Medical Director of Hampstead Aesthetics Clinic and GP Dr ChikeEmeagi has attained and discovered how everyday debit and credit cards can carry bacteria such as salmonella, e.coli and listeria. Although the risk was considered low in general, the germ had potential to remain on various everyday accessories.
Should I clean my bank cards during the pandemic?
During the pandemic there is probably a daily routine of things you as a household are cleaning or you’ve certainly become more aware of. Many of us are probably routinely cleaning items such as mobile phones, door handles and remote controls but have you considered cleaning your debit and credit card during this unprecedented time?
Germs have the ability to hide in the tiniest places and this can also extend to objects which extend to rings, debit cards, credit cards, bank notes, loose change and watches amongst other items. Dr Emeagi commented that contracting Covid-19 from your debit and credit card is low but theoretical.
The reality is that any surface has the potential to be a breeding ground for germs, viruses and bacteria and implementing simple measures during this sensitive time can eliminate any cross-contamination.
Card Payments during Covid-19
Some reading this may be asking why should I bother?Particularly if your debit or credit card doesn’t physically make Chip & PIN payments and you solely opt for contactless only payments, especially given the recent increase of £15 to the new contactless limit of £45, but in the present climate it is important to be proactive and methodical whilst factoring others around you.
How to clean your debit card?
A simple antibacterial wipe should suffice, alternatively if you don’t have them and so few places in the UK are currently stocking them during the current climate here are a couple of options:
You could potentially look at using an antibacterial spray. If you use a liquid cleaner, spray it onto some kitchen towel as opposed to directly spraying it onto your debit card.It is stressed that individuals gently wipe their debit card — there is no need to be aggressive or hard and equally no need to use any abrasive material. Debit cards can cope with a gentle clean, but if you’re aggressive in your approach you risk causing premature wearing whilst permanently damaging the signature strip.
It is important to remember that not all household cleaning products contain virus-killing active ingredients. Some antibacterial products may not be effective against viruses, so we would always recommend purchasing a product that displays something along the following lines ‘Kills 99.9% bacteria and viruses’ on the packaging.
How often should I clean my debit card during Covid-19?
Experts are still not entirely sure don’t how long the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on surfaces so if you are using your card regularly for contactless or Chip & PIN payments clean it after each use during the present climate just to be on the safe side.
In Early March 2020 the World Health Organisation stated that with proper hand cleaning, the risk of being infected with Covid-19 by touching objects, including coins, banknotes or indeed credit cards, was extremely low.
How often should you clean your debit card in a normal situation?
That is entirely down to the card holders’ discretion, but like anything factor in how often an individual uses the debit or credit card and also factor in other scenarios. We would recommend cleaning your debit or credit cards regularly, and even more so after a family member has been poorly to eliminate the spread of germs.
How to keep your card machine clean during Covid-19?
Some credit card payment providers have recently introduced products to eliminate the spread during Covid-19.Theproduct offers a special film on their payment hardware which helps protect the card machine keypad and display navigation from possibility of virus spread. The innovative product is made of alcohol resistant glossy and elastic material with non-marking glue. This allows users of the card machine to clean and eliminates and damage to the hardware itself.
An effective way to reduce the spread of germs as much as possible at the moment is to utilise contactless payments. All credit card machines are legally required to be contactless enabled in the UK and with social distancing now in full effect having contactless enabled payment equipment will also help customers pay for items quickly.