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The pandemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19 requires everyone to observe precautionary measures to avoid infection. And while social distancing and keeping your hands sanitized are few of the main priorities, ensuring the cleanliness of your belongings is another way to keep all kinds of viruses away.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) included phones among their list of “high-touch” surfaces. This means that it could carry any kind of viruses, including the coronavirus.

A person using a smartphone / Photo by: Freestocks (Unsplash)

According to CDC, you should clean all “high-touch” surfaces daily - including your beloved smartphone.

Household cleaning spray or wipes are recommended by the CDC, with considerations to the label instructions.

CDC noted, “Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during the use of the product.”

Apple also provided some guidelines on how to properly clean all types of gadgets.

• Use only a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid abrasive cloths, towels, paper towels, or similar items.
• Avoid excessive wiping, which might cause damage.
• Unplug all external power sources, devices, and cables.
• Keep liquids away from the product, unless otherwise noted for specific products.
• Don't get moisture into any openings.
• Don't use aerosol sprays, bleaches, or abrasives.
• Don't spray cleaners directly onto the item.

In using disinfectants on your phone, Apple recommends using a wipe with 70-percent isopropyl alcohol for the exterior surfaces of your phone. Bleach, however, is not advisable to use.

Furthermore, avoid letting the moisture get into the openings of your phone. And, most of all, do not dip your phone into any types of cleaning liquids.

Pinoy MD also discourages you to use your mobile phone while in the bathroom.

Their previous episode tells that a study from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) shows that one out of six mobile phones used in the bathroom gets contaminated with fecal matter, the source of E. coli bacteria. Once this enters your body, it can cause fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

As for phone cases, Apple also provided the steps on how to clean it according to its material type.

• Silicone: Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth to wipe the outside and the inside of the iPhone case. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean the iPhone case.
• Leather: If the case is made from natural leather, its appearance will change as you use it. Cleaning the leather might affect its color. Use a clean cloth with warm water and mild hand soap to gently clean the phone case. You can also use a mild cleaner along with a dry clean cloth. Keep your phone case away from prolonged intense sunlight, heat, and humidity. Exposure to water, oil, makeup, and dyed materials (such as denim) can stain tanned leathers.
• Clear: Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to wipe the outside and inside of the case. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean the case.

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172?mod=article_inline
https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/celebritylife/health/59521/read-hygiene-mistakes-that-you-should-avoid/story