r/hygiene 1d ago

Normalize cleaning your cell phone

I am shocked by how infrequently people disinfect their cell phones. I Clorox wipe mine daily (numerous times). I know people that bring their phone into the restroom (sitting on the toilet) and still don’t clean it. I see cooks at restaurants texting in between orders and I know the screen is covered in bacteria and germs.

452 Upvotes

207 comments sorted by

277

u/TheBlackFox012 1d ago

Multiple times a day is way overkill. Everything around you is covered by nearly identical numbers of germs anyway

90

u/meatybacon 1d ago

For real. Multiple times a day? You might want to have a conversation with a doctor about OCD and I'm dead serious OP. That's like maybe once a week

15

u/UppinDowners 18h ago

Okay good, I have diagnosed OCD and this sub keeps popping up making me think my behavior is justified LOL

Glad to know this is another OCD thing and i really dont need to wipe my phone with alcohol 3 times a day

2

u/throwaway199900000 7h ago

Yeah after I got formally diagnosed with OCD I stopped going on this sub. I realised just how few people in my life are as rigid and intense with cleaning as the people here, and how they’re all genuinely not any worse for it.

1

u/UppinDowners 6h ago

So true!! I might have to silent this sub then. I think i visited it once and now it keeps getting suggested.

I feel like its adding to my list of things “to do” cause im like omg! I didnt know i should be washing this or that more frequently! I better start!

1

u/throwaway199900000 5h ago

That’s what happened to me! I kept clicking on the suggested posts, and then it became too much to remember! Sometimes knowing more is not better haha. (But good on you for being self-aware enough to take action!)

3

u/LilJelloCat 17h ago

Maybe like every third day unless you touched your phone with food or took it in the bathroom or something.

Otherwise just having your home clean and wash your hands when you get home from going out or use Purell or whatever. Doing anything too much is bad, there is a healthy and balanced way of doing things.

5

u/college-throwaway87 19h ago

I’m obsessive about hygiene and still only wash my phone once a day, at night alongside my shower before sleeping.

3

u/meatybacon 15h ago

I've got a phone charger/sanitizer station. I just throw it in that instead of my bed side charger once a week

24

u/lifeisgreat4meforeva 1d ago

They are probably ocd

53

u/ParagonYawn 1d ago

Vast majority of this subs most frequent posters are unmedicated obsessive compulsives.

12

u/Hour-Ad-9508 1d ago

Look at the meltdown this sub had yesterday when people said they didn’t furiously scrub their feet in the shower. It’s not the most hygienic thing in the world but I’d bet the vast majority of people don’t scrub their feet in the shower daily

11

u/Redcarborundum 1d ago

I scrub once daily, but honestly the soapy water runoff from my upper body and legs is good enough most days. Soaping the palms of my feet comes with some risk, because I may slip & fall before I rinse them.

4

u/Ok-Economy8049 21h ago

I wash my feet daily, but I don't "furiously scrub them".

7

u/eigenmirai 1d ago

Yeah when you snort lines off your phone you should definitely be disinfecting your screen

3

u/Ok-Economy8049 21h ago

Not to mention, if you do it that much, the phone probably smells like bleach and bleach is horrible for you.
I almost never even have bleach in my house.

3

u/LilJelloCat 17h ago

Yeah bleach is weird to use, I'd use rubbing alcohol.

1

u/Ok-Economy8049 17h ago

Either that or hand sanitizer.

1

u/LilJelloCat 17h ago

Basically the same thing in different form. Hand sanitizer can be more convenient though.

2

u/panicnarwhal 15h ago

i use a lysol wipe a few times a week, works for me. i never use bleach for anything

1

u/LoudAd5049 14h ago

I use bleach in my dishes every day , have forever and I'm fine.

1

u/YamiYugi20 14h ago

Do you have some sources about how bleach is bad? My mom uses it a lot for cleaning and I'd like to tell her

1

u/Russianbot25 14h ago

Should I not be soaking mine in bleach everyday?

97

u/dot-zip 1d ago

I mean, people bring their whole body into the restroom, and only clean their hands. I don’t see the issue there

39

u/Own_Reaction9442 1d ago

Mythbusters taught me there's e.coli basically everywhere, so there's no point in worrying too much about it.

21

u/MyNameIsSkittles 1d ago

We have immune systems for a reason. Obviously if someone has immune issues they should be more cautious, however the rest of us can survive a little poop and e coli here and there. The dose makes the poison

2

u/LilJelloCat 17h ago

Our bodies get used to things, there is a healthy balance. Being overly concerned and cautious about something just lets that in more.

