Latest news with #germs
CNET
2 days ago
- Health
- CNET
Your Phone Is Covered in Germs. Here's How to Disinfect It the Right Way
We bring our phones with us everywhere, from sitting in your pocket when you leave for work in the morning, to being a distraction while you eat lunch at the office. Along with traveling with you everywhere, that phone is picking up a ton of germs and bacteria from our hands, and surfaces alike. If you haven't been regularly cleaning your phone, it could actually be dirtier than a toilet seat. The Federal Communications Commission 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. However, 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? 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.
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Health
- Washington Post
Double-dipping may seem gross, but it's not as risky as you think
Is it true that double-dipping can spread germs? Like George Costanza on 'Seinfield,' many of us have done it — dip a chip into a communal bowl of salsa or stick a veggie into the hummus, bite it and then go for a double-dip. Yes, double-dipping can transmit bacteria and viruses from your mouth to the shared bowl. And yes, in theory, those microorganisms can be spread to other eaters. But in most cases, that might not be as risky as it seems. Researchers at Clemson University discovered that there were more bacteria in double-dipped situations compared with the single-dipped. In a series of experiments, the team analyzed how many bacteria were transferred from a bitten cracker into a cup of sterile water compared with an unbitten cracker. They found that if someone had taken a bite before dipping, the water contained significantly more bacteria. Additionally, the researchers reported that the type of food mattered. After double-dipping, salsa, which has a high acidity, had lower levels of bacteria two hours later than dishes made with cheese and chocolate, which have a low acidity. While people may be introducing bacteria or viruses into the communal bowl, it does not mean these organisms are the type that can make you sick, said Benjamin Chapman, department head of agricultural and human sciences at North Carolina State University. Pathogens that cause the common cold, influenza and covid, for instance, have not been shown to be transmitted through food, Chapman said. Respiratory illnesses such as these are much more commonly spread by coughing and sneezing around people at a party than by eating or drinking after them, he said. One strong exception is norovirus. Research shows that the virus — which causes the notoriously unpleasant 'stomach bug' linked to outbreaks on cruise ships and in other places with close quarters — can be spread through direct contact such as hand-shaking, through contaminated food and water, through aerosols, and, most important to this conversation about double-dipping, through saliva. 'If you are recovering from norovirus, double-dipping would be really risky' for other eaters, Chapman said. But because 'people infected with norovirus get sick very promptly, they're unlikely to spend a whole lot of time during the very brief incubation period sharing a dip with someone else,' said William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases and preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University. There is no real evidence showing that double-dipping can cause foodborne illness outbreaks, though experts said double-dipping often happens in small groups that may not be tracked. The double-dipping controversy may be more about social etiquette. 'The presumption is, 'We don't want to make people sick,' but really it's more the 'ick' factor than it is the risk of passing a foodborne illness,' said Keith Schneider, a professor in the food science and human nutrition department at the University of Florida. But here are some best practices, experts said: While double-dipping can spread bacteria and viruses, in most cases, it is unlikely to make you sick, experts said.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I tried to seduce Hugh Jackman and discovered why THOSE rumors just won't die
I tried to seduce Hugh Jackman once. Over breakfast in Tribeca with mutual friends, he smiled politely, passed the sugar – and, disappointingly, did not ravish me. To be fair, I'd just disembarked a 21-hour flight from Sydney, voice destroyed from a particularly rowdy day at the races, and Hugh, ever the gentleman, seemed more concerned about catching my germs than catching feelings.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
This forgotten car surface is filthier than your TOILET
