How to Clean Shared Office Phones

Office phones are quickly becoming a thing of the past…but not yet!

Even though cell phones and digital calling devices are more common these days, shared office phones are still in use today. They’re most common in healthcare facilities, doctor’s offices, schools, and other governmental buildings.

This means several hands (and faces) come into contact with the phone on a daily basis, requiring daily cleanings to ensure germs, bacteria, and viruses aren’t shared, too.

So, here’s how to properly clean and sanitize shared office phones:

But before you jump into cleaning, it’s important to note that phones should never be sprayed directly with cleaner. Direct spray can damage the office phone. So please, avoid doing this.

Here’s how to properly clean and sanitize shared office phones:

1. Unplug the phone from the wall - this is another critical safety step!

2. You have two options — all-purpose spray or a disinfecting wipe.

   • If you’re using an all-purpose spray, lightly spritz a clean microfiber cloth and wipe the phone down.

   • If you’re using a disinfecting wipe, wring it out to just damp, then wipe the phone down.

3. As you clean the phone, be sure to wipe down the buttons or keypad, the handset, display screen for caller ID, and the cords.

4. Let dry completely before plugging the office phone back up into the wall.

That’s it! It’s really that simple.

We recommend wiping down all shared office phones at least once a week, if not more frequently. This is especially important during flu season, when viruses are at an all-time high.

Happy cleaning, y’all!