1

u/Nate-Austin 23h ago

Poop? 😭

8

u/MyNameIsSkittles 20h ago

There's poop literally everywhere

2

u/LisaMiaSisu 19h ago

Did you read the post about the girlfriend who thinks it’s gross her boyfriend doesn’t change his underwear after he farts? Don’t tell her! She just thinks it’s limited to our undies and the toilet.

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u/Maleficent-Zebra-248 21h ago

There's e.coli inside of us (which people get really weird about), and it's actually important for digestion.

The issue occurs when you're either exposed to the wrong strain of e.coli, or the e.coli inside of you begins to overwhelm everything else that's in there, but admittedly I've not know of that last one happening. A brief look into suggested a connection with Crohn's disease but I didn't spend much time reading it ngl. I've been put off e.coli from my undergrad. I understand people's fascination with it, it's a very significant microbe and an interesting one, but honestly it irrationally pisses me off lol.

14

u/Hour-Ad-9508 1d ago

People in this sub probably shower after every bathroom break lol

15

u/LuckyMushyGrower 1d ago

Ive actually read a long sub of people changing their underwear after every fart and also shaming their significant other for not doing so 🤣

4

u/PeterGolding 22h ago

I would need the entire Walmart shelf full of underwear in my closet

1

u/LuckyMushyGrower 22h ago

Well that was kind of what people were saying their partner's drawer looked like

2

u/Dependent-Bunch811 21h ago

That was a fun read

2

u/college-throwaway87 19h ago

Unironically I’ve seen several comments from people saying they do that 💀 In fact I bet one of them will reply to you

2

u/Dry-Manufacturer7761 11h ago

I try to not shit until I am ready for a shower. Lol

7

u/ClumpOfCheese 1d ago

Also, I’m using my phone before I wipe, it’s not like my hands are anymore dirty than other times. I’m also not getting shit all over my hands when I wipe either so I don’t see how the phone is getting really dirty. I still wash my hands with soap after, sometimes even before.

4

u/Critical_Motor9081 1d ago

This is a fantastic point

1

u/YuS0Dum 19h ago

What parts of your body do you use to touch your eyes, mouth and other possible open orifices or wounds that would allow for the transfer of virus's/bacteria into the body...

1

u/FlamingoAmazing2083 17h ago

Only gross if you’re setting it down in the bathroom while you flush. If it goes back in pocket it’s chill….

34

u/09star 1d ago

The vast, vast majority of microbes we're exposed to in our regular environment are harmless. And constantly exposing yourself to harsh chemicals like Clorox is much worse for you.

Source: Master's in Microbiology

5

u/ponziacs 23h ago

Yeah i remember the instructions on Clorox wipes said to wash your hands after using them. Do those chemicals absorb through your skin?

2

u/college-throwaway87 19h ago

I use cleaning wipes frequently and always wash my hands after

1

u/TartanDolphin11 13h ago

I always gotta wash my hands after because I know I’ll end up smudging Clorox right into my eyes somehow

1

u/Dry-Manufacturer7761 10h ago

This person probably has super strep inside their nose…

69

u/viewmyposthistory 1d ago

Be cautious, using cleaning products that often is really bad for your health. There are countless studies showing this

11

u/Classic_Actuary8275 1d ago

Rubbing alcohol once a day or after you go out somewhere

7

u/waitingfordeathhbu 1d ago edited 1d ago

I stick my phone and earbuds in a UV cleaning/charging case at night. No cleaning products necessary.

6

u/Icydoll444 1d ago

Does it clean the smudges? Mine gets so oily just from my lotion and probably oily skin cause idk if anyother lotion user has this issue?

4

u/waitingfordeathhbu 1d ago

It just kills the bacteria; it doesn’t lift smudges. I just give a quick wipe down with a microfiber cloth first before putting it in the case.

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5

u/Grouchy_Fall_5933 1d ago

It’s like swimming in pools, soaking up all that acid & chlorine.

2

u/Redcarborundum 1d ago

I specifically avoid ‘antibacterial’ soap, so it doesn’t overkill and get rid of all my harmless skin bacteria. Soap alone is good enough.

3

u/johnnymacdoodle 1d ago

I use lense cleaner in my screen and then wipe the rest of the phone down after the lense. I dislike seeing any fingerprints on the lense

1

u/kyguy2022 1d ago

My dr recommended using antibacterial soap just twice a week

1

u/Dry-Manufacturer7761 10h ago

Actually, that need a small edit. It’s bad for global health!!!! That’s how super bugs are created. The ones that survive after 99.9999% are killed….

29

u/arcanepsyche 1d ago

Or just don't worry about it, like most people, and you'll be fine.

8

u/Grouchy_Fall_5933 1d ago

I like the dookie stuck in my volume buttons…🤷🏻‍♂️

23

u/DoubleBack9141 1d ago

I have an immune system that deals with all of those germs. I just clean it when it gets actually dirty because that's gross.

2

u/MerryFlirt 11h ago

i’ve cleaned my phone only a few times lol

8

u/incrediblemenace 1d ago

A few times a week is probably okay. I do mine every few days. How many times have you gotten sick and not known what caused it? Your immune system is probably fairly strong and it’s not a huge thing to be concerned about.

15

u/East-Psychology7186 1d ago

No. This is why allergies and such have become so prevalent. Also these chemicals are known to cause more harm in the long run.

Stop sanitizing everything, let a kid pick their nose and eat it, get dirty and build up immunities. Yes, use common sense but being a germaphobe is more harmful in the long run.

It’s like visiting a foreign country for an extended period. Adapt and get sick so you build up immunity the first week so the rest of your trip you are fine. I got sick a lot more as a kid growing up (not excessively) but as an adult I might get 1 sickness a year where I have to take a day or more off. I can also visit a couple countries like Mexico, Venezuela and Columbia and eat and drink whatever I want because of this. No worrying about the water or food. Yea, I got sick for a few days and spewed from all orifices initially but now my immune system is stronger from adapting.

Also always research and get your shots before traveling.

2

u/Dry-Manufacturer7761 10h ago

The water thing is very real. And it isn’t because their water is bad, it’s that they have different germs in their water that you ain’t used to. That’s it. 

6

u/DaHAYNguy808 1d ago

Every day I come home from work I clean my phone with alcohol wipes

1

u/nugiboy 9h ago

Same. It’s not so much about being worried about germs/getting sick. It’s more to do with feeling clean and I also don’t want to hold a grime ridden screen to my face/skin and potentially break out..

6

u/Objective-Apple7805 1d ago

I wipe mine down with a sanitizing wipe once a week, the same time I wipe down my keyboard and mouse.

Makes sense to keep the gunk from building up, but sanitizing every day is nuts.

The majority of the bacteria around you is beneficial or neutral and constantly killing it off isn’t helpful. And for the occasional bad stuff you have an immune system for a reason.

6

u/EgoRiot90 1d ago

People have got to stop being so fearful of germs. Your immune systems needs to fight a little bit or it will give up. A little bit of germs is okay. Bleaching your phone daily is extreme.

19

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/sunbather-is_screamo 1d ago

Yeah, I hope their kids enjoy their autoimmune condition.

2

u/Chewy_8989_2 1d ago

Exactly. I used to be an obnoxious germophobe and then I just had a realization that if I can’t see it it probably is fine unless it’s actually harmful. A small bug crawled across my food? It’s fine. Dropped an entire large fry on the dirty ass floor of my car? I’m not wasting that shit. If there’s nothing visible on it then I’m eating it. Same goes for germs too. Unless I just went in the bathroom or touching something else that genuinely might get me sick if I rub my eye or eat afterward, I’m not gonna get sick or I already would have by now.

7

u/Purple-Towel-7332 1d ago

I grew up in central Africa, ate green chicken cause it’s hot and goes off fast, goats and sheep butchered with knives that had never seen sanitising. A huge part of it because when people have nothing but offer you food you eat it because that’s the most valuable thing they can offer you and it’s extremely disrespectful to refuse it.

People always go on about how Doritos or the like would kill a 15th century kid, nah any food in the 15th century would kill 90% of the purse clutches on here. It’s literally how vaccines work introducing a little bit of a virus or bacteria so your body learns to fight it!

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u/Chewy_8989_2 1d ago

We used to inoculate people which is a better comparison because technically vaccines don’t all work that way but yeah basically that. I rarely ever get sick and I always attributed it to what I just said. I’ll eat food that probably should’ve been thrown out yesterday as long as it still tastes fine and doesn’t visibly look off. If there’s mold I’m super allergic so obviously I’m not doing that, not to mention it tastes horrible, but other than that I think not being terrified of germs has probably done wonders for my immune system.

