People are often afraid to sit on a stranger’s toilet. They are especially afraid of toilets in public places. They are afraid of the bacteria that may linger on the toilet seat. That’s why they usually don’t sit down. They are also afraid of touching door handles and other similar places. It’s okay, we should have a little respect. However, every one of us touches a thing every day that can be many times dirtier than a toilet.

What to do about it? How to live normally in a world full of germs and not go crazy? Of course, hand hygiene is the most important thing. Do not forget to wash your hands before eating, but also after. Of course, you should wash your hands after using the toilet, before and after preparing food or after playing with your pets. It is also advisable to use hand sanitisers. Not only soap and water, but also a good quality disinfectant.

Tens of thousands of bacteria

There are several reasons to wash your hands. One of them is the transfer of bacteria to your mobile phone. Did you know that every square centimetre of your phone contains about 25,000 bacteria? That’s a lot. In fact, it’s not just the kitchen counter, the door handle, the self-service checkout screen and the pet food bowl that are cleaner. And even the toilet seat is cleaner. Compared to a mobile phone, it really makes a big difference.

Studies show that 92% of phones host a wide variety of bacteria. The average contamination rate, according to studies, is calculated to be about 68%. Around 16% of phones contain E. coli. This is a bacterium that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is a bacterium that can cause serious food poisoning. But MRSA or the flu virus can also show up on your phone. The phone can easily be a source of infection for many diseases.

━━ ( Source: Paul Hanaoka /  Unsplash+ )

Why is the phone so dirty

It’s logical. For example, Dr. Charles Gerba, professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona, explained it. According to him, we touch more surfaces than any other generation in history, from ATMs to self-checkouts. So we’re constantly collecting all sorts of bacteria on our hands, which we apply to our mobile phones. We then bring it close to our mouths, eyes and noses. Sounds really scary, doesn’t it?

Of course, bacteria can infect not only you, but anyone you come into contact with. According to experts, 80% of infections are transmitted by hands. And smartphones are just sort of an extension of the hand. Think about everything you touch during the day. Shop handles, stair railings, benches and many other places. You can transfer bacteria with a single touch on your phone and they can survive on the surface for hours thanks to its temperature.

How to keep your phone germ-free

Research has revealed a truly shocking amount of bacteria on phones. In theory, it’s safer to put your face to the toilet seat than your phone. How to get out of it? How do you keep your phone at least relatively safe and clean? It’s important to clean your phone regularly. According to some opinions, conventional disinfectant wipes can be used. Disinfectants are definitely not suitable. Some phone manufacturers recommend a microfiber cloth with a drop of water.

Others recommend cleaning gloves or cotton buds. In the case of waterproof phones, you practically have more options. In this case, it’s even said to be possible to use a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol, which evaporates fairly quickly. Just spray the outside of the device and then wipe with a cotton swab. It’s a good idea to wash your hands before and after cleaning your phone. Thoroughly with soap and plenty of warm water. And be sure to disinfect them just in case.