Even if you can hardly get the Corona virus on your smartphone, you have to clean it occasionally because it gets a little grubby over time. But you should be careful and never use conventional cleaning agents.
In times of Corona, some users may wonder whether the smartphone you are holding to your face is potentially dangerous. But there is no reason for that. "The cell phone is not a spinner," says Markus Egert, professor of microbiology and hygiene at the Furtwangen University. In comparison to the number of germs on human hands, the germ load on cell phones is negligible.
"Modern smartphones in particular are super dry and smooth, which means that only a few germs can stick to them," explains Egert. They would find little to eat and therefore hardly reproduce. On the other hand, the bacterial load on old button telephones is higher.
Users have an influence on how many germs are on the cell phone. "The surface of the smartphone is a reflection of its user," says Sebastian Klöß from the industry association Bitkom. Those who rarely wash their hands, use their smartphones while eating and in the toilet, transfer significantly more germs to their device than those who do not. The state of the smartphone also has an impact on the germ load. "Bacteria, viruses and mold can stick particularly well in scratches," adds Klöß.
Switch off smartphone
Smartphone providers such as Apple or Samsung often give cleaning tips on their websites. The experts advise switching off the device and removing all connections beforehand. The best way to clean the device is with a soft, lint-free, slightly damp microfiber cloth, the manufacturers advise. With heavy dirt, users can also use a little soapy water. It is important that no moisture gets into the openings of the phone. Many smartphones are waterproof. Klöß still advises to play it safe and wipe it off immediately with a cloth.
Do not use detergents
It is not necessary to disinfect the cell phone at home. There is no particular risk of infection, says Egert. The corona virus can also be inactivated with soapy water. Disinfection is hardly possible, because with the required amount and exposure time there is a risk that the disinfectants will get into the gaps between the devices, explains Bernd Glassl from the Industrial Association for Personal Care and Detergents.
Other cleaning agents can also damage the smartphone – such as glass cleaners. Most touch displays have an oil-repellent coating. It ensures that fingerprints do not stick there. Klöß warns that cleaning the display with alcohol-based cleaning agents will gradually remove the grease-repellent coating.
Clean connections carefully
The connections of a telephone are very sensitive. Therefore, users should clean them carefully and without moisture. Klöß recommends cotton swabs or a soft toothbrush. If you have a small bellows from your SLR camera, you can also use it for cleaning. "However, compressed air cleaners should never be used," warns Klöß.
How often you should clean your smartphone ultimately depends on how you use it, says Glassl. If you travel a lot, meet many different people, and also use your cell phone in the kitchen, you should clean it more often. For those who still fear germs on it, Egert has a calming message. "For healthy people in the household context, cell phone germs pose no danger."
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