Eww! Your Phone is Dirtier Than You Think
Ever wondered how clean your phone really is? A new study has revealed some shocking results – our phones are crawling with germs! The average mobile phone is nearly seven times dirtier than a toilet seat, according to a study by Initial Washroom Hygiene.
The culprit? Our daily habits. We take our phones everywhere, including the bathroom, which exposes them to all sorts of bacteria. Professor Hugh Pennington, a germ expert, says it’s no surprise our phones are dirty. “Swabbing a smartphone is almost like checking your handkerchief for germs,” he told the Mail Online. “You are likely to find them because of the close physical contact you have with this device several times a day.”
While most of the bacteria on your phone is probably your own, experts recommend not sharing phones with others. The study also found that phone cases can trap bacteria, with leather cases being the worst offenders. So how do you keep your phone clean? Experts recommend wiping it down with a disinfectant wipe or a microfiber cloth dampened with soapy water. And definitely avoid sharing your phone with others!
Here are some key takeaways from the study:
- The average phone has 1479 germs per square centimeter, compared to just 220 on a toilet seat.
- Phone screens, backs, lock buttons, and home buttons are all germ hotspots.
- Leather phone cases harbor the most bacteria.
- A third of people never clean their phones!
So ditch the bad habits and give your phone a good cleaning! Your fingers (and your health) will thank you for it.