Here's Why You Should Consider Cleaning Your Cell Phone

There doesn’t seem to be a moment when we’re not using our mobile phones. As indispensable as they’ve become to modern life, it’s important to realise that like any other often used surface, they need to be cleaned and disinfected so that they don’t become germ breeders and disease transmitters.

The Modus Operandi

Consider your routine from morning to night and then think about everything you touch before you use your mobile phone. Your shoes, a door knob, a toilet flush—the list is endless. 

Now imagine how many germs are being bred simply by such contact, and how many are being transmitted back to you as you speak on your phone. 

Add to that the fact that a long conversation may lead to sweat on your handset and think about what happens when you hand your phone in that condition to someone else to speak on. Truly, the scenario is a germaphobe’s nightmare.

Do yourself a favour and clean or disinfect your phone regularly, otherwise, you’ll be creating a breeding ground for at least 25,000 germs per square inch! 

Germs Galore

Bacteria and germs that are most commonly carried through mobile phones are Staphylococcus Epidermidis, Staphylococcus Aureus, E. Coli, Acinetobacter, Klebsiella and Influenza viruses. These germs multiply if they’re not cleaned off the surface of your phone.

Dr Pramati Reddy, Consultant General Physician at Apollo Hospitals, explains, "Bacteria found in the mouth and upper respiratory tract also spread through aerosols and droplets that are released while breathing and talking. Due to frequent usage, the phone surface remains hot, causing sweating and transfer of bacteria from the body to the face or hands. The warmth of the phone is a favourable medium for growth and multiplication of various organisms."

Dr Rahul Agarwal, General Physician at Maxcure Hospitals, says, "The highest risk of infections has been found in hospital-owned mobile phones. As these are shared among employees from shift to shift, they need to properly be disinfected to ensure that diseases don’t spread."

Clean your mobile phone frequently with alcohol wipes to control and get rid of germs. Phone covers also act as effective germ barriers.