I dropped my Motorola Edge 60 Neo into a dirty toilet. I immediately removed the case, powered the phone off, and rinsed it with water. It is now drying on paper towels. What is the safest way to disinfect the phone, especially the screen, without damaging it? My main concern is cleanliness rather than simply drying it out.
3 Answers
A UV sanitizer is optional and isn’t necessary here; it may not reach every surface and won’t remove grime. Physical cleaning with a suitable disinfecting wipe or lightly dampened cloth is more reliable. If the phone was fully submerged or later shows charging, speaker, camera, or display problems, have it inspected before continuing to use it.
Don’t soak the phone in alcohol or any other liquid, since it can get past the seals and damage the internals. Once the outside is dry, wipe the phone and screen with a soft microfiber cloth lightly dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Keep liquid away from openings, ports, speakers, and buttons, and don’t spray directly onto the phone. Remove the case and wash it separately with soap and water. Leave the phone powered off until it is completely dry, and don’t charge it while there could still be moisture inside.
Ethyl alcohol can work for disinfecting the exterior, but avoid products with additives, fragrances, or unknown ingredients because they may leave residue or damage the screen coating. A small amount on a cloth is safer than applying it directly. If you can’t get suitable alcohol quickly, gently washing the exterior with a barely damp cloth and mild soapy water is preferable to immersing the phone again.
Thanks—that makes sense. I’ll keep it powered off, avoid the ports, and use a lightly dampened cloth rather than soaking it again.