When people clean their cars, they tend to focus on the obvious parts like vacuuming up crumbs or giving the outside a rinse. But did you know there's actually a part of your vehicle that is often overlooked and can wrack up more germs than your toilet? That's right, according to a motoring specialists at Plates Express, your steering wheel is one of the dirtiest parts of the car - and most drivers forget to wipe it down. Studies have shown that steering wheels can harbor hundreds of strains of bacteria per square inch - including those linked to food poisoning and skin infections. That's more than can be found on your mobile phone, your computer keyboard… or even a public toilet seat. James Taylor, a luxury car cleaner who regularly details high-end vehicles for clients across the UK, said, 'People touch their face, their phone, their food - then grab the wheel. 'I've cleaned Bentleys that looked spotless - but when you swab the wheel, the bacteria levels are through the roof.' James pointed out that steering wheels are not only exposed to sweat and food residue from your hands, but also sneezes and coughs since they're located right in front of your face - which can create the perfect environment for germs to grow. 'It's not a huge danger to most healthy people, but if you've got kids, allergies, or low immunity, it's something you should take seriously,' he added. 'You wouldn't go weeks without washing your hands, but drivers go months without wiping down the one surface they touch every single day.' As for the best way to clean it, the expert recommended using a car-specific interior cleaner or antibacterial wipes that are safe for leather or plastic. He also reminded drivers to clean in the creases, and to wait for it to dry before driving since a wet wheel can be slippery. In the end, he said a weekly wipe-down can reduce germs dramatically and takes less than a minute. Back in 2011, research found that while 80 bacteria lurk on each square inch of toilet, up to 700 harmful bugs inhabit the steering wheel. The study found that bacillus cereus – a bug that can cause food poisoning and is found in rice, pasta, potatoes and pies – was the most common along with arthrobacter, which is found in soil and human skin. The study also revealed that 42 percent of motorists regularly dine while driving. Only a third cleaned the inside of the car once a year, while 10 percent said they never bothered to wipe down surfaces or vacuum. Dr Ron Cutler, director of biomedical science at Queen Mary University, London, said at the time: 'While most of the bacteria were unlikely to cause health problems, some cars were found to play host to a number of potentially harmful bacterial species. 'Most people clean their homes but many are neglecting to clean their cars and are driving around in vehicles which resemble a rubbish bin. 'A car is the perfect place for germs to breed, especially if you eat in it and leave litter or uneaten food around. To avoid potential health risks it would be wise to regularly clean your car inside and out.'
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Here's why you're cleaning the kitchen sink wrong – it could be dirtier than your toilet
A CLEANING expert has warned that people are probably cleaning their kitchen sink wrong. Despite being an area of the home associated with cleaning, it is often one of the most germ-ridden spots. 1 Plumbworld, bathroom and kitchen experts, warn that improper cleaning techniques can put folk at risk of illness if not properly addressed. While toilets are regularly disinfected using strong cleaners, kitchen sinks often receive just a quick rinse. This is far from sufficient. Between raw meat, dairy, dirty dishes and even pet bowls, your sink is exposed to high levels of bacteria every day. A spokesman from Plumbworld explains: 'Many people assume the bathroom is dirtier than the kitchen, but studies have shown that sinks can contain more E. coli and other harmful bacteria than the average toilet bowl. "The moist, food-rich environment allows germs to thrive, especially when cleaning is neglected. "Just because a sink looks clean doesn't mean it's germ-free. "Proper daily cleaning habits are essential to keep your kitchen safe and hygienic. "By understanding where germs collect and adjusting your cleaning routine, you can dramatically improve your household's health and hygiene. " Small daily actions make a big difference when it comes to avoiding bacteria build-up in the kitchen." Common cleaning mistakes for the kitchen sink include using only warm water without soap or disinfectant and ignoring the plughole and overflow area, which collect grime. While people often leave sponges or cloths in the sink, allowing bacteria to spread, and fail to clean after rinsing raw meat or fish, which can introduce pathogens. The best tips are daily cleaning – wash the sink basin with hot water and washing-up liquid every day - and disinfecting it with an antibacterial spray, or a mix of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to break down grease and sanitise. Flushing the drain by poring boiling water down the plughole daily to help clear build-up and reduce odours can also help. While regularly washing your sponges, brushes, and cloths and replacing items when they begin to smell or break down is key.
