- Dr. Charles Gerba, microbiologist (AKA Dr. Germ). Are you reading this on your phone right now? However, he did not specify if his device is from PhoneSoap. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. "UV-C light has the shortest spectrum of wavelengths, but is probably the most toxic," Dr. Hollmig says. These are best sellers that meet CDC guidelines, Labor Day sales 2020: Shop the best deals now, Labor Day sales: Grills from Traeger, Weber and more. Consider this gross statistic: A cellphone carries 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, according to a .css-3wjtm9{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#1c6a65;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-3wjtm9:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}study from the University of Arizona. The effectiveness of an UV sanitizer also depends on the dose and duration of the device. With man-made hand sanitizer in short supply, many people are turning to what's been called "nature's hand sanitizer," or ultraviolet light. Many consumer devices also use UV light to disinfect things, such as self-cleaning UV light water bottles and UV-emitting cases that clean your dirty phone. A built-in safety switch automatically turns the lamp off if its been on for too long. Professor Armani also recommends looking at prices, since high-powered UV-C LEDs are expensive, and youll need several for adequate sanitation. This UV lamp stands 18 inches tall and is capable of disinfecting an area up of up to 500 square feet. According to PhoneSoap (opens in new tab): PhoneSoap has been tested and clinically proven to kill 99.99% of Influenza type A, an enveloped virus similar to the coronavirus. Do your research before going to establishments that have installed UV light fixtures. And while the CDC refers to UV sanitizers as an alternative disinfection method, they note that there are a ton of new UV sanitizing devices on the market which the agency has not had time to properly vet and review just yet. Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date. We're here to help you figure it out. In addition to phones, the HoMedics Portable Sanitizer can be used on things like keys, jewelry, glasses, remote controls, a deck of cards, and other small accessories. But as we discovered with UV wands, this approach doesnt yield results unless the object is directly in the light of sight. The PhoneSoap will also work with small wallets and key fobs, but fitting your phone, wallet, and keys inside at the same time is out of the question. However, keeping your phone clean is still a good way to reduce exposure to bacterias that could impact your health and potentially weaken your immune system. PhoneSoap HomeSoap review: The germ killer for most of your electronics Its a Motorola phone youll actually want to buy, possibly without thinking twice. 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As the name indicates, the PhoneSoap is primarily marketed for use with smartphones, but you can certainly use it to sanitize other objectsso long as they fit inside. To effectively kill viruses, UV-C light must be emitted in a range of 200 to 280 nanometers, which has potential for harm. A final reminder from the EPA: Covid-19 refers to a disease, and diseases cannot be killed. Therefore, any claim that a UV sanitizer kills Covid-19 is always considered false and misleading. This is the ThinkPhone by Motorola. But do they work? Home accessories brand, BRIGHTINWD, says this lamp is effective at getting rid of everything from bacteria and mold. Of the three, UV-C has the smallest wavelengths (180-280nm) and is the one required for UV disinfection. Using UV light to kill coronavirus: The benefits and risks Think of it like a pint-sized tanning bed for your phone. While the effectiveness of environmental UV sterilization on surfaces such as floors has been confirmed, however, further research is needed about the safety of indoor UV light fixtures, as well as its efficacy at sterilizing clothes and human skin. PhoneSoap Pro review: What I like PhoneSoap Pro is available in two colorways: Charcoal and White. Apparently its OK to use Clorox disinfecting wipes and 70% isopropyl alcohol on Apple devices. Its not that the ThinkPhone is only available in China, or that its a super limited edition, or that it costs the same as a rather nice house. But to increase its usefulness, the case also allows you to plug in a phone charger to charge your phone while sanitizing, and it will continue to charge even after the 10 minutes are up. According to Otterbox, PhoneSoap3 UV sanitizer kills 99.99 percent of germs such as E. Coli, Salmonella, Staph, MRSA, the flu and common cold within 10 minutes. We welcome your feedback. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. $119.95 from. UV light sanitizers are popping up as the answer to killing coronavirus on our hands and phones, but consumer devices may have more risks than they're worth. Andrea Armani(Opens in a new window), a professor of engineering at the Armani Lab at the University of Southern California, worked with a team of researchers and published"Build-at-home UV-C disinfection for healthcare settings(Opens in a new window)"early in 2020. But the ease of the PhoneSoap by my nightstand reminds me to clean my phone every day and does the dirty work for me. The efficacy of a good face mask has been well-proven to help prevent the spread of the Covid, but as cases continue to persist across the country (not to mention RSV and flu-like symptoms), people are looking for other methods to help contain the virus. Tierno added UV-C light won't be able to get into the "nooks and crannies" of phone cases and buttons, however, noting that, despite that, "these (devices) kill microbes quickly.". Barnes said interest in PhoneSoap's disinfecting devices has soared amid the COVID-19 pandemic and elevated concerns about disinfecting the things people come in contact with on a regular basis. Its open design means it has a 360-degree range; there are no dead zones here. UV-C light is germicidal, meaning it breaks down the DNA of nasty bacteria so it can no longer function or reproduce. The 10 Best UV Sanitizers in 2021 - UV Sanitizer Devices Right now, this means the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The WHO echoes this, reporting on its coronavirus myth-busters webpage that people should not use UV lamps to disinfect their hands or other areas of skin, as UV radiation "can cause skin irritation and damage your eyes.". Especially for healthcare and other essential workers, its especially convenient to keep a PhoneSoap in a place near the front door to sanitize your phone, wallet, and/or keys once you come home. Want to keep your phone sanitized and charged while enjoying a socially-distant picnic, barbeque or reading a popular book while drinking a protein smoothie or sipping a tropical-inspired rum cocktail? We operate independently from our advertising team. Its still just as greasy and smudgy coming out as it was when it went in. Disinfection, on the other hand, eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores, on inanimate objects, per the CDC(Opens in a new window). The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine reported that ultraviolet light probably can kill the coronavirus. Easy setup. Amest Adalja, MD(Opens in a new window), a senior scholar and assistant professor at the John Hopkins University Center for Health Security, is skeptical about the efficacy of consumer UV sanitizers. Protect Yourself & Your Family With This Phone Sanitizer. All rights reserved. If you're using a UV sanitizer with a lid, it's important to clean both the smartphone case and the outside of the sanitizer itself with an EPA-approved disinfectant such asLysol. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. PhoneSoap Phone Sanitizer Review - Does It Actually Work? smartwatch, AirPods, MetroCard, credit cards, and pretty much any other small items that will fit in the chamber). Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. 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I also use the PhoneSoap to sanitize my wallet, keys, AirPods, and any other small items I touch multiple times in a day. PhoneSoap has been in the UV sanitizer business for years and is one of the only companies to offerextensive lab-testing(Opens in a new window) results. It works because UV-C light is strong enough to destroy the genetic material -- either DNA or RNA -- of viruses and bacteria. Pick up the HomeSoap, which has enough space to disinfect everything from your remote controls to gaming consoles to a full-sized tablet. From shoe covers to HEPA air purifiers, the rise of protective gear and equipment has been well-documented. "This light has a range of effectiveness, which interferes and destroys the nucleic acids of bacteria and other microbes," he previously told NBC News Shopping for our guide to Ultraviolet (UV) light sanitizers. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. According to the FDA, a strong source of UV light could help reduce harmful germs and bacteria on surfaces (think everything from furniture to bedding) and help disinfect high-touch items, like your cell phone, wallet and keys. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended.