Phone screens are touch-sensitive surfaces. We spend hours every day on our phones and tablets and often neglect to clean these devices. Bacteria and germs can get onto your phone’s screen while you’re using the device, spreading between users.
You should clean your phone and tablet screen regularly to prevent the spread of bacteria. Unfortunately, most people neglect to clean their phone or tablet screens. If you haven’t cleaned your screen in a while, these techniques and affordable products work.
UV light
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Obviously, if you want to disinfect your phone, water will only get you so far. Since alcohol-based cleaners can damage your phone, they’re out of the question, but UV lamps can get the job done when needed. HoMedics UV-Clean Sanitizer has two UV-C lamps that produce a specific wavelength of light, which penetrates the cell walls of bacteria and viruses, destroying them. Just turn your phone over to clean it from either side and your phone will be disinfected in no time.
The downside of this particular option is that it is unlikely to fit tablets and some of the largest phones. While we haven’t had a chance to check, internal measurements mean the iPhone 12 Pro Max should fit — just — but the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra won’t. But if you have a smaller or average-sized phone, this is a great sanitizing option, and it’s also good for travel, thanks to its portable size.
Cleaning kits
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All-in-one cleaning kits come with everything you need to keep your phone reasonably clean, and they also come with the tools to keep it clean while you’re on the go. This kit from Tech Armor does just that, and includes a microfiber cloth, two cleaning solution sprays in different sizes (one for home, one for guests), and a set of 20 double-strength cleaning wipes.
Tech Armor claims the cleaning solution is completely alcohol and ammonia free, so it shouldn’t damage your screen during use, and the soft microfiber cloths are good for picking up bits of dirt left by cleaning cloths or wiping away cleaning solutions. Use the large bottle when you’re at home, and pack a few wipes and a smaller bottle in your bag in case you need to give your device a refresh during the day.
Protective case
Tech21 has a range of cases with antimicrobial properties. Image used with permission of the copyright holder
You might not know it, but some cases have antimicrobial properties that can help keep your phone clean. Tech21 specializes in this form of case and has a range of cases for a range of phones which are claimed to reduce germs by up to 99.99% as well as protect against damage when dropped. Best of all, they are currently 20% off.
But you don’t have to choose an antimicrobial case, because normal cases still help. By preventing your body or screen from touching dirt, grime or your fingers, you can prevent it from getting damaged, and many cases come with added benefits, like raised edges that lift your phone off surfaces. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve written case guides for a bunch of phones, but the best place to start is probably our guide to choosing a smartphone case.
Antimicrobial screen protection
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You run your fingers all over the device’s screen and then bring it to your face, so it makes sense that that area is one of the worst places for bacteria to accumulate. Fortunately, there is a protective option that protects against germs and other microbes. InvisibleShield has added antimicrobial properties to its screen protectors and claims the treatment kills 99.99% of bacteria and inhibits the growth of algae, mold and mildew. That’s a lot of gross stuff you don’t want near your fingers, let alone your face.
InvisibleShield screen protectors don’t just add dirt resistance — adding one to your device’s screen will also add protection against other damage, like scratches and bumps. InvisibleShield has a range of different protectors for various phones, so if this interests you, check them out. However, they are not cheap.
Liquid screen protection and cleaning
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Over the years we’ve seen some liquid solutions designed to clean and protect screens. Luvvitt liquid glass is one such example, one that you can apply to your screen in a few simple steps. You can think of it as liquid glass for your smartphone or tablet. The good thing about this nano coating solution is that once applied, it hardens and can repel both liquids and fingerprints. Luvvitt is scratch resistant and easy to apply. It’s also safe to use on fingerprint scanners, including the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanners on the Galaxy S20 line.
Microfiber cloth
The simplest and cheapest way to thoroughly clean your device’s screen is with a microfiber cloth. Unlike paper towels, microfiber cloths gently clean the delicate glass on your smartphone or tablet without the risk of scratches. Microfibers also attract and remove unwanted oils and dust that other products can simply spread.
Intel/Flickr Image used with permission of the copyright holder
We recommend stocking up on plenty of them because they work wonders for cleaning and polishing literally any surface—lenses, computer screens, televisions, and anything else. Some things, like glasses, come with a microfiber cloth, so you probably already have a number languishing in your drawers.
To clean the screen, turn it off because you can see dirt and grime better. It is also mandatory if you use water (see below). Move the cloth repeatedly in a horizontal or vertical direction. Once you’ve finished a section of the screen, move on to the next dirty area and continue wiping until the surface is completely clean.
For dirtier jobs or those that require more than a microfiber cloth and a little elbow grease, consider using a minimal amount of water. First, turn off the smartphone and remove the battery (if possible). Then wet one corner of the cloth with water — do not use any type of soap while doing this — and clean the surface of the screen in a manner similar to the above method. When you’re done, use a dry cloth to remove some of the water (you can also let the screen air dry).
Additionally, we recommend keeping the microfiber cloth clean to avoid rubbing the dust and dirt you’ve already picked up on the screen. To clean the cloth, simply soak it in a mixture of warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly, then air dry completely before reuse.
self-adhesive tape
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When a microfiber cloth is out of the question – and you need to clean the screen quickly – a strip of duct tape (or other type of adhesive tape) can work wonders. Just stick the tape to the surface of the screen and peel it off to remove unwanted dirt and grime. Repeat as many times as necessary to clean the entire screen. A wide body band is best for this trick. It’s a simple trick, but it works well.
Things to avoid
Not all cleaning methods are created equal, and there are some methods that seem obvious at first, but should definitely be avoided. Here are a few of them.
Alcohol-based cleaning agents
With a dirty tablet screen, your first instinct might be to reach for Windex, but you should stay away from these harsh solvents. Not only could these cleaners damage the protective coating on your device, but they could also get inside and damage the connectors if you spray them directly on your phone.
To get a comprehensive idea of the sea of screen cleaners available, we recommend doing a quick Google search to find the best ones. There are dozens of solvents and solutions available that can help you clean your screen without causing permanent damage. If you’re adept at DIY projects, we also suggest checking the ingredient lists of cleaning products you find online to see if you can make a more affordable version at home. It’s not worth spending more than $60 or $70 on a cleaner when you could use a microfiber cloth and some water to clean the screen just as thoroughly.
Water is usually all you need to effectively clean your device’s screen. However, water is not enough to destroy dangerous forms of bacteria. If you’re looking for a screen cleaning solution that you can make at home—a little rubbing alcohol mixed with water can help fight surface bacteria. However, keep in mind that even diluted alcohol can damage your device. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and be careful when cleaning with these solutions.
Tissues based on paper
We cannot stress this enough; Do not wipe the smartphone screen with paper towels, tissues, rough cloths or T-shirt material. Although they might be soft to the touch, the stitching on these wipes can easily scratch the glass surface. At first, you may not notice when the scratches start to appear, but over time they will become very obvious. Eventually, scratches could make your screen unresponsive or cause the touchscreen to malfunction. Instead, use a microfiber cloth to keep your smartphone screen squeaky clean.
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Source: newstars.edu.vn