Start With Good Hand Hygiene
“One of the first and best lines of defense is to practice good hand hygiene. Always wash your hands with soap and water, because anything that is on your hands will be transferred to your cell phone. Be cautious when using other people’s devices, too,” Duve advises. “If you do have to use someone else’s phone, avoid holding it up to your face.”'
Reconsider Where You Use Your Phone
You’ll also want to be mindful of where you use your phone. Duve explained that more people than you think bring their cell phones into the bathroom (one study showed just how many), which exposes them to unnecessary amounts of germs.
Wipe Down the Surface
To keep your phone and other touchscreen devices clean, you’ll want to regularly wipe them down. “Use your own judgment based on your environment, but even deciding to wipe them down once a day isn’t too much,” says Duve. “You’ll also want to use a microfiber cloth, which is surface safe, instead of paper towels. If you have a spray cleaner, don’t spray it directly on the screen. Spray it onto the cloth first, and then wipe down your phone.” Because microfiber is able to remove bacteria from a surface, you can also play it safe by skipping the sprays altogether.
What You’ll Need:
Fast-drying disinfecting wipes70 percent isopropyl alcohol (optional)Microfiber clothMild dish soap
