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Antibacterial phone case

A

aldo82

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 8, 2011
676
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I saw someone asked about this in a different thread and I think it deserves its own thread. Depending where you are in the world right now this may seem a bit over the top but for those areas really struggling with Coronavirus, every measure to avoid spread of the virus should be taken. I personally have started to wonder about my phone and phone case and my wife, who is a doctor, has the same concerns too.

I have stoped using the Apple leather case for this reason and now am using a spigen plastic case instead but I don’t actually know if it is better. Does any know and can genuinely advise the best type of phone case to use right now? I know that the Tech21 studio colour actually advertises itself as antibacterial but I did buy that case a month or so back (for different reasons) and wasnt the biggest fan. I am considering re-buying it though.

Be interested in people’s thoughts.
 
I am no scientist, but not sure any case is going to be any better than the next one without frequent cleaning. Antibacterial cases seem irrelevant, since COVID 19 is a virus, not bacteria. But again, I am no scientist; i just know that all the “experts” are saying don’t worry about trying to find anti-bacterial soap, as any soap will break down the walls of the virus if used for 20 seconds. Again because COVID is a virus, not bacteria.
 
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Just wash your hands regularly beside, is antibacterial also antiviral? Probably not, viruses especially the coronavirus appears to be quite resilient.
 
I use my tech1 studio color as my daily case. I do not believe the "anti-bacterial" properties are helping in any discernible way. I just like the case
 
Tdosthp said:
I am no scientist, but not sure any case is going to be any better than the next one without frequent cleaning. Antibacterial cases seem irrelevant, since COVID 19 is a virus, not bacteria. But again, I am no scientist; i just know that all the “experts” are saying don’t worry about trying to find anti-bacterial soap, as any soap will break down the walls of the virus if used for 20 seconds. Again because COVID is a virus, not bacteria.
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interesting comments thanks
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AE14 said:
I use my tech1 studio color as my daily case. I do not believe the "anti-bacterial" properties are helping in any discernible way. I just like the case
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other than the colourr do you find it a decent case?
 
aldo82 said:
I saw someone asked about this in a different thread and I think it deserves its own thread. Depending where you are in the world right now this may seem a bit over the top but for those areas really struggling with Coronavirus, every measure to avoid spread of the virus should be taken. I personally have started to wonder about my phone and phone case and my wife, who is a doctor, has the same concerns too.

I have stoped using the Apple leather case for this reason and now am using a spigen plastic case instead but I don’t actually know if it is better. Does any know and can genuinely advise the best type of phone case to use right now? I know that the Tech21 studio colour actually advertises itself as antibacterial but I did buy that case a month or so back (for different reasons) and wasnt the biggest fan. I am considering re-buying it though.

Be interested in people’s thoughts.
Click to expand...
If you go to the Microban (the company that supplies the technology for most of the "antimicrobial" cases) website, they explicitly state: "Our built-in antimicrobial technologies are effective against a plethora of product damaging microbes, but are not currently proven to have any antiviral properties when built-into products."
www.microban.com

Build Antiviral Protection Into Your Products With Microban

Microban is pleased to announce a range of new antiviral technologies that are proven to reduce viral loading on products and surfaces. Contact us today to learn more.
www.microban.com www.microban.com

Your best bet is to use a non-porous case and clean it and your phone with disinfecting wipes. Apple says:
Is it OK to use a disinfectant on my Apple product?
Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don't use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don't submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don't use on fabric or leather surfaces.
Click to expand...
,
 
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If you clean the case and phone frequently it shouldn’t matter. It is easier to clean a phone without a case and there are fewer places for crud to hide.
 
Although I do not believe too much into the effectiveness of the antibacterial, I am currently using the Speck Presidio Pro for my 11 Max and love it. For someone who has always used the Apple Leather I do not find it bulky at all and adds the extra protection along the bottom of the phone. Its a nice material (almost like the Apple Silicone feel).
 
The defender pro also has anti microbial properties fused into the outer rubber shell. I’m not sure how well it protects against viruses though and it’s a tank of a case.
 
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trillionaire said:
Copper has natural antimicrobial properties. I am assuming it doesn't kill the coronavirus but the virus won't last as long on this material as plastic.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial_properties_of_copper
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Interesting. I don't know how practical copper iPhone cases are, but a March 17 letter to the New England Journal of Medicine says CV19 virus only survives four hours on copper but up to three days on plastic and stainless steel.

A letter to the journal clearly isn't as reliable as a peer-reviewed study, but the NEJM doesn't publish junk.
 
Every time I come home, I wiped down my phones with Lysol wipes.
Doesn't leave much of a residue, just have to let it dry on it's own though....
 
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