People should treat their phones and watches as an "extension of their hand" in order to stop the spread of coronavirus, an expert has warned.
Scientists now believe that the virus can live on stainless steel surfaces for up to three days.
Professor Nigel McMillan, from Griffith University, said smart watches - which people often wear as they exercise, could be particularly dangerous.
He said people risk "re-infecting" themselves even if they wash their hands.
He told Mail Online: "Often, people remember to wash their hands, but they don't give their smartwatches in particular the same level of attention - tapping them to make payments, open notifications and check step counts."
Devices covered in moisture can be particularly bad, he said, making smart watches worn during exercise potentially deadly if there are Covid-19 particles on the surface.
Prof McMillan said: "Every microorganism can live on your watch, whether it's smart or not.
"Covid-19 can live on any surface and the more moist it is, the longer it will live there."
People are urged to regularly clean these devices to minimise risk.
It follows a recent experiment by ComparemyMobile - which discovered watches often carry the most bacteria.
Phones, keyboards and video game controllers can also help spread viruses, however.
Last month Mirror Online reported that research by Pall Mall Medical has shown that Brits are up to four times more likely to catch flu from using an iPhone than from sitting in the same room as someone who is infected with the virus.
Dr Shikha Pitalia, director at Pall Mall Medical said: “The average Brit checks their phone every 12 minutes when they’re awake and coupling this with poor hand hygiene and a dirty smartphone screen creates the perfect storm for many of us to pick up the flu this winter.
“Flu can be a serious condition, particularly for children, pregnant women and the elderly and we should all be taking simple yet effective steps in order to minimise the risk of us contracting or spreading the virus.”
Here are our top tips for keeping your smartphone clean amid the coronavirus outbreak.
1. Invest in a microfibre cloth
Regularly wiping your smartphone with a microfibre cloth can be an easy and inexpensive way to keep your screen clean.
2. Make your own cleaning solution
If you don’t fancy splashing out on a cleaning solution, you can create your own version.
Simply mix together a solution of 60% water and 40% rubbing alcohol, and apply to a cloth before wiping the screen.
3. Use disinfectant wipes
If you have disinfectant wipes to hand, you can use them on the rear of the smartphone and even the case.
Try to avoid using these wipes on the screen if possible.
4. Regularly wash your hands
It might sound obvious, but regularly washing your hands can help to keep your smartphone clean.
Doctors advise that you wash them with hot water and soap for as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday through twice.
If you’re on the go, hand sanitiser can be a good temporary measure.