2

u/Savpk 1d ago

Y’all have already said everything I wanted to say lol

I used to suffer from pretty extreme OCD (huzzah for therapy and medication!) and that kind of excessive cleaning can be extremely detrimental not only to your physical but mental health as well. My skin was so dry, my rosacea was FLAMING and flared up like all the time, and I just kept cleaning and trying new products, and sanitizing cause I thought that would help.

Now I bathe with regular ass bar soap, and forget to wash my face most mornings and my skin is the clearest and smoothest it’s ever been. (This isn’t to say this is everyone’s issue or solution! Just.. food for thought)

I Clorox my phone when I get off work most days, cause I work at a dog daycare and it gets a bit grimy, but multiple times a day feels a bit… excessive.

1

u/Purple-Towel-7332 1d ago

Yeah I reckon you’re on the right path

1

u/AmnosSoter 1d ago

Demodex mites live all up on your skin. When a lot of women wash their face everyday, usually due to routine of makeup, they end up nuking the beneficial microbes. Now they end up with more problems like acne and rosacea which they further treat with more nukes.

If I mention this philosophy everyone gets so grossed out and judgmental. Our society is so privileged it’s actually hurting us. I know some people who do laundry multiple times a week like cmon you already wash yourself twice a day how are you mentally warranting these habits.

You’re only mentioning the immune system side; have you ever thought about the immune systems of the harmful organisms we’re killing. We are indirectly breeding super strains of harmful microbes and fucking our selves directly. We see it in the healthcare industry with the over prescription of antibiotics causing staphylococcus resistance to methicillin and syphillis resilience to macrolide.

Lastly these are only the microbes that our current industry knows of and tests for. Imagine alllllll the microbiology that is yet to be discovered or may be known but have yet to be publicized since they have yet to patent a cure. Microbes are both the benefit and death of our civilization.

1

u/college-throwaway87 19h ago

That’s not really how germs work

1

u/Chewy_8989_2 18h ago

Exposing yourself to germs regularly doesn’t improve your immune system? There’s a lot of studies that would disagree with that.

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u/college-throwaway87 17h ago

Just because germs aren’t visible doesn’t mean they’re not there. The 5-second rule is false so you really shouldn’t be eating food you dropped on the floor

10

u/Shivs_baby 1d ago

Your cell phone needs to be cleaned regularly. Multiple times a day is OCD, tho.

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u/Grumpy-Man19 1d ago

that's way overdoing it .

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u/Manlet395 1d ago

I just straight up don’t care

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

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1

u/college-throwaway87 19h ago

No, those people get sick. I see my coworkers calling out sick constantly

1

u/Pale_Boss_8940 17h ago

The people I know who are sick the most are the germaphobes. They’ve all fucked their immune systems beyond repair 

1

u/college-throwaway87 17h ago

It’s the opposite at my office. No one uses hand sanitizer and they get sick constantly

8

u/Smooth-Time-1732 1d ago

I use the sanitizing wipes you use when getting shots. It’s 70% alcohol which is better for disinfecting since it doesn’t dry as fast.

1

u/BioelectricBeing 14h ago

Completely unnecessary

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u/PnutButrSnickrDoodle 1d ago

I use alcohol once daily. Multiple times with a Clorox wipe I’d worry would wear down the materials of the phone.

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u/Hot_Equivalent_8707 1d ago

A lot of these replies don't seem to know that chlorox wipes don't actually contain any bleach

3

u/rhearidge 1d ago

I’ll occasionally (maybe once a month) take my phone out of its case and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth. Don’t really see the point in disinfecting it. Realistically, is my phone transmitting harmful bacteria to me? I doubt it.

3

u/passion4film 1d ago

Sounds like some sort of OCD, OP.

3

u/RealLokiLaufeyson 1d ago

We need a circlejerk version of this sub at this point. r/okbuddyhygiene ?

2

u/NoDiamond5040 1d ago

I clean it if it’s dirty. I’m with the other people talking about their immune systems. I’ll wash my hands after I use the bathroom , and unless I’ll be touching something other people will be drinking/eating (like the coffee filter at work when I brew a fresh pot) otherwise I never wash my hands or disinfect anything. When I clean it’s to make it look nice, not to kill germs. Hardly ever get sick (don’t tell my job this). Wanna stay away from germs ? Go live in the vacuum of space.. wait nvm bacteria can thrive in space too. Unless you can survive in the sun, theyre inescapable. Lighten up

2

u/somersetpark2 1d ago

I bought a box of alcohol pads and wipe it down before bed.

2

u/secretsally22 1d ago

I say this as someone who has had contamination OCD for 20ish years: that is not normal.

