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Key Points
- Mobile phones are one of the germiest objects we come in contact with daily, containing on average 25,000 germs per square inch, which is 18 times more than a toilet flusher in a men's public restroom.
- The high germ count on phones is due to lack of cleaning, especially after taking them into the bathroom, and the transfer of germs from our hands to the devices.
- A 2013 study found that phones had significantly more units of staphylococcus, a bacteria that can cause severe stomach sickness, than toilet seats. Mobile phones of healthcare workers have also been linked to cross-contamination of MRSA, a drug-resistant form of staph causing skin infections.
- One in six phones are infected with fecal matter due to neglecting to wash hands after using the bathroom and before handling devices, leading to potential E. Coli, norovirus, and salmonella infections.
- Regular hand washing and phone disinfection can prevent germ buildup. Cleaning the phone with an alcohol wipe every few days is recommended, with products like iKlear and PhoneSoap suggested for effective cleaning.
It doesn’t take a germaphobe to know that bacteria lurks everywhere—doorknobs, restrooms, and even some unexpected places on airplanes. But one of the filthiest bacteria hot spots is something you probably have in your hand right now—your mobile device.
The average mobile phone contains roughly 25,000 germs per square inch, which makes it one of the germiest things you come in contact with on a daily basis, let alone press up against your face. In fact, studies show that the average smartphone has 18 times more potentially harmful bacteria than the toilet flusher in the average men’s public restroom. Which is horrifying.
The reason? We’re terrible about cleaning our phones, even after taking them into the bathroom. We also have a ton of germs on our hands all the time, which then get transferred onto to devices as we handle them.
Staphylococcus (aka Staph)
In a 2013 study, British researchers took samples from 30 tables, 30 phones, and an office toilet seat. The toilet seat had less than 20 units of staphylococcus per swab. The tablet? 600 units. And the phone? 140. Pretty bad, as staph can cause severe stomach sickness (amongst other problems).
Health care worker’s mobile phones have also been linked to the cross-contamination of MRSA in hospitals and communities. MRSA is a particularly nasty (and oftentimes drug-resistant) form of staph that can cause rashes and skin infections.
E. Coli (from Fecal Matter)
This is next-level disgusting: one in six phones are infected with fecal matter. The culprit here is usually neglecting to wash hands (with soap) after going to the bathroom and before using devices. People also tend to bring their phones with them into the bathroom—placing them on the dirty floor or atop the (also dirty) toilet paper dispenser until they’re finished. These disgusting behaviors can infect your phone with E. Coli, which can cause both diarrhea and more serious infections. And other bugs like norovirus and salmonella can be passed through feces as well.
Influenza
Say you hand someone your phone to take a picture. Say that person happens to be sick, or has flu germs on their fingers. Chances are, your phone now does too.
There’s a simple answer to all of this—regularly wash your hands and disinfect your phone. Carolyn Forte, the director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, advises that you clean your device with an alcohol wipe every few days. “Buy a box of individually packaged ones and keep a few in your purse or car,” she recommends. iKlear is a good choice for a cleaning product. You could also level up and get PhoneSoap, which cleans, sanitizes and charges your device all at once. And if you’re worried about messing up your phone while cleaning it, Apple has some good tips about how to sanitize without damaging devices.
How do you keep your phone clean? Let us know!
Frequently asked questions
How many germs are typically found on a mobile phone?
The average mobile phone contains roughly 25,000 germs per square inch. This makes it one of the germiest things you come in contact with on a daily basis.How does the number of bacteria on a phone compare to that on a toilet flusher?
Studies show that the average smartphone has 18 times more potentially harmful bacteria than the toilet flusher in the average men’s public restroom.What is one of the main reasons why phones are so dirty?
One of the main reasons why phones are so dirty is that we’re terrible about cleaning our phones, even after taking them into the bathroom. We also have a ton of germs on our hands all the time, which then get transferred onto to devices as we handle them.What is Staphylococcus and why is it bad?
Staphylococcus, also known as Staph, is a type of bacteria that can cause severe stomach sickness and other problems. It is often found on mobile phones.How is E. Coli typically transferred to a phone?
E. Coli is typically transferred to a phone when people neglect to wash their hands after going to the bathroom and before using devices. It can also be transferred when people bring their phones with them into the bathroom and place them on the dirty floor or atop the dirty toilet paper dispenser.What is one simple way to keep your phone clean?
One simple way to keep your phone clean is to regularly wash your hands and disinfect your phone. It is recommended to clean your device with an alcohol wipe every few days.What are some products that can be used to clean a phone?
Some products that can be used to clean a phone include iKlear and PhoneSoap. iKlear is a good choice for a cleaning product, and PhoneSoap cleans, sanitizes, and charges your device all at once.How can you clean your phone without damaging it?
To clean your phone without damaging it, it's recommended to use an alcohol wipe and to follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, Apple provides tips about how to sanitize their devices without causing damage.
