10 common mistakes that shorten the life of electronic devices

The longevity of your phone or computer depends not only on the brand, but also on how you take care of them. Charging too long, cleaning the wrong way, downloading junk apps… all can cause a newer device to fail in a short time.

Here are the mistakes when using electronic devices you need to avoid:

1. Use a metal object to clean the charging port

Metal objects like pins, knives, or paper clips can scratch the phone's charging port and cause more serious problems. You should use a toothpick small enough to fit into the charging port and clean its edges, or an air compressor to blow away dust. Note that you must not blow in with your mouth because the water particles in your breath will stay inside the phone charging port, causing damage.

2. Expose your phone to the sun

Many people charge while placing their phones by the window. However, exposure to the sun can slow down the battery's charging process. Not only that, the screen absorbs heat very quickly, so it can cause unintended flickering. In the worst case scenario, your phone will overheat and power off automatically.

3. Let the battery down to 0% and then charge it

The best percentage of battery life is between 20% - 80%. You shouldn't let your phone drop to 0% and then charge it, as fully charging your phone to more than 80% can put pressure on the battery. Ideally, you would charge the phone to 50%, so that half of the lithium ions would be in the cobalt lithium oxide layer and the other half in the graphite layer. However, this may not be realistic for many people so keep the cap at 80%.

4. Phones that are water resistant should not be put in water often

Many manufacturers advertise that their phones are water resistant. However, if you just accidentally dropped your phone in a puddle or got wet in the rain, that's okay. But if you intentionally submerge the phone in water for more than 5-30 minutes, they will not be durable. Exposure to moisture can cause hardware damage to your phone, which will cost you a lot of money to repair.

5. Download apps from unverified stores

There are many people who like to download applications from unknown stores to use for free without knowing that they are bringing malware into their devices. That's why you should only get official, rated and highly rated apps. Also, you should turn on your anti-virus program to quickly detect suspicious software infiltrating your phone.

6. Do not clean the computer keyboard

Whether you're using a laptop or a desktop computer, dust, hair, and debris get stuck in their keyboards over time. Dirt not only makes the computer look bad on the outside, but also penetrates inside and affects the functions of the machine. The advice for you is to clean the computer and the surrounding area regularly.

7. Bring electronic devices into the restroom, bathroom

The habit of bringing your phone to the bathroom harms both you and your phone. When standing up, you may lose your hand causing the device to fall into the water. If you just charge and shower, just a small mistake will also cause the phone and the charging cord to fall into the bath, causing deadly electric shock. The humid environment in the toilet also creates conditions for bacteria to grow, which will accumulate on your phone.

8. Charge your phone overnight

Cell phone manufacturers (like Apple) insist that overnight charging is harmful. Our phone will stop charging when it reaches 100%. When it reaches 99%, it will need to double the effort to recharge. Most manufacturers say that phones that charge to 80% are best.

9. Lift the laptop by the screen

Putting too much force on the computer hinge will cause the hinge to break and the screen to be damaged. The best way to lift a laptop is to use both hands, hold it on either side of the body, and then place it on a flat surface. Note that frequently placing the machine on uneven surfaces can cause it to warp.

10. Use household cleaning products to clean the screen 

The chemicals in cleaning products, especially ammonia, are too strong for computer monitors. You also should not use tissue to wipe because they will scratch the screen. To be on the safest side, you'll need to purchase a screen-specific cleaner. If you want more convenience, use water to soak the microfiber cloth. Note that you only rub gently on the screen, do not press hard or it will cause dead spots.