About 20% of Americans admit to not washing their hands regularly, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. And even if you do wash your hands regularly, certain surfaces are going to get more germ exposure than others.
“Our hands touch everything, and even if you wash your hands frequently, think of everything you touch in between those washes,” says Dr. Tamera Barnes, MD, medical director of general medicine at Teladoc Health.
These surfaces include door handles, grocery carts, subway poles, the list goes on. But there’s one surface in particular that’s extra germy, and you should consider sanitizing it ASAP.
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The One Surface You Probably Don’t Realize Is Covered in Bacteria
It makes sense that the surfaces we touch the most often are probably the dirtiest. Since people spend an average of about five hours using their smartphones every day, we hate to break it to you but…they’re covered in bacteria.
“We touch door handles and grocery carts, and then we swipe, tap and press our phones to our faces,” Dr. Barnes says.
And how often do you clean and sanitize your phone? Probably not often. Health officials suggest cleaning your phone at least once a day, but only about 20% of people say they do that, according to a 2023 YouGov poll.
Consider how often you use your phone and where you use it, Dr. Barnes says. “Most people don’t realize their phones are basically petri dishes we carry around all day.” Here’s what you should know about the germs that might be living on your phone, how this can affect your health and how to sanitize your device.
What Kinds of Germs Can Live on Your Phone?
Research suggests that your phone screen can be home to tens of thousands of bacteria and viruses, including E. coli and Staphylococcus. They may also carry viruses, like norovirus and influenza, as well as fungi, adds Sarah Laoria, APRN,a certified nurse practitioner at Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital in Woodstock, Illinois.
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You touch your phone constantly, often right after “other germy surfaces,” like gas pumps or keypads at checkout counters, Dr. Barnes says. Then you hold your phone up to your face or scroll through your social media accounts.
“It’s easy for these pathogens to accumulate,” she explains. “People don’t always realize how much bacteria and viruses can build up on something they’re touching all day long, like their phone.”
Many people also use their phones in the bathroom, potentially transferring germs to the screen. Then, when you don’t wash your hands, it could create a vicious cycle.
Can These Germs Make You Sick?
The bacteria, viruses and fungi living on your phone can make you sick, Dr. Barnes says. For instance, E. coli is linked to gastrointestinal problems, like diarrhea, and staph can cause skin infections and more serious issues.
You probably pick up your phone dozens of times a day, enabling the germy buildup on your phone to easily transfer to your hands, mouth, nose or eyes without you realizing it, she explains.
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This is how stomach bugs, pink eye, the flu and skin infections can spread, Dr. Barnes warns, noting that if you typically scroll through your phone right before falling asleep, you could be transferring some of these germs onto your sheets and pillows as well.
Can This Affect Your Health Long Term?
If you do get sick from the germs on your phone, most healthy people will just feel crummy for a few days. But for older people or those with a weakened immune system, it could be more serious, Dr. Barnes says.
For example, MRSA bacteria can be found on smartphones. MRSA is typically resistant to antibiotics, which makes it difficult to treat and potentially causes long-term illness, Latoria explains.
Also, repeated exposure to bacteria and germs can wear down your immune system or cause recurring problems, like acne, skin irritations, colds, eye infections or stomach bugs, Dr. Barnes adds, sharing, “If you’re constantly transferring germs to your face or mouth, your body’s working overtime to defend itself.”
How To Clean and Disinfect Your Phone
A good first step in keeping your phone clean and germ-free is washing your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom, touching public surfaces or interacting with others, Dr. Barnes says.
Related: This Is How Often You Should Really Wash Your Sheets, According to Germ Experts
Get in the habit of cleaning and disinfecting your phone regularly too, Latoria stresses, as it’s “an easy way to help prevent infection for yourself, and the spread of infection to other people.”
Check with your device’s manufacturer for cleaning advice. The Federal Communications Commission also suggests these tips:
- Unplug the device before cleaning
- Use a lint-free cloth that’s damp with soapy water
- Avoid spraying cleaners directly on your phone
- Don’t use cleaning solutions with bleach or abrasives
- Keep liquids away from any openings on the device
You can use disinfectant wipes on many smartphones, but wipes that contain alcohol, bleach or vinegar could wear away the coating on your phone’s screen, according to the FCC. Look for cleaning products that say they’re safe for smartphone screens.
Regularly cleaning your phone “can help keep both your phone and your immune system in better shape,” Dr. Barnes says. And try to do it at least a few times a week, if not daily.
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Sources:
- Tamera Barnes, MD, regional medical director of general medicine at Teladoc Health
- Sarah Latoria, APRN, a certified nurse practitioner at Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital
- Are You Addicted to Your Phone? American Phone Usage & Screen Time Statistics, Harmony Healthcare IT
- New National Survey Finds Nearly Half of US Adults Admit to Not Washing Their Hands at Key Moments, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
- Health experts recommend cleaning your phone once a day – but just 21% of Americans actually do so, YouGov
- Mobile phones represent a pathway for microbial transmission: A scoping review, Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
- How to Sanitize Your Phone and Other Devices, Federal Communications Commission
