As we take extra steps to keep our hands clean, it’s time to clean those phones too.

As much of the world is heading into uncharted waters, many of us are thinking about how to further protect ourselves from germs. As well as following guidelines on regular handwashing, Apple had previously advised that you can safely clean your iPhone using 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, which you can buy from computer shops or online. However, if you’re self-isolating or are having trouble buying anything with antimicrobial properties (and of course, loo roll), here is a guide on how to clean your phone using household soap and a damp, lint-free cloth.

• Unplug your phone, turn it off and remove the case.
• Avoid using any chemicals, hand gels and abrasive wipes as these can damage your screen’s protective coating.
• Dampen a microfibre cloth with water and simple household soap. (It’s important to only use a lint-free cloth as anything else may scratch away your screen’s oleophobic coating).
• Gently rub the surfaces of your phone with the damp cloth.
• Take care not to get moisture into any of the ports or controls – even water-resistant phones can lose their protection over time.
• Finally, dry your phone with a clean microfibre cloth.

Even using just soap and water can effectively remove bacteria and viruses from your phone. If you want to see how, here’s a video showing the microbial activity measurements before and after a phone clean.