How to make an iPhone "germ-free"?

[avigalante]

I just purchased a used first-generation iPhone (8GB) and I was wondering what cleanser I should use in order to sterilize the phone and make it "germ-free."

From the Apple Support Page, it clearly states to not use solvents of any kind:

Unplug all cables and turn off iPhone (press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and slide the onscreen red slider). Then use the included cleaning cloth or a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings.

Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives to clean iPhone.

I did however clean the iPhone using Monster ScreenClean and iKlear Apple Polish, but I later noticed that neither display "antibacterial" or "germ-free" language of any kind.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[friekunater]

hmm... hypocondriac?

 

[EricNau]

Did that article mention the use of a dishwasher or washing machine? I suppose either of those should do the trick.

Personally, I would ignore the warnings and just use a lysol wipe, or something ...but that's just me.

 

[friekunater]

I think I read somewhere on apple.com about having random homeless strangers sneeze on your iPhone to disinfect it but I may be wrong...

 

[avigalante]

hmm... hypocondriac?

Maybe; but the truth is that I have extremely sensitive skin on my face and it tends to breakout from the slightest amount of uncleanliness.

Did that article mention the use of a dishwasher or washing machine? I suppose either of those should do the trick.

Personally, I would ignore the warnings and just use a lysol wipe, or something ...but that's just me.

I actually read this about a MacBook Pro - I think I'll go this route as it seems to be the safest.

I think I read somewhere on apple.com about having random homeless strangers sneeze on your iPhone to disinfect it but I may be wrong...

Indeed; I also read that toilet water will make any iPhone in "like new" condition.

 

[allegrocm]

I've noticed that commercials and other handwashing literature will often try to scare people into washing their hands by stating that bacteria can survive for up to 40 minutes or so on some surfaces. So, even taking that as a conservative estimate, simply let your iPhone sit out for a couple hours, and you should be able to eat off of it. Because, really, things that are adapted to living in your lungs or in mud don't do very well at all on any sort of dry surface.


Ken

 

[rdowns]

I read that ear cheese (very common on iPhones) has 4,500,000 bacteria in just a pin head size drop. Face it, your phone's toast.

 

[wolfie37]

pop it in the microwave, about 20 mins at max power should do the trick.....

If your skin is so sensitive then harsh antiseptics/antibacterials will do more harm than good.

 

[avigalante]

pop it in the microwave, about 20 mins at max power should do the trick.....

If your skin is so sensitive then harsh antiseptics/antibacterials will do more harm than good.

True; but in past experience, antibacterials haven't been so bad.

So an update on this - I spoke to a Mac Genius and he said that the use of rubbing alcohol is perfectly OK for the iPhone (just don't go crazy with it).

 

[sh0ckerturb0]

Whats the big deal with using windex I use it all the time on my screen