60% of people NEVER disinfect their smart phones

Alright smartphone users, this is some disturbing news.

Earlier this month ZDNet took a poll on Twitter asking how often people disinfect their smartphones, and 59.9% of them said never. Gross!!

In the rest of the poll, 7.4% said they clean their phone when they’re sick, 14.1% clean it monthly or less, and 18.5% of people clean their phone at least weekly. The truth ZDNet confirmed: “the majority of us are filthy creatures.” We wholeheartedly agree.

Look down at the phone (that we’re sure is in your lap or pocket) and repeat after us, “I will disinfect my smartphone tonight.” Good!

According to a 2019 report, 1,200 US residents were polled, and it was discovered that 88% use their phone while in the restroom, and we’re sure quite a few of you are culprits of the same habit.

After the trip to the bathroom, or kitchen, or bar down the street, what do you do? Make a phone call, shoot a text, scroll through social media. Have we all washed our hands? We can only hope…
It’s often we show our phone to others or have pictures and videos shown to us, we’re then touching OTHER people’s dirty phones. We’ll let that sink in. Did they wash their hands?

Smartphones have been compared to toilet seats, and for good reasons. The average smartphone has up to 10x more bacteria per square inch than a toilet seat, and according to the London School of Hygiene 1 in 6 devices accommodate E.Coli bacteria associated with fecal matter.

Below is an image from research conducted by Insurance2Go. Devices were swabbed to detail how much bacteria and yeast show up at 86F after a 48-hour incubation period.

More pictures can be found on https://www.insurance2go.co.uk/media-centre/2018/8/16/dirtier-than-a-toilet-seat-how-to-banish-bacteria-from-your-smartphone/ that encompass several different phone types and the commonly found bacteria on each. Take a look, we’re sure you’ll want to immediately go for the Clorox wipes.

Not only are these high colony-forming units (CFU)s found on our mobile devices, but a study into airport self-check-in-kiosks “showed they contain a massive 253,857 CFU per square inch, thanks to our grubby hands.” We then use our phone as a mobile boarding pass and add more bacteria to our collection.

Now that we’re all sufficiently nauseated, ZDNet also details what we should use, and avoid, to keep our devices as clean as possible.

The best ways to clean your smartphone:

1. Microfiber cloth – This will help to avoid scratching your screen while still shifting away bacteria from your phone. Dampen the cloth for the best results.
2. Technology cleaners – Use specific technology safe cleaners that kill bacteria and don’t leave streaks.
3. Nooks and crannies – Use a damp cotton swab to get inside the headphone jack and charging ports.
4. UV light – The supreme clean, cleaners that include PhoneSoap will use UV to kill microscopic bacterium.
5. Antibacterial wipes – commonly found under kitchen sinks, it’s ok to use a wipe, use it sparingly though as they can contain harmful chemicals.

Things to avoid:

1. Glass cleaner – Window cleaning spray can cause gradual screen erosion.
2. Paper – Paper towels can be rough enough to scratch smartphone screens
3. Rubbing alcohol – Can ruin your device and is not recommended by most vendors
4. Multi-surface cleaning sprays – Contain harsh chemicals and can be too harsh on your device.
5. Vinegar – Although great for household cleaning, vinegar can strip protective coatings from screens.

Happy disinfecting!

Also,
If you need assistance with Managed IT Security Services contact us at 714-970-9330.

Emmy Seigler

Sources:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/60-of-you-are-disgusting-go-clean-your-phone-right-now-heres-how/

https://www.insurance2go.co.uk/media-centre/2018/8/16/dirtier-than-a-toilet-seat-how-to-banish-bacteria-from-your-smartphone/

Image Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/blur-call-cell-cellphone-346734/