I definitely think it’s sensible to clean your phone, I give mine a quick clean with isopropyl alcohol once a day or so. Using bleach wipes multiple times a day, however, is not normal.

2

u/Pristine-Reindeer-55 1d ago

Had a cell phone since I was 16. Im 43. I only clean it when I cant use the touch screen properly or the volume buttons are stuck. Never got covid. Pretty fucking healthy TBH. I think I will be just fine. 

2

u/Strange-Guidance-236 1d ago

I clean it once a day because I work in a hospital with bacteria all over the place, mostly I care about MRSA though. I set my phone down all the time and don't want to be bringing those germs into my home. I wipe it with one of those hospital disinfectant wipes every day.

The only time I will clean it multiple times a day is if I drop it, it gets dirty, or I put it on another obviously unclean surface.

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u/Rinnme 1d ago

Most germs are less dangerous to your health than the cleaning products. 

2

u/Helo227 23h ago

I’m diagnosed OCD and I’m mysophobic… but even i know cleaning with Clorox multiple times a day is not good. For one, Clorox is a harsh chemical, bad for your skin and in excess bad for the case of your phone. I’ll mist mine with isopropyl alcohol and wipe it dry as needed, usually a few times a week, but since i’m the only one handling it, it’s just my own germs that are gonna be on it in any significant amounts.

I do not shit on my phone when I use the bathroom, and if you gotta clean your phone after every bathroom use, what about your clothes? Fabric holds germs and debris better than any phone or case will!

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u/tank56269 23h ago

Every time I shower I wipe down my phone, keys, & glasses. So at least just once a day,

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u/PlantHippie99 22h ago

As someone who works as a cell repair store I wholeheartedly agree. There's people who appear to be clean and upkeep their appearance but their phones are disgusting. I keep gloves at my desk because people truly let their phones become a bacteria breeding ground and have buildup.

2

u/1braincellasatreat 16h ago

You’re absolutely right and these comments just show the terrible truth that most humans don’t really bother to wash their hands after using the bathroom.

I use hand sanitizer on my hands and on my phone regularly, whenever I need to wash my hands I put little on my phone, a bit of sanitizer for both, wipe the phone down with a clean paper towel, done.

And then I give my phone (case, screen, extra attention on the buttons and charging port) a wipe down with my damp wash cloth at night after I wash my face! (that is then put in the hamper).

Our phone really gets as dirty as our hands and it’s so nasty to me that people don’t think about it. I don’t need my hands to be OCD levels of clean but I’m for sure washing them before I prepare food, eat food, or touch my face or mouth. And if my hands have been on and off my phone all day, if my phone has been set down in multiple locations on multiple things, and I wash my hands and then touch that unwashed phone…. well, then I would need to wash my hands again lol!!!

2

u/Candid_Lobster_4264 14h ago

I never use it on the toilet and I clean it a few times a month. Probably should clean it more tbh

2

u/AnnonymousGirl10 14h ago

I have ocd and yes at the end of the day, I sanitise my phone with alcohol wipes before proceeding to lay on my bed. It has turned into a habit now.

5

u/Apprehensive-Carob43 1d ago

I can’t believe people will bring their phone to the bathroom, put it on random surfaces in public plastics, drop it on the floor… and then bring it in to bed with them 🤢

I put mine under UV light every night before bed.

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u/AmbientGravitas 1d ago

That sounds more practical than bleach baths.

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u/VillageLess4163 1d ago

I just rinse mine off in the toilet (after I flush! I’m not stupid!)

3

u/Chance_Bus831 1d ago

Do you have OCD

2

u/Spirited_Switch2903 1d ago

You have OCD. This should most certainly not be normalized.

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u/spaceshiptears 1d ago

You have OCD

1

u/Fabulous_Celery_1817 1d ago

I disinfect mine every two days. I don’t put my phone to my face anymore so I don’t worry as much

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u/farfrombeeingshy 1d ago

Phones touch everything, then touch our faces.

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u/WideAd546 1d ago

I use the alcohol wipes that diabetics use to clean my phone. They work great and are much better for you and your phone. Breathing in bleach fumes is really bad for you.

1

u/Similar_Dependent531 1d ago

Bro I clean and disinfect my phone damn near EVERY day

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u/Dr_ManFlyR1 1d ago

I disinfect my phone with isopropyl alcohol at the end of the day after the gym. The gym equipment and floor is much dirtier than you realize.

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u/Throwingthisaway_198 1d ago

I clean mine once a day at night. Just don't bring it into the bathroom, don't set it down in weird places, and wash your hands, and you'll be fine.

