When our smartphones sit in our pockets, hands, and bags all day long, they quickly accumulate dirt and other filth. Phone sanitizers eliminate much of the manual work from the cleaning process, and we've outlined five reasons why you should (or shouldn't) consider buying one.
In short, if you want to improve the cleanliness of your device, you might benefit from investing in a cell phone sanitizer. This factor is especially true if any of the following sound like you:
- You can usually just wipe your phone to remove fingerprints, but you'll rarely, if ever, get a deep clean.
- You want to keep your personal belongings clean but don't have the time to clean them yourself.
- You don’t want to risk liquid getting into your device and potentially causing long-term damage.
Sanitizers are great for people who want to improve their smartphone cleanliness, but you might be one of those people who doesn't benefit from them. Please think twice before taking action if:
- You already clean your smartphone regularly and don't mind working manually.
- You don't have the budget to buy a quality disinfectant; quality varies greatly.
- You don’t care about deep cleaning your personal belongings.
For those looking to take their cleaning to the next level, cell phone sanitizer is a logical choice. Here are our five reasons why you should buy, based on personal experience.
Although liquids are effective at cleaning smartphone screens, prolonged exposure to such liquids is not the best idea. For example, a 2007 study of hand sanitizer found that isopropyl alcohol (the same type of alcohol used in many screen cleaners) can cause skin dehydration.
Another recently published study found that isopropyl alcohol is more harmful to the skin than ethanol. If you have sensitive skin, it might be a good idea to minimize your contact with screen cleaners and similar products.
Since phone sanitizers don't use these chemicals to clean your device, they may be a healthier option for you.
Even if you plan to clean your phone more regularly, sticking to the schedule isn't always easy. We're better able to maintain habits if we limit the resistance involved, and let's be honest, few people enjoy picking up a cloth to clean their smartphones.
If you want to clean your phone more often but often forget to do so, a phone sanitizer might be just what you need. All you have to do is place the device in and turn on the cleaner. Some also allow you to charge your phone, and using the device as a regular charger may make it easier to maintain good habits.
You should only buy a cell phone sanitizer if you can afford one of the better options. From personal experience, the cheaper versions are usually not worth the hassle; their shelf life is often limited, and some I received were not even usable upon arrival.
You should also do your research and read cell phone sanitizer reviews before buying since quality varies widely. Our roundup of the best phone sanitizers is a great place to start.
If you've already cleaned your phone with a cloth and/or screen cleaner, but you find the process too time-consuming, a phone sanitizer might be what you need. Sanitizing wands and pocket sterilizers can clean your phone in seconds, while others take minutes.
Even if you choose a sanitizer that takes longer, you don't need to be as present as you would with manual cleaning equipment. So while you're cleaning your phone, you can check some chores off your to-do list, like taking out the trash.
It's a good idea to keep all personal belongings clean, not just your smartphone. But to do this, you often need to free up more than a few minutes of your time.
Many cell phone disinfectants are also safe for cleaning headphone cases, jewelry, and many other items. Therefore, you can achieve total hygiene with ease. Consider purchasing a larger sterilizer, such as the Coral UV 2 LED Sterilizer and Dryer, to clean more personal items, not just cell phones.
While many people will get great value from a phone sanitizer, you should also think twice before deciding if you really need it. Cleaning your smartphone with a microfiber cloth and the right liquid is effective; you may prefer this method if your skin isn't sensitive or you're not worried about chemical exposure.
If you already clean your devices regularly and don't mind working manually, you probably won't find the value in a phone sanitizer either. Some people may even enjoy the process, and if you're one of them, disinfectants are unlikely to change your life dramatically.
It's also largely pointless to buy a low-quality phone sanitizer, and you'll likely need to spend more time talking to customer support than actually cleaning your device. So if you can't afford the disinfectant you really want, it's better to wait until you can.
