How and When to Clean Your Smartphone

How often do you clean your smartphone? Because figures suggest that it's almost certainly not often enough. A past study conducted by the University of Arizona found that our smartphones carry ten times more bacteria than most toilet seats. This shocking statistic is the result of two main factors.

Firstly, the frequency and ways we use our phones throughout the day. And secondly, the infrequency with which most people make efforts to clean them. Accordingly, it's vital to understand how to clean a smartphone and the importance of doing so regularly.

The good news is that keeping a smartphone clean and free of bacteria is easy. It can also prove instrumental in extending the life of a handset. That's because it prevents the potentially damaging accumulation of dust, dirt, and other types of buildup. For the most part, the process involves just three straightforward steps.

Start by turning off your phone. Next, give the handset a good once-over with a soft cloth. Make sure the cloth is clean, as any pieces of trapped dirt could cause scratches, particularly to a phone's screen. Pay special attention to any areas where dust and other grime are the most likely to accumulate.

With the bulk of any dust or other debris now removed, a more thorough clean can take place. Ideally, use a disinfectant wipe or spray designed for cleaning electronic items. If that's not an option, use a second clean cloth that's been dampened in a little warm water.

Repeat the same process outlined in step one, again paying attention to the areas most likely to pick up dust and dirt. You can also use a small amount of dish soap to remove any stubborn buildup, such as makeup residue.

Be especially cautious with smartphones that lack waterproofing. While many phones, like the Galaxy S21 FE 5G, are now waterproof, older ones won't be. In this instance, be careful not to soak a phone. Furthermore, less is more when it comes to disinfectant sprays or small amounts of dish soap.

It's also a good idea to pay extra attention to any ports, switches, and buttons. These are all parts that pick up dust, lint, and other grime. If it builds up, debris can even prevent the components from working.

Of course, these are all becoming less common on the latest smartphones as manufacturers replace physical buttons and ports with alternatives. Do double-check any such areas, though, as well as speakers and microphones, as even small amounts of debris can eventually prove problematic.

Lastly, give the handset a final wipe with another clean, dry cloth before turning it back on.

A 2016 study found that, on average, people touch their smartphones over 2,500 times per day. That's between day-to-day activities, preparing and eating meals, using the bathroom, and more. As such, it's easy to see how smartphones can become a breeding ground for bacteria. In an ideal world, we'd all clean our smartphones as frequently as we wash our hands.

However, in reality, that's not feasible. It's partly why hand-washing itself is so important, especially in today's world. By keeping hands clean and sanitized, the things that come into contact with them—including smartphones—are at a reduced risk of contamination.

Still, keeping smartphones themselves as clean as possible remains a good idea. With that, aim to give any phone a cursory wipe over at least once or twice per day. Smartphone users can then tackle more thorough cleaning weekly or even monthly.

A suitable smartphone case is a great way to protect any handset. Smartphone cases prevent damage caused by knocks, drops, and spills. In addition, they can also help to shield a phone from bacteria and germs. Various antibacterial smartphone cases and screen protectors, for example, are available from brands including OtterBox.

When it comes to even greater protection, an extended smartphone subscription warranty from Upsie is another solution. Upsie’s warranties safeguard against manufacturing defects, mechanical faults, and other failures. With an Upsie smartphone warranty, your device is safe from accidental damage from drops, spills, and cracks.

Best of all, Upsie costs just $9.99 per month. That's because Upsie cuts out traditional sky-high mark-ups and passes on these savings to customers. Find out more at Upsie’s website or via the Upsie smartphone app for iOS and Android.