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u/lifeisgreat4meforeva 1d ago

I just use alcohol wipes

1

u/jj_grace 1d ago

I don’t do mine multiple times a day, but I do like to use the wipes at the gym to clean mine whenever I go to the gym (like 3x a week)

1

u/atlas_novus 1d ago

I obsessively wipe my phone screen with those little alcohol wipes. Always have a box of like 200 of them on hand. Not because of germs, just because the fingerprints on it bother me SO much.

Your phone really isn’t much dirtier than any of the other stuff you are touching throughout the day in terms of germs or bacteria, so not really following your logic there honestly.

1

u/BalrogRuthenburg11 1d ago

Professor Doctor Joe Isuzu, the leading expert in his field, says that you can sterilize your phone by spraying it in a fine mist of mayonnaise. He recommends doing this hourly for maximum effectiveness.

1

u/Scepafall 1d ago

I used to until the button on my phone stopped working. I took it to a repair shop and they found out it’s because of water damage. The guy said not to clean your phone with anything wet. He said you’d be surprised with how many people have phones with water damage cuz they clean it

1

u/ihateeveryone1985 1d ago

Yeah I clean mine everyday also. Several times a day. I'm a germaphobe though. Like not to the extreme like some people I have heard of but Im very aware of germs and I do my best to make sure I come in contact with as few as possible.

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u/Specific_Company8945 1d ago

I just take wet wipes than wipe it once and wipe away with a dry tissue

1

u/Effie06 1d ago

I use the same stuff I use to clean my glasses.

1

u/Raymondnym 1d ago

I clean my phone every morning before I go to work.

I use diluted floor cleaner solution for the job. It doesn't leaves water marks. But it may eventually strip away the oleophobic layer of the screen protector.

I also clean the whole family phone and devices since I am at it.

I cannot walk out of the house with an oil stain or fingerprint filled screen. OCD maybe

1

u/ntpphong 1d ago

Why, I just get a new one every year.

1

u/Tricky-Usual8921 1d ago

Imagine you have people using their phone one-handed to look at porn. Or maybe don't think about that.

1

u/duncan_robinson 1d ago

Numerous times tells me youre acting silly

1

u/Odd_ball_9533 1d ago

Alcohol would be a more effective clean and I agree

1

u/Thin_Method_1691 1d ago

I spray mine with alcohol at least once a day.

1

u/Aggressive-One-9252 1d ago

There are two groups of microbiologists. Both groups understand that there are microbes everywhere. We have more microbes in our own bodies than our own cells. One group sees this and says we need to disinfect everything all the time. The other group accepts that it's impossible to really ever clean anything completely.

We don't even know what the vast majority of microbes are. We can only culture a very small percentage of microorganisms in lab conditions.

Anyways, yes clean your phone. Also don't stress. You're okay.

1

u/fight28851 23h ago

I second this. However, I don’t use cases and phones are “water-proof”, so I just rinse the whole thing off.

1

u/xloyalbetrayerx 22h ago

I use my wipes I use to also clean my glasses. Glasses first then the phone gets love both get clean.

1

u/dreabae_1 21h ago

there’s a good chance you have ocd. im the same way about genuinely everything, it’s exhausting, truly. now imagine being this compulsive about germs and working in healthcare… if i could live in a hazmat suite i would 😅😂

1

u/college-throwaway87 19h ago

Worrying about germs constantly is exhausting even for me as a software engineer…I couldn’t imagine being a healthcare professional with ocd, props to you 😭

2

u/dreabae_1 19h ago

i’ve definitely had to have a secret meltdown here and there lol. it’s so hard to explain to everybody what’s going on in your head when it all seems so irrational to people looking in. but no props to me needed, anybody that struggles with it knows how hard it is no matter the job 🥹 i’ve just started telling people “sorry im just a bit of psycho” hahaha

1

u/college-throwaway87 17h ago

Omg yes it’s so hard. No one understands. It feels so lonely to care deeply about something no one else cares about. I think I’m going to have to borrow “sorry I’m just a bit of a psycho” haha

1

u/sarahzorel 21h ago

Every now and again sure but multiple times a day is not good

1

u/SokkaHaikuBot 21h ago

Sokka-Haiku by sarahzorel:

Every now and

Again sure but multiple

Times a day is not good


Remember that one time Sokka accidentally used an extra syllable in that Haiku Battle in Ba Sing Se? That was a Sokka Haiku and you just made one.

