I use my smartphone constantly, how can I keep it clean and virus free?

Cleaning recommendations from Apple’s website for the iPhone suggest it is ok to use a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to gently wipe the exterior surfaces of your iPhone. Don’t use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don’t submerge your iPhone in any cleaning agents. Note that some of the iPhones have a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic (oil repellent) coating that can be diminished by cleaning products and abrasive materials, which could also scratch the phone. Make sure you unplug your phone before trying to clean it. For directions specific to your iPhone, see Apple guidelines for phone cleaning.

As an alternative, UV disinfecting products can be purchased to help clean phones. Currently these are in high demand, so they are back ordered.

SOURCES

• Apple guidelines for phone cleaning: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207123
• https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-clean-your-cell-phone-4163609
• Re: UV light as a disinfectant: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31269912