How to Sanitize Your Smartphone - Consumer Reports Here's a snapshot of how the different models compare: So, you put your phone in a box and it cleans it, but how does it actually get the cleaning done? And in 2017, astudy published(Opens in a new window)in The Lancet, funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found UV disinfection can reduce transmission of the four most common superbugsMRSA, VRE, C. difficile, and Acinetobacterby a cumulative 30%. PhoneSoap may not be . How cleaning your phone with UV rays could protect against coronavirus Additionally, you can throw in anything else that will fit earphones, watches, even wallets. Tierno added UV-C light won't be able to get into the "nooks and crannies" of phone cases and buttons, however, noting that, despite that, "these (devices) kill microbes quickly.". Household UV sterilizer Market 2023: Future Growth and - MarketWatch Its probably hard to hear, but the number of germs on your phone might bring new meaning to the concept of dirty talk. Studies show your smartphone is a breeding ground for germs. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. If you'd like to charge your phone simultaneously, you have the option to plug in your USB or USB-C cord. From shoe covers to HEPA air purifiers, the rise of protective gear and equipment has been well-documented. While the best UV sanitizers may not be able to guarantee the elimination of the coronavirus, these popular UV devices are still a good idea to keep around for your coronavirus prevention kit at home, at the office or in your car. We asked Gerba about the UV-C light technology behind the PhoneSoap to see if theres any truth to the claims that it kills 99.9% of household germs., An alcohol wipe is the best way to sanitize your phone. So alongside topping up your phones battery, you can sanitize it as well. She says there is no way for consumers to test UV sanitizer wands and recommends people read carefully before making purchases. Weve used a UVC wand on everything from keyboards to couches to stuffed animals. The lightning bolt design on the top of the lid lights up when the PhoneSoap is running and goes dim once the 10 minutes are upan easy-to-read indication of when your phone is ready to remove. But there's one huge caveat: "UV light damages human skin, so it should only be used on objects or surfaces," the NASEM continues. Prices and availability subject to change. PhoneSoap 3 UV Smartphone Sanitizer from Amazon for $79.95 Target Isopropyl 70% Alcohol Wipes (40-ct) from Target for $3.99 Simple Alcohol Wipes (25-ct) from Target for $9.99 PhoneSoap Basic UV. Do phone sanitizers and phone cleaners really work - Reviewed With man-made hand sanitizer in short supply, many people are turning to what's been called "nature's hand sanitizer," or ultraviolet light. Our bodies do count on some strains of bacteria to function correctly, but many forms of bacteria are harmful and can cause illness and infections. UV light will sanitize your phone too. And if so, which one should you buy? With a device like this it should be relatively simple to test whether 10 minutes is enough to inactivate coronavirus or any other virus, Taylor told Digital Trends. Based on what we gathered, however, we wont recommend throwing your phone in there every few hours like you would wash your hands. The power of PhoneSoap comes in the form of UV-C light. Before that he covered mobile and wearable tech as a staff writer at Digital Trends. As youre probably well-aware, UVA and UVB rays are also more harmful to humans, since prolonged exposure can lead to skin damage, aging and risks of cancer (its the reason why dermatologists always recommend wearing a good sunscreen). UV-light technology for disinfection isnt newthe medical industry has been using it for decades. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. Learn more. While the effectiveness of environmental UV sterilization on surfaces such as floors has been confirmed, however, further research is needed about the safety of indoor UV light fixtures, as well as its efficacy at sterilizing clothes and human skin. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. Disinfect your phone: Does PhoneSoap Go work? You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Plus, Dr. Hollmig continues, as UV light devices "are often not cheap -- especially relative to more standard disinfectants that we know work -- these may not be the most efficacious way to clean. Dr. Hollmig helps break down UV light as it relates to skin health. UV sanitizers come in various forms, from UV sanitizing wands, to sanitizing cases, to UVC lamps (often called germicidal lamps). Beyond disinfecting your phone, you can sanitize face masks, keys and even your retainer. Its open design means it has a 360-degree range; there are no dead zones here. Nicole Saunders is a former associate commerce editor for Select on NBC News, covering wellness and lifestyle. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Heres Where to Find KN95 Masks for Travel, From Game of Thrones to Seinfeld, Get Box Sets of Your Favorite Shows for 60% Off, Emma Chamberlain Used a $7 Walmart Brush to Prep Her Met Gala Look, Where to Buy Last-Minute Lakers vs. Warriors Tickets Online, Meet the Racket Sport Taking Over America (and the Businessman Trying to Make It Happen), This MasterClass Deal Gets You 35% Off a Subscription Ahead of Mother's Day, How to Score Last-Minute Tickets to the F1 Miami Grand Prix This Year, New Jeans, Rina Sawayama, Saweetie Among Gold House A100 Honorees, Newsmax Accuses Murdochs of Designing a New-World-Order Globalist Kill List Against Tucker Carlson, DeSantis' Disney Board Will Countersue the Mouse, 'Redfall' is a Decent Looter Shooter With an Identity Crisis. Consumer devices aren't the only place to find UV light sanitization. The answer is probably close to never, but it shouldn't be. The jurys still out on how well they function with cases and screen protectors, therefore you should continue to sterilize them manually every so often too. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Gordon Lightfoot, Canadian Folk Rock Troubadour, Dead at 84 This means you should not use UV light as a hand sanitizer. Inside the little box are two powerful UV-C lightbulbs. According to Otterbox, PhoneSoap3 UV sanitizer kills 99.99 percent of germs such as E. Coli, Salmonella, Staph, MRSA, the flu and common cold within 10 minutes. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Germaphobe or not, if you're going to treat your phone like your third hand, you should clean it like one, too. I tested out one of the most promising, the PhoneSoap 3, for a few weeks to help you determine if its worth integrating one into your daily routine to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses and bacteria. To use, simply wave the wand a few inches over the surface you want to disinfect. If you've followed Motorola's other smartphones as of late, you'll know that's not something that happens very often. The product specifications should state the wand is 260 nanometers in range and give a specific duration that is no more than seconds. Keith Richards Surprises Fans at Willie Nelson's 90th Birthday Concert, Sings 'Live Forever' With Willie. The PhoneSoap will also work with small wallets and key fobs, but fitting your phone, wallet, and keys inside at the same time is out of the question. Can a UV-based phone sanitizer kill the coronavirus? analysis by the Journal of Hospital Infection, offering complimentary UV-based sanitizing service, Forget gaming theres another big reason to buy the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, Heres why the FBI says you should never use public phone chargers, You may want to think twice about buying a Samsung or Pixel phone, How the iPhone became the most boring phone you can buy in 2023, I cant believe how our OnePlus 11 vs. iPhone 14 Pro camera test turned out, Coronavirus: How COVID-19 is changing the way we live. There's no evidence right now that typical sun exposure can kill the coronavirus, so no, going outside on asunny daywon't reduce your risk of catching it. Easy setup. Phones get pretty germy, Gerba said. Compared to the PhoneSoap 3, the Pro has twice the UV bulbs to sanitize in 5 minutes and has a larger interior for bulkier accessories. In our monthly recap of the most popular reader favorite items, PhoneSoap 3 UV Smartphone Sanitizer and Universal Charger makes a regular appearance and is continuously highly in-demand. Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date. The battery-powered PhoneSoap Go includes a carrying case, so you can bring it with you for portable disinfecting. Based on the available scientific evidence that UV light can destroy various viruses, it's probably true that UV light can kill SARS-CoV-2. UV light is the latest popular tool in the ongoing race to find ways to prevent oneself from catching SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. One of the most commonly-touched surfaces is our cell phone, and studies have shown that some phone screens and cases can carry more bacteria than a toilet seat (yes, really). Both a wipe and UV light will work well.. Amest Adalja, MD(Opens in a new window), a senior scholar and assistant professor at the John Hopkins University Center for Health Security, is skeptical about the efficacy of consumer UV sanitizers. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. Next, fill a. The best UV sanitizers can help zap germs from jewelry, earbuds, sunglasses and even bedding and furniture. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. Your subscription has been confirmed. The second and third-generation iPhone SE reused the older iPhone 8 body, which had a slightly larger 4.7-inch screen, and are still the only iPhones left using Touch ID. Traffic to. Place your phone inside the gadget and close it. The use of this website means that you accept the confidentiality regulations and the conditions of service. A child-lock design prevents kids from opening up the lamp (the UVC light is not hazardous but you still want to avoid any prolonged exposure. Accessory maker, Totallles UV phone sanitizers top even functions as a wireless charging mat. Apr 26, 2023 (The Expresswire) -- The Global " Household UV sterilizer Market " report is a comprehensive analysis of the global industry, providing valuable insights into the major industry . As someone who can trace every cheek pimple back to a handheld phone call, I was intrigued by the idea of portable product that might disinfect a phone that goes with me everywhere from the bathroom to the bedroom. The Healthe Cleanse Portal that Magnolia Bakery has installed in its New York locations. Plus, sanitizing with UV-C light isn't new hospitals and laboratories have been using UV light to keep facilities sterile since the mid-20th century. PhoneSoap has a simple but effective design. In spite of these concerns, UV-based phone sanitation devices seem like a handy and convenient accessory to own given you can afford them or find them readily available on sale. PhoneSoap gives real results that'll help keep you and the people around you healthier. Head to the companys website to find out more about the products or to purchase. Belkin is a respected name in tech accessories. If you live with anyone who may have a compromised immune system young children, elderly or ill individuals PhoneSoap could be a particularly valuable investment. According to PhoneSoap (opens in new tab): PhoneSoap has been tested and clinically proven to kill 99.99% of Influenza type A, an enveloped virus similar to the coronavirus.