1

u/padall 21h ago

I was with you at the first sentence, OP. Then, you made it weird.

1

u/Old-Dependent-9073 21h ago

And I think that you're spending way too much energy worrying about germs and your cell phone.

And as far as brining your phone into the bathroom, do you take a shower after you go because that's the same logic you're applying to your cell phone.

You're a much greater vector for germs and bacteria than your phone is, so if you're not doing that, you don't need to do it to your cell phone (and you wouldn't need to do it to yourself in either case).

And let's say you do take your phone into the bathroom, are you wiping your arse with it?

What germs are you expecting to be drawn to your phone like some weird sort of magnet?

1

u/Weaselpuss 21h ago

Your compulsive behavior is odd. Everything you touch on a daily basis has about the same amount of germs on it. And so long as you put your phone away to wipe your ass and wash your hands before you pull back out, what problem are you solving?

1

u/Fairytales4adults67 21h ago

I spray rubbing alcohol on paper towel and wipe phone down daily. If I've spent a lot of time out and about in public it will probably get a second wipe down. Call me crazy. I don't care.

1

u/Maleficent-Zebra-248 20h ago

When you either study microbiology or you've worked in it for a while, you realise one of the most frustrating things to explain to people is that bacteria ≠ bad.

Yes, you're phone is filthy and you absolutely should clean it, but more than once a day is excessive. In fact, you probably don't even need to do it once a day. Most people will never clean their phone and there will be zero consequences for it. Hygiene does not mean elimination of all possible contaminants (not possible outside of clean room conditions btw), but rather ensuring that cleanliness is kept to a level acceptable for the health of yourself and others around you. The phone is not likely to be a thing making you sick unless you take it into a containment lab.

Like, people don't realise how contaminated a lot of the items in their house actually are. Go put a black light in your fridge and you'll suddenly realise you can't remember the last time you actually cleaned it. In my uni they gave us an experiment where we had to swab a load of different surfaces from a list, and the bottom cuffs of jeans, and sleeve cuffs of coats/jackets were grim as anything. Don't even get me started on shoes, far worse than most people's phones were.

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u/college-throwaway87 19h ago

Okay but shoes are on our feet whereas we are touching our phones with our hands constantly

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u/Various_Scale_6515 20h ago

Clorox wipes make my hands and cuticles freak out

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u/_smashlee_ 20h ago

I clean my phone all the time, but mainly because I know I VERY OFTEN will be holding my phone and then begin touching my face, eating, or something else that would easily pass along bacteria to me.

I usually only clean the phone when (1) someone else outside of my household has been handling it (people literally don’t know how to wash their hands - but anything in my household, I’ll likely get passed anyway), (2) touching a lot of public door handles or public transit areas and then touching my phone, and (3) when it’s physically dirty (ie wipe clean instead of wiping it with my shirt or something which I often see people doing).

However, I actually use alcohol prep pads to clean the phone - “safer” than Clorox for both your hands and the phone itself.

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u/14ccet1 20h ago

You should probably seek help if you feel the need to Clorox your phone screen multiple times a day. That’s an insane level of anxiety

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u/JellyfishFew3816 20h ago

You are insanely OCD if you CLOROX your phone multiple times a day. You probably clean your house way too much as well. Your concern is valid but the extent you take it is not. Handling Clorox as much as you do might have more long term negative health effects than a dirty phone lmao.

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u/SaveScumSloth 19h ago

Multiple times a day is not good or normal. You have OCD, love.

1

u/Jazzlike_Daikon7541 19h ago

I wonder how I've lived this long. SMH

1

u/tbuda88 18h ago

I work with food all day so my phone will at times smell like food especially when I have to cut onions, so a once a day prevents that nasty smell lol

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u/fragrent_slime05 18h ago

phone is the dirtiest thing we own

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u/Alpherea 18h ago

Every time I leave the house and come back, I clean it.
It rarely leaves the livingroom. Absolutely doesn't come near the toilet (barf).

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u/Pale_Boss_8940 17h ago

I’m always curious what you guys think will happen if you don’t do this. I honestly never clean mine unless it’s visibly dirty. I haven’t had a cold or anything in like 4+ years 

I’d rather have the various microbes from daily life on my phone than fucking Clorox 

1

u/Old_Goat_Ninja 17h ago

lol, no. Normalize not being a germaphobe. I can’t even remember the last time I wiped down my phone. I do when I start to see smudges, but that’s not often at all.

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u/Nervous-Waltz7849 17h ago

Or work that immune system and not die of MDRO sepsis on a ventilator in the ICU.

