Cleaning devices reduces germs

Published: Saturday, 1/4/2014 - Updated: 1 minute ago

NEW YORK TIMES

NEW YORK Take a look at your mobile device. Do you see oily fingerprints and lint on the touch screen? Dust and crumbs forming particulate frost in the corners? Is that a hair stuck at the screens edge?

Because our electronics are constantly within our grubby grasp, they can get pretty gross. Repeated studies show what accumulates is germy nastiness worse than what is on the bottom of your shoe.

That devices can be a source of disease transmission is not a subject of debate anymore, said Dr. Dubert Guerrero, an infectious disease specialist at Sanford Health in Fargo, N.D., and co-author of a study about the persistence of bacteria on iPads published in November in the American Journal of Infection Control.

So it is a good idea to keep your devices clean, not only to keep from getting sick, but also to maintain resale value when its time to upgrade. Companies like Best Buy, Target, Gazelle, Amazon, Verizon, and AT&T all offer trade-in or cash-back programs, said Derek Meister, a technician for the Geek Squad, Best Buys repair and online support service.

People dont want any marks or grime on their devices, Mr. Meister said, because, like trading in a used car at a dealership, the better the condition, the more like new it is, the more money you get on your trade-in.

A word of warning: Cleaning your device can be tricky, because you dont want to damage it and manufacturers dont give you much guidance. It can be done, however, if youre careful and conscientious.

Dr. Guerrero and his colleagues found that regularly wiping down your device with a moist microfiber cloth was sufficient to eliminate many kinds of common bacteria. More enduring and dangerous bacteria like clostridium difficile (which can cause diarrhea or colon inflammation) and flu viruses may require a bleach or alcohol, he said.

This is a problem, because Apple on its Web site officially warns against using window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, alcohol, ammonia or abrasives to clean its products and advises instead to simply wipe the screen with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove oil left by your hands.

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Cleaning devices reduces germs