Coronavirus can live on your phone screen for up to 28 days
Scientists have found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can survive on glass at room temperature for up to 28 days.¹
Your phone is filthy
Even before the current pandemic elevated concerns about public health, scientists have long known that phones are a source of germs. Research found that 2 out of 3 phones are contaminated with bacteria, and over half have traces of E. Coli, which is associated with fecal matter.² And it’s hardly surprising given 3 out 4 of Americans use their phone on the toilet and 85% of us don’t clean our phones.³ Considering Americans check their phones on average 262 times a day or once every 5 minutes,⁴ that’s a lot of opportunities to transfer germs from your hands to your phone and vice versa.
What can you do about it?
Health experts recommend cleaning your phone at least once a day.⁵ However, most tech-specific cleaners don't actually remove germs at all, they just wipe away dust and fingerprints. Hydrogen Peroxide, found in Gadget Guard’s Tech Clean Spray, both cleans AND disinfects – it has been tested and proven to kill 99.9% of germs including SARS-CoV-2, E. Coli and cold and flu viruses.
Dr Lena Ciric, a microbiologist from University College London, says you can also effectively clean your phone using just soap and water,⁶ just like Gadget Guard’s Tech Clean Soapy Wipes. - Hyperlink to product page. You should try to avoid cleaners or disinfectants that contain bleach or abrasives that could remove your screen’s oleophobic coating.
Other steps to minimize contaminating your phone with germs include:
- After being in public places, only touch your phone after you have cleaned your hands.
- Use a hands-free device when making calls so that your phone is not pressed against your face or face mask.
- When shopping, use a written shopping list, not a list kept on your smartphone.
- Use a credit card for payment, preferably a contactless one, and not the mobile pay option on your smartphone.
¹https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12985-020-01418-7
²https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101704
³https://www.bankmycell.com/blog/cell-phone-usage-in-toilet-survey
⁴https://www.reviews.org/mobile/cell-phone-addiction/
⁵https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/how-sanitize-your-phone-and-other-devices
⁶https://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-51862924