We’re all guilty of leaving our phones on the table while eating, but it can actually make us sick. The average cell phone harbors over 7,000 different types of bacteria, more than a toilet seat. And when you bring it to the table, all those germs can be transferred to your food, possibly causing illness. So what is the right way to clean your mobile phone?

Poor cell phone hygiene can make you sick

Our mobiles follow us everywhere, from the bedroom to the bathroom, to commuting and to the office. It’s estimated that we touch around 150 different objects throughout the day, meaning there’s a good chance bacteria from dirty surfaces will end up on our screen and case.

Many studies have shown that our mobiles can become infected with all kinds of potentially pathogenic bacteria. However, according to mobile recycling comparison website Compare and Recycle, 15% of Brits never clean their phones, despite 7% even using them in the toilet.

Dr. Gareth Nye, head of the BMedSci Medical Science program at Cheshire University, explains: “Each of these surfaces has the potential to lead to contamination with more dangerous bacteria. Once they’re on our hands, the next surface we touch is usually the phone screen, and bacteria are transferred from whatever we touch to the phone.”

This is especially true if we consider the use of the cell phone in the toilet, adds Dr. Nye. “This is directly related to the spread of bacteria from faeces. They naturally reach our hands when using the toilet, then our cell phone, and continue to be transferred until both surfaces are cleaned. This can cause bacteria to spread around the table during the meal if you use your phone while eating.”

What bacteria might be on your cell phone?

It depends on your job, says Dr. Nye. “Healthcare workers, even if they are not on the front line, can develop a range of bacteria, the most common being Pseudomonas aeruginosa (which can cause serious respiratory or skin infections) and Acinetobacter baumannii (which can lead to meningitis).

Non-healthcare workers still carry bacteria on their phones, with Gram-positive bacteria being the most common. These are linked to food poisoning and other gastrointestinal problems. “Almost all mobile surfaces carry the common dangerous bacteria E. coli and fecal streptococci.”

How to clean your cell phone

Here are some top tips from the experts at Compare and Recycle:

  • Before cleaning, unplug your mobile to avoid any damage to the ports.
  • Remove the phone case and wash it in warm, soapy water before letting it dry completely. If your case is leather or PU leather, use a special cleaner to avoid permanent marks.
  • Clean the outside of the phone with a lint-free cloth to remove dust and debris.
  • Use a wooden toothpick to remove dust and dirt from the phone’s ports.
  • Use a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or a cloth slightly dampened with warm, soapy water to wipe the exterior of the phone, paying particular attention to areas around the buttons and speaker holes. Avoid spraying liquid cleaners directly on the mobile phone and its ports.

How often should you do this?

Daily disinfection, combined with good hand hygiene, is enough to prevent most infections, according to Dr. Nye.