It makes sense that the surfaces we touch the most often are probably the dirtiest. Since people spend an average of about five hours using their smartphones every day, we hate to break it to you but...they're covered in bacteria. "We touch door handles and grocery carts, and then we swipe, tap and press our phones to our faces," Dr. Barnes says.And how often do you clean and sanitize your phone? Probably not often. Health officials suggest cleaning your phone at least once a day, but only about 20% of people say they do that, according to a 2023 YouGov poll.Consider how often you use your phone and where you use it, Dr. Barnes says. “Most people don’t realize their phones are basically petri dishes we carry around all day.” Here’s what you should know about the germs that might be living on your phone, how this can affect your health and how to sanitize your device.
What Kinds of Germs Can Live on Your Phone?
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The bacteria, viruses and fungi living on your phone can make you sick, Dr. Barnes says. For instance, E. coli is linked to gastrointestinal problems, like diarrhea, and staph can cause skin infections and more serious issues. You probably pick up your phone dozens of times a day, enabling the germy buildup on your phone to easily transfer to your hands, mouth, nose or eyes without you realizing it, she explains. Related: Most People Are Cleaning This Body Part Wrong, Doctors WarnThis is how stomach bugs, pink eye, the flu and skin infections can spread, Dr. Barnes warns, noting that if you typically scroll through your phone right before falling asleep, you could be transferring some of these germs onto your sheets and pillows as well.
Can This Affect Your Health Long Term?
A good first step in keeping your phone clean and germ-free is washing your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom, touching public surfaces or interacting with others, Dr. Barnes says. Related: This Is How Often You Should Really Wash Your Sheets, According to Germ Experts
Unplug the device before cleaningUse a lint-free cloth that’s damp with soapy waterAvoid spraying cleaners directly on your phoneDon’t use cleaning solutions with bleach or abrasivesKeep liquids away from any openings on the device
You can use disinfectant wipes on many smartphones, but wipes that contain alcohol, bleach or vinegar could wear away the coating on your phone’s screen, according to the FCC. Look for cleaning products that say they're safe for smartphone screens.
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Sources:
Tamera Barnes, MD, regional medical director of general medicine at Teladoc HealthSarah Latoria, APRN, a certified nurse practitioner at Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital Are You Addicted to Your Phone? American Phone Usage & Screen Time Statistics, Harmony Healthcare ITNew National Survey Finds Nearly Half of US Adults Admit to Not Washing Their Hands at Key Moments, National Foundation for Infectious DiseasesHealth experts recommend cleaning your phone once a day – but just 21% of Americans actually do so, YouGovMobile phones represent a pathway for microbial transmission: A scoping review, Travel Medicine and Infectious DiseaseHow to Sanitize Your Phone and Other Devices, Federal Communications Commission Read More Details
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