, laptop or stand-alone computer keyboards, smartphones, tablets and TV remotes.
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U.S. adults checked their phones about 350 times a day on average in 2022 and about 150 times a day this year, according to three surveys. Dynata, a market research firm in Plano, Texas, polled almost 2,000 adults in March 2022 for tech repair and insurance company Asurion, based in Nashville, Tennessee. Reviews.org, a private-company website based in Salt Lake City, surveyed 1,000 adults twice, in early 2022 and 2023, and saw similar usage last year and a sharp drop-off this year. But even with the lower number, you or a family member are likely touching a phone nearly 10 times every waking hour. That’s a lot of surface contact.
That’s why cleaning your phone and other high-contact technology daily is important. The key is to not damage what’s probably the most expensive device you carry with you as you’re removing its grime and hidden germs.
Video: How to Clean Your Phone
Step-by-step instructions
1. Turn off your device and make sure it’s not plugged into the wall. This way, you avoid a potential short circuit, see the surface you’re cleaning better, and don’t accidentally call or text someone. If you use a case, remove it and give it a thorough cleaning too.
2. Gently wipe down the screen with a lint-free microfiber cloth, such as the lens cloth you use for your eyeglasses or sunglasses. Avoid using a tissue or paper towel, because both can leave a residue on the screen or scratch a screen’s protective coating.
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