According to the WHO, it is not known with certainty how long Covid-19 survives on the surface of an object such as a mobile phone, coins or banknotes … According to the information available so far, the coronavirus could persist from a few hours to several days, depending on the type of surface, temperature, humidity …
You probably know perfectly how to clean your hands to prevent diseases such as coronavirus or COVID-19 and you have already incorporated this habit into your day to day life. But do you remember when was the last time you properly cleaned your mobile? Do you know how to properly disinfect other objects that you touch several times a day in which thousands of bacteria accumulate? We are going to tell you step by step along with other tips that can be very useful to protect yourself (and protect others) and thus maximize hygiene measures in your routines.
How to disinfect your mobile
Using alcohol-based cleaners and disinfectants on your mobile phone is not recommended: it could actually damage it.
This is because many mobile phones include fingerprint resistant oleophobic coatings on their screens and the use of cleaning products that include alcohol can damage your mobile.
Another tip when it comes to disinfecting your mobile is to turn off the device beforehand. Follow the instructions below to disinfect your mobile without compromising its operation:
How to disinfect your mobile if you use a screen protector
If you 're of using a screen saver on his mobile phone to prevent scratches and cracks you should know then whether you can use a microfiber cloth with an alcohol - based hand sanitizer to disinfect, but only in the area overlying the protector .
To clean the parts of the mobile that are exposed beyond the screen protector, you can use a microfiber cloth with an alcohol-free cleaner or even warm soapy water (Apple recommendation). The important thing is to keep all areas of the mobile that you touch repeatedly clean.
How to disinfect your mobile with an alcohol-free disinfectant
If you do not use a screen protector and you have the screen of your mobile exposed, you can disinfect it with an alcohol-free hand cleaner as long as it indicates its antibacterial effect and its ability to eliminate germs and viruses on its label . Simply use a microfiber cloth or cloth like those used to clean glasses or photographic lenses.
How to disinfect your mobile with warm water and soap
It is likely that you are exhausted antibacterial gels and liquids, so if you do not have disinfectants themselves, you can also choose to disinfect your mobile phone with a homemade cleaner based on warm water and soap with the help of a microfiber cloth. Remember to always have another towel on hand to be able to thoroughly dry your phone after disinfecting it, preventing moisture from seeping through or accumulating on sensitive parts of your mobile.
How often should you disinfect your mobile
As with all hygiene measures, common sense is recommended. If you leave the house and are constantly exposed to contact with other people (transport or public places), it is recommended to clean your mobile regularly following the recommendations above after each trip, generally it will be about twice a day. Remember to take extreme hygiene measures by washing your hands with soap and water.
How to disinfect other recurring objects
Following the previous advice, it is advisable to clean and, if possible, disinfect any object or surface that is touched repeatedly during the day. Here are some tips:
- How to clean house keys: we use them daily and they are exposed to countless bacteria. We recommend cleaning them daily with warm water and antibacterial soap or simply with an antiseptic wipe.
- How to clean your glasses: both for hygiene and to avoid viruses or germs that can accumulate on your glasses, it is recommended to wash them at least once a day under the tap with soap and water and dry them with paper.
- How to clean your computer keyboard or mouse in the office or public places: these very recurring objects in our day to day also require constant cleaning to avoid viruses, germs and bacteria. You can use a damp towel with hot soapy water (immediately afterwards, thoroughly dry the surface with a dry towel). There are also specific disinfectant wipes for these types of objects.
- How to clean children's toys / objects: if you are at home, wash them with hot water and soap. If you are on the street, there are cleaning wipes that do not need specific rinsing to clean pacifiers, nipples, teethers, spoons, toys, etc.
