Latest news with #disinfection
CNET
21-05-2025
- CNET
You Aren't Disinfecting Your Grimy Phone Daily? Here's the Right Way to Clean It
Even if you take good care of your phone, it's impossible to escape the grit and grime of everyday use. And without routine cleaning, you're inviting bacteria to develop -- in fact, a phone is often dirtier than a toilet seat. Considering that Americans spend more than 5 hours a day on their phones, according to a December 2024 survey, it's in the best interests of your health to make phone cleaning a regular habit. The FCC suggests disinfecting your phone daily, but not all cleaning methods are safe. Harsh chemicals and abrasive materials can damage protective coatings and potentially harm your screen. To keep your phone both clean and intact, it's crucial to use the right cleaning techniques. Luckily, there are safe and effective ways to sanitize your phone without causing any damage. We'll guide you through the best methods and products for keeping your device germ-free, no matter if you have an iPhone or a Samsung or whatever its level of water resistance. For more cleaning tips, here's how to clean wireless earbuds and AirPods. What are the best products for daily cleaning? CNET After touching surfaces that see a lot of action from the public -- such as door handles, seats on public transportation, grocery carts and gas pumps -- you might think you need a heavy-duty cleaning agent to use on your phone. However, you should avoid rubbing alcohol or products made of straight alcohol, since they can damage the protective coatings that prevent oil and water from harming your screen. Some suggest making your own alcohol-water mix, but getting the concentration wrong can damage your phone. The safest option is using disinfectant wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol. For daily cleaning, consider a UV light product like PhoneSoap, which kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria. We can also turn to phone manufacturers and cell service companies for guidance, too. Apple now approves using Clorox Wipes and similar disinfectants, which was not recommended before the pandemic since they were thought to be too abrasive on the screen's coating. AT&T advises spraying a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution on a soft, lint-free cloth and wiping your device down. Samsung also recommends using a 70% alcohol solution with a microfiber cloth. Always make sure your phone is powered off before cleaning it. What are the best methods for removing fingerprints, sand and makeup? Sometimes your phone needs a more specific treatment when washing up. The recommended process for daily cleaning may not be enough to remove pesky grains of sand after a beach vacation or tough foundation stains. Get rid of fingerprints Fingerprint smudges are inevitable since your skin produces oils. Every time you pick up your phone, your screen will get fingerprints. The safest way to make your screen print-free is with a microfiber cloth. For a deeper clean, dampen the cloth with distilled water (never apply water directly to the screen) and wipe down the surface. This works for the back and sides of your phone as well. Alternatively, try a microfiber screen cleaner sticker that sticks to the back of your phone for easy wiping. Remove sand and small particles Grains of sand and lint can easily get stuck in your phone's ports and crevices. To remove it, we recommend you use Scotch tape. Press it along the creases and speaker, then roll it up and gently insert it into the ports. The tape will pull out any debris. You can then just simply throw away the tape for easy cleanup. For smaller speaker holes, use a toothpick gently or a small vacuum crevice tool to suck out the debris. These tools work well for other small appliances or hard-to-reach areas in your car too. Sand and small particles can be tricky to remove. A piece of tape should do the trick. MartenBG/Getty Images Cleanse makeup off your phone screen When you wear makeup and skin care products, such as foundation and moisturizers, you'll leave residue on your phone screen. While makeup remover works for your face, it's not safe for screens due to potentially harmful chemicals. Instead, try a screen-safe makeup remover like Whoosh, which is alcohol-free and gentle on all screens. Alternatively, use a damp microfiber cloth to clean your phone, then wash the cloth afterward. Make sure your cloth is only slightly wet to avoid soaking your phone in water. What if my phone is waterproof? For waterproof phones (IP67 and above), it's best to clean the device with a damp cloth instead of submerging or running it under water -- even if the phone advertises that it can withstand submersion for a certain amount of time. Afterward, dry your phone with a soft cloth, ensuring all ports and speakers are patted dry. While your phone can withstand water, submerging it can lead to water in the ports, delaying charging. Remember, water resistance is meant for accidents, not swimming or regular cleaning. Fingerprint smudges on your phone are inevitable since your skin produces oils that rub off on the to avoid when cleaning your phone We've already covered why you should avoid makeup remover and rubbing alcohol, but those aren't a comprehensive list of harmful cleaning agents. Here are a few other items and products you should never use to clean your phone: Hand sanitizer: Fragrances and ethyl alcohol found in many sanitizers can harm your phone. Fragrances and ethyl alcohol found in many sanitizers can harm your phone. Window or kitchen cleaners: Harsh cleaners can strip the protective coating on your phone and leave it more vulnerable to scratches. Harsh cleaners can strip the protective coating on your phone and leave it more vulnerable to scratches. Paper towels: Paper can shred, making the debris on your phone much worse, and the rough texture can leave scratches on your screen. Paper can shred, making the debris on your phone much worse, and the rough texture can leave scratches on your screen. Dish and hand soap: Most soaps require you to combine them with water, and since you should keep water away from your phone, it's best to stick to a damp cloth. Most soaps require you to combine them with water, and since you should keep water away from your phone, it's best to stick to a damp cloth. Vinegar: Like cleaners and alcohols, vinegar will strip your phone screen's coating. Like cleaners and alcohols, vinegar will strip your phone screen's coating. Compressed air: Blowing intense and direct air into your phone's portals can cause damage, especially to your mic. Apple specifically warns iPhone owners not to use compressed air. For more cleaning tips, explore how to clean your Apple Watch.
Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The rail firm cleaning loos using green ‘chemical-free' product ... that's just water
A train company has been criticised for cleaning its tables and lavatories with a green 'chemical-free' product that is just distilled water. Northern Rail has been using the Clean Zero substance on all of its 345 trains since late 2023 as part of a net zero drive. Managers at the government-owned rail firm boasted that their trains' interiors were 'clean enough to eat from' after using the product, with publicity photos even showing a member of rail staff rolling out dough inside a carriage to demonstrate the cleanliness. But concerns have been raised that Clean Zero, made by Lancashire-based 2San, is 'just water' and contains no disinfectant or soap-type ingredients. 'It looks rubbish' Ian Blenkharn, an expert on hygiene and infection prevention who runs the consultancy Blenkharn Environmental, said water alone was not enough to kill harmful germs. 'I don't think it's a very good idea,' he told The Telegraph, after he was shown product safety documents that reveal the chemical composition of Clean Zero. 'As far as I've seen, it's just water... It looks rubbish. I can't help but think it's an April Fool's joke. 'It's not feasible to say 'wash it down with magic water, that's all you need to do'.' 2San's website says of Clean Zero: 'There is no eco-friendlier product than one that is made only of water, which will not only disrupt the cleaning industry but eliminate pollution and the detrimental impact some cleaning products can have on our health.' Northern Rail introduced Clean Zero in November 2023 as part of a drive to replace chemical cleaning products with environmentally friendly alternatives. A spokesman for Northern did not deny that Clean Zero is water, saying: 'Customers rightly expect the highest standards of cleanliness on board our trains.' Jason Tallamy, the managing director of 2San, agreed to send The Telegraph copies of independent testing that proved how effective Clean Zero was. He said in a statement: 'This award-winning product was the subject of independent testing by a leading UKAS [United Kingdom Accreditation Service] accredited testing laboratory. 'Those tests have confirmed that the product, when used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for use, does result in measurable reduction in bacterial and fungal numbers. 'We have received no complaints from our customers about the effectiveness of the product.' In response to Mr Blenkharn's comments, Mr Tallamy said: 'As far as we are aware, Mr Blenkharn has not conducted any tests on the product, which has been the subject of independent verification. 'If Mr Blenkharn has conducted tests, we would be delighted to see the results and put them to the UKAS accredited testing laboratory that has previously tested the product.' 'Serious public health risk' Reacting to the revelation, Gareth Bacon, the shadow transport secretary, accused Northern of creating a 'serious public health risk'. He said: 'It is unacceptable that Northern Rail is reportedly using distilled water to clean toilets, tables, and grab poles, and still claim the tables on their trains are 'clean enough to eat off'. This is misleading and a serious public health risk. 'With the Office of Road and Rail (ORR) and the Health and Safety Executive apparently pointing their fingers at each other, the Government need to get a grip on this. They should step up to protect passengers and uphold basic safety standards.' Clean Zero does not appear to be currently available to the public, but an Amazon review suggested that a 500ml bottle was priced at £7.50 in 2024. A similarly-sized bottle of bleach can be bought for around £1, while cleaning sprays cost around £3. Despite the obvious public health implications of replacing disinfectant and soap with plain water, regulatory agencies are refusing to intervene. The Health & Safety Executive declined to comment and said it was a case for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The ORR declined to comment, saying its remit focuses on operational matters such as timetabling and the frequency of litter-picking at stations and on trains. The Department for Transport also declined to comment, referring The Telegraph's enquiries to Northern.
