How dirty is your phone? Scientists reveal shocking findings and safe cleaning tips
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Smartphones, often carried everywhere and touched countless times a day, are emerging as unexpected breeding grounds for bacteria, viruses, and even parasites, experts warn.
Phones can host dangerous bacteria and viruses
A recent survey conducted by researchers at Bond University in Australia involving 165 healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses, found that 98 percent believed their phones were contaminated. About 52 percent admitted to using their phones in bathrooms, while 57 percent said they had never properly cleaned them.
Lotti Tajouri, a molecular biologist at Bond University, said an analysis of 30 smartphones revealed a wide variety of microorganisms. They found E. coli (evidence of fecal contamination), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (antibiotic-resistant bacteria), Salmonella, Listeria, as well as viruses, parasites, and amoebae. Tajouri said smartphones act as ‘hotspots for bacteria,’ providing a massive platform where microbes can interact and survive.
Why smartphones get so dirty
According to The Conversation, a nonprofit media outlet, users often handle smartphones countless times a day and bring them everywhere — kitchens, dining tables, gyms, hospitals and even bathrooms. This constant exposure increases the risk of contamination and cross-infection.
Experts recommend cleaning and disinfecting smartphones at least once a week. However, for people who frequently take their phones to high-risk places like hospitals, public transportation, gyms, or bathrooms, cleaning twice a week is advisable.
How to clean your smartphone safely
Dr. Meena Jha of Central Queensland University pointed out that while many people wash their hands several times a day, they neglect their phones. Some think they can simply wipe their phones with household cleaners or hand sanitizers, but these can damage the screen and internal components over time, he points out.
Experts advise against using solutions with more than 70 percent alcohol content, especially 100 percent isopropyl alcohol, as these can damage protective coatings and affect touch sensitivity. Spraying alcohol directly on the phone or submerging it in liquid should also be avoided.
Additionally, excessive rubbing of the screen can wear down its protective coating, leaving permanent marks or causing surface damage. Instead, experts recommend using cleaning products designed specifically for smartphones or gentle wipes labeled safe for electronics.
This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top healthcare and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.