I’ll bet there is not one parent of a teenager who has not at least once looked down at their child’s phone and thought “Wow. That’s gross!” But honestly, if you think about it, if you didn’t teach that teenager how to clean a cell phone, why would they even think of it themselves?
The Private Life Of Your Cell Phone
With all the uncertainty of these pandemic days, if you have a moment of absolute anxiety and a feeling of helplessness, I’m advising you: stop thinking and just clean your phone. Even if you are working from home now, your phone has its own life. It’s in your hand. It’s on the counter. It’s in your pocket. It’s in your purse. Someone else may move it out of the way. You may move a family member’s phone out of the way then pick yours up. That phone is still getting handled and you can’t keep your eyes on it every second. Cleaning your cell phone is just like washing your car. Yes, it’s going to rain again, but you still want to keep your car clean. And yes, your phone will resume its busy life, but at least it was clean for a short time. Maybe the critical short time.
How To Clean Your Cell Phone
I’m not trying to be Captain Obvious, but it’s worth saying: don’t spray liquid onto or into your phone. That’s no different than dropping it into the toilet. My favorite way is simple. Use 70% rubbing alcohol. Wet a soft cloth with the alcohol. If your phone is in a case, take it out. Then wipe all surfaces of the phone itself. Before you put it back into a case, and still using a clean soft cloth, wipe the case starting with the inside, then all over the outside. If you have a disinfectant spray, you can use it but spray it only on the cloth, not on the surface of your phone.
A word of caution: many prepackaged disinfecting wipes have microabrasive particles in them. That’s why they work so well when cleaning counters. You don’t want to scratch the protective coating on your phone’s glass screen. I advise staying away from using prepackaged disinfecting wipes.
While You’re At It, Hit That Laptop Or Desktop Also
Your mother probably tried to teach you this when you were growing up. Since you are cleaning, just clean everything that needs it. The alcohol is open, the cloth is already in your hand—what other digital tools are you using every day, whether it’s for business or for browsing? Still have a landline? Clean those phone sets too. Another good idea is to put in your calendar, wherever you may keep it, a regular day and time to do these cleanings as often as needed. Some days are probably cleaner than others.
If your entire computer system needs attention, speak first to an IT expert. Learn if your employees can keep electronics disinfected, or if what you have needs professionals. Aptica can answer those questions. Our assessments are free. Worth a call.
Jason Newburg, 260.243.5100, ext 2101, is the founder and owner of Aptica LLC. This IT management and support company has been serving small to medium-sized businesses for 19 years in the region that includes Angola, South Bend, and Fort Wayne, IN, Battle Creek, MI, and Toledo OH.