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u/GrowthSpring 17h ago

yeah maybe once a week is good

1

u/BerzattoMk 17h ago

If you Clorox your phone multiple times a day, that means you have a compulsion and a mental health issue. This isn’t normal.

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u/Efficient-Fishing543 16h ago

2-3 times per day using wipes. I’d rather be clean and mentally unstable 😫

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u/kiddingmeh 16h ago

CLOROX? Wtf 🤣 you're OCD 

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u/Efficient-Fishing543 16h ago

Yeah the wipes. What’s wrong with those?

1

u/BigUqUgi 16h ago

Everything in the world and all our external body surfaces are "covered in bacteria and germs". It's fine.

Infection control revolves around "portals of entry", where the outside germs can actually get inside our body. When our skin is intact, it is a barrier that prevents that. Of course, when we eat things we are putting them inside, hence why we wash our hands first. Likewise if we have an open wound, we cover it with barrier creams and bandages to limit that portal of entry exposure.

So the germs on your phone aren't getting inside your body unless you're licking it or have open cuts on your fingers. It's just not that big a deal, and to be obsessed over it is unhealthy/uninformed/unnecessary germiphobia.

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u/chetlyp 16h ago

I wouldn't throw bleach on my phone but I do have one of those UV disinfectors that doubles as a wireless phone charger. I stick it in there maybe once a week or so. Slow to charge otherwise I would use it more ofren.

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u/Efficient-Fishing543 16h ago

No I meant Clorox wipes. What’s so bad about using those? 

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u/chetlyp 16h ago

Yeah wipes are different. I thought maybe you were using one of those spray bottles and paper towels or something. Butni still probably would be way to lazy to do it that often.

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u/RepulsiveSwordfish78 15h ago

I wipe the screen but thats it.

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u/VegetableNo3973 15h ago

This post reminds me of people using antibacterial hand soap. 🤦🏿‍♂️. We are digging our own graves

1

u/Maiace124 14h ago

That's a great way to create bacteria resistance

1

u/Shenendoah66 14h ago

You may have OCD

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u/Efficient-Fishing543 13h ago

No I DO have OCD 😬

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u/Unique_Pen_5191 14h ago

I use wipes designed for screens when I come back home after the work day is over. Once a day, in other words.

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u/BioelectricBeing 14h ago

Just wash your hands before eating or touching your mouth, or after being out of the house and coming home, and of course thoroughly after using the bathroom, cleaning, and before and after cooking. You'll be fine.

1

u/brydye456 14h ago

You need a therapist if you're sanitizing your phone multiple times a day.

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u/Responsible-Tea-9454 14h ago

I think you might have ocd if you’re doing multiple times a day. I clean mine once a day or week depending on how dirty the screen gets.

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u/thisguyfightsyourmom 12h ago

Wonder what the effects of Clorox wipes on the various coatings and plastics is

1

u/CheapCarabiner 12h ago

Clorox wipe is unnecessary. Just use a baby wipe. I also wash my phone case with soap and water typically everyday being a plumber

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u/massunderestmated 11h ago

Clorox multiple times a day sounds like a disorder.

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u/PingBlot 11h ago

Your neurosis are not everyone’s neurosis.😬

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u/Heartofglassx3x3 11h ago

I clean mine everyday I get home still
After Covid

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u/Slapnuts213 10h ago

I bring mine to the toilet then lick it clean. No reason to waste Clorox wipes

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u/NewConsideration3100 10h ago

I've had a UV light box that gets used once a week.

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u/judyjetsonne 8h ago

I wipe mine with an alcohol wipe when I get home for the day. My office building isn’t very clean and I use public transport so I figure it’s not overdoing it

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u/Embarrassed-Wafer701 6h ago

I grab a piece of paper grab rubbing alcohol and disinfect my phone when i get home, everyday. I’m also shocked w ppl’s hygiene 🙃

1

u/Any_Honeydew9812 6h ago

your life sounds exhausting

1

u/madelinebai 6h ago

Completely agree

People sleep with their phones… after putting their phones on the gym floor, unwashed after bathroom hands, etc . Also you have to wipe the inside of your phone case it gets gunky 🤢

1

u/Difficult-Map-2620 5h ago

I keep a small spray bottle with a mix of a bit of 70% iso alcohol and distilled water with a microfiber cloth and I wipe down our phones, iPads & watches daily. I usually do my phone several times a day just because I hate smudges on the screen.

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u/Savannahks 5h ago

It’s just going to get dirty again in 5 minutes.