8:21 PM
antimicrobial
When we talk about the prevention of spreading germs, there
are a few things that immediately come to mind — washing your hands,
disinfecting common surfaces and practicing social distancing whenever
possible. But there are a few everyday items that may not be top of mind when
we consider what we should regularly clean, including what’s in our wallets.
Every time we buy groceries, grab takeout or make any other
purchase, we’ll more than likely touch our credit card to do so. Whether you’re
tapping to pay, swiping your card or inserting the chip, that means your card
is touching where hundreds or even thousands of cards have also touched
recently.
How coronavirus
spreads
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), coronavirus
is a respiratory virus that primarily spreads through droplets of saliva and
mucus, which can be generated and spread when we sneeze, cough or even breathe
and talk. It causes the disease COVID-19.
But that doesn’t mean you have to be sneezed on to contract
the virus. You can get these micro-droplets on your hands by touching surfaces
an infected person has recently touched and then touching your face.
Considering there are studies that say the average person touches their face 23
times an hour, consistently washing your hands and limiting the possibility of
coming into contact with the virus at all is important.
If you’re using your credit card when you do have to go out
for essentials like groceries, that’s another potential touchpoint.
A 2018 study by CreditCards.com and the University of Texas
at Austin did find that while credit cards were host to a lot of bacteria and
other potentially harmful microbes, they were unlikely to get a normal person
sick. However, with research suggesting that the coronavirus can remain
infectious on inanimate surfaces, such as a credit card, for up to nine days,
it’s not a bad idea to add your credit cards and wallet to your list of things
to disinfect.
How to clean
your credit cards
Fortunately, disinfecting your credit cards isn’t a
complicated process and you can do with household items.
The easiest way to clean your cards is by using the same technique
you use for your hands: soap and warm water. Like washing your hands, you
should lightly rub for at least 20 seconds. You can sing “Happy Birthday” twice
through, or get more creative — Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” has a chorus that lasts
20 seconds, as does Beyonce’s “Love on Top.” I’m a fan of using the chorus to
the song “My Shot” from Hamilton.
You can also use one of the EPA-approved disinfectants to use
against COVID-19, which includes many household wipes and sprays such as
Clorox. For the tech lover, you can also use a UV sterilizer, since UV rays
kill viruses and bacteria.
Keep in mind that your signature may wash off the card when
you use soap or a disinfectant. You can always resign the card if this happens,
or simply avoid the signature box when wiping down the card.
Will
disinfectants hurt my credit card?
Short answer? No.
Credit cards, both plastic and metal, are made to be
waterproof. Your card should also be able to withstand products such as bleach,
vinegar or alcohol. I don’t recommend soaking your cards in any corrosive
liquids, but a quick wipe-down with a Clorox wipe or a 20-second wash with some
soap and water won’t render them useless.
Keeping your cards clean could help them stand the test of
time. Dirt and grime can build up on your cards, which can scrape at EMV chips
and magnetic strips. It’s not a good idea to scrub your cards with an abrasive
of any kind, but a gentle cleaning can help keep dirt from building up while
killing COVID-19 germs — two birds, one Clorox wipe.
Tips for using
card readers and pin pads
Another potentially germy area is the card reader and pin pad
that you use to make payments at stores. In the U.S., chip-and-signature is the
most common authorization method for payments. This means that even if you have
a contactless card, you might be required to use a stylus, your finger or a pen
to sign your signature. Those surfaces have been touched by anyone who came
before you.
There’s no need to go out and buy medical gloves for your
grocery shopping excursions. You should leave the medical equipment such as
gloves to the doctors, nurses and other “front lines” workers who are highly
at-risk.
The best thing you can do is immediately disinfect your hands
after you pay, and avoid touching your face (which is a best practice you
should be following anyway).
Bottom line
For most people, your credit cards don’t pose too much of a
threat. However, as COVID-19 continues to spread in communities throughout the
U.S., it’s understandable to want to ensure you’re limiting exposure to the
virus as much as possible — including by cleaning your credit cards.
Luckily, disinfecting your cards isn’t a complicated process.
Good ole’ soap and water will do the job just fine, or you can use a
disinfectant to gently wipe down your cards after you use them.
But remember, the best thing we can all do to stop the spread
of this virus is to follow CDC and WHO recommendations, including practicing
social distancing, regularly washing your hands (for at least 20 seconds) and
avoiding touching your face.
Madison
Blancaflor is a full-time contributor for TPG, covering all things credit
cards.
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/how-to-clean-your-credit-cards/
