In today’s world, our phones are practically an extension of ourselves. We carry them everywhere, and feeling without them is like stepping out without pants. I get it; I’m just as guilty as anyone else. Some people even claim they can’t manage to do anything—yes, even using the restroom—without their devices.
You might be scrolling through your feed right now while seated on the porcelain throne. It’s a prime opportunity for multitasking—lock the door, settle in, and get things done. But before you reach for your phone as soon as nature calls, there’s something you ought to consider: your phone could be harboring harmful bacteria. Yes, you read that right.
It’s probably not the most pleasant thing to think about, but let’s face the facts. While many of us (hopefully) set our phones down during cleanup time and wash our hands afterward, that might not be sufficient. According to research shared by Live Science, your phone can carry up to ten times more bacteria than a toilet seat. I’m not talking about the harmless kind of bacteria; I mean strains that could make you seriously ill, such as E. coli. We scrub our toilets regularly because they’re clearly dirty, but how often do we give our smartphones the same treatment? Not nearly enough.
The reality is that when you flush the toilet without closing the lid, germs can spray everywhere. You might not wash your hands thoroughly, or you could touch a contaminated surface, then your phone. If you’re in a public restroom, just think about where you might be placing your phone while washing your hands—yikes!
And let’s not forget how often we scroll through our phones during meals. We don’t need a reminder of how frequently we touch our devices, hold them up to our faces, and then prepare food or interact with our kids. Picture that for a moment—now that’s enough to make anyone squirm.
Buzzfeed recently conducted a surprise test on 20 employees’ phones, giving no advance notice for quick clean-ups. The result? Every single phone was teeming with germs. Gross, right? This means not only do we need to clean our phones regularly, but doing so is essential for our health and sanity.
So, maybe it’s time to reconsider scrolling through social media while giving a “donation” to the toilet. Or let’s be honest, we know that’s probably not going to happen since our phones often serve as our bathroom buddy. Either way, it’s a good idea to clean your device with a homemade solution of 60% water and 40% alcohol. Just spray it on a paper towel and wipe your phone down every couple of days. Alternatively, electronic wipes are also available. If that doesn’t ease your mind, you might want to check out this super phone sanitizer that uses ultraviolet light—just pop your phone in for 30 seconds for a thorough cleanse.
Experts agree the best way to keep your phone (and hands) clean is to wash them thoroughly and frequently. So don’t panic too much—just be mindful that your beloved device is a hotspot for germs, and make it a habit to clean it regularly.
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Summary
In conclusion, while our phones have become indispensable in our daily lives—including during bathroom visits—they also pose a significant risk in terms of germs and bacteria. Understanding the importance of regular cleaning and maintaining good hygiene can help protect your health.
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