### At Least Once a Day This recommendation was given by Lottie Tajuri, an associate professor at Australia’s Bond University and Murdoch University. According to him, for most people, a reasonable minimum would be to clean their phone daily. For those who hardly ever put their gadget down, the scientist advises doing it more often — for example, in the morning and during the day. "Once a day would be good. Since we are very active throughout the day, it’s probably reasonable to do it twice a day — in the morning and during the day," the researcher explained. ### What Was Found on Smartphones The recommendation is based, among other things, on studies of smartphones belonging to healthcare workers from Australia and the United Arab Emirates. Researchers examined 95 mobile phones and found a total of more than 17,000 microorganisms on them. Particular attention was drawn to the fact that about three out of four examined devices simultaneously harbored several types of potentially harmful bacteria. This was concerning, especially since these phones belonged to employees of medical institutions, where hygiene requirements are particularly high. ### Why Clean Hands Become Dirty Again The problem lies in the fact that a smartphone is almost continuously moved around with its owner. A person picks up the phone after touching door handles, handrails, keyboards, and other objects, places it on a table, brings it to their face, carries it in a pocket or bag, and then picks it up again. As a result, there is a constant exchange of microorganisms: they transfer from hands to the smartphone, and from its surface, they can end up back on hands and other objects. This is why Tajuri compares the mobile phone to a "third hand" — with the only difference being that people usually wash their actual hands much more often. ### Smartphones Should Be Included in Hygiene Rules The issue is particularly significant for hospitals and other medical institutions. Researchers believe that just cleaning hands and traditionally monitored surfaces may not be enough if staff continuously use uncleaned phones. Therefore, scientists suggest considering mobile devices when developing sanitary rules and infection control protocols. For the average person, the recommendation is simpler: it is advisable to clean the smartphone daily, and with very active use — twice a day. It is also important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and not use products that could damage the screen or protective coating.
