While it is important to clean your phone regularly to maintain it, there are things to avoid so as not to damage it.
Did you know that your phone screen is a veritable little nest of bacteria? According to several studies, the multiple daily handling of our smartphone makes it one of the objects with the most bacteria in our daily environment. It is therefore natural to take care of it and clean it regularly enough to get rid of it!
Aside from the issue of bacteria, a regularly maintained phone is also more likely to last longer. The accumulation of dust and other undesirables within a phone’s connectors should be avoided at all costs so as not to damage the structure of the device. Indeed, a poorly maintained phone can quickly tend to overheat and therefore further damage its components in the long term.
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is an independent agency of the American government, specializing in telecommunications and mobile devices. The latter notably presented several indications so that users can properly clean and disinfect their phones. In its press release, the FCC provides several warnings for users who wish to properly clean their smartphone. Among the latter, the commission indicates in particular that you should definitely not place your phone under water to clean it. This is valid even if your device has waterproof certification! FCC experts, however, make more recommendations:
- Unplug your phone before any cleaning operation.
- Make sure that it is completely turned off.
- Do not spray the product directly on the device, but on a cloth.
- Do not use bleach-based products or other abrasive substances.
- Keep any other liquids away during cleaning.
To effectively clean your phone’s screen, use a soft cloth. Avoid handkerchiefs, paper towels and tea towels which could quickly damage the device. In fact, all it takes is a tiny grain of sand or a small pebble stuck in them to permanently scratch your screen. Use a little 99% isopropyl alcohol or demineralized water on your cloth then gently rub your screen. Don’t hesitate to insist a little if you have a stubborn task. In the event of a scratch, you will unfortunately have to replace the device’s screen or purchase protection.
Once your screen is cleaned, it’s time to tackle the rest of the phone. For the charging and jack ports, it is advisable to use small tweezers and remove any dust or other unwanted items lodged inside. Above all, do not pass liquid inside these small conduits! It is also possible to bring a small toothbrush to scrub the inside, but be careful not to leave a single hair inside and to go gently. If you have a shell, remove it and run it under hot water before letting it dry completely. It is advisable to carry out this type of cleaning fairly regularly in order to properly maintain your phone. A wipe two to three times a week will keep your device in good condition for a long time.