X marks the spot: Wigan man's unique new formula keeps electronics Covid-free without damaging surfaces

By now we’re all aware of the importance of keeping our hands and face clean, but a Wiganer’s unique new disinfectant is giving Covid the boot from handheld devices which can aid the spread of the virus.

Formula X has been developed by Shevington resident Mike Fahey. The liquid substance is designed to disinfect devices such as phones, keyboards and tablets of Covid-19 and other bacteria, without ruining the surfaces in the way that traditional antibacterial sprays or gels do.

It can also be used to keep your hands clean in the manner of sanitising hand gels, though it requires a much smaller amount to kill germs.

The product has been safety tested and approved for sale by the local authority, and Mike, who fought cancer three years ago, has pledged to donate the net proceeds from sales of Formula X to cancer charity Macmillan.

“When Covid came along, nobody was mentioning the transmission being passed via mobile phones and other devices that people touch and put down on surfaces. People put them down, wash their hands and pick them back up again,” said Mike.

“So it was at the front of my mind, thinking that we’re all washing our hands but we’re not getting to the root of the problem, which is sanitising our arena, so to speak.

“I got involved with a couple of other chaps and we’ve developed this formula that comes in a very handy, pocket-sized bottle so it can be kept on you at all times. It’s the only one that we know of that contains the ingredients we’ve put together. It doesn’t affect the workings of the electrical equipment, because it’s not a water based product.

“We finished it about a month ago, completed all the trials and have brought it to market.

“The product itself is fantastic. It’s very handy to have on you. People are using on their spectacles, on their car steering wheels, it’s great for anything. It works on any surface. It’s been met with a hugely positive reception.”

Mike added: “A hand sanitiser is absolutely fine for your hands but you can’t go rubbing it all over surfaces, particularly mobile phones. They have absorbent materials and are not silicone-sealed.

“It contains ingredients which mean it doesn’t affect any conduits in the electrical parts of the phone. It dries out very quickly and is resistant to the electrics, and that’s why it works so well.

“It’s never been done, purely for the cost element, but it’s just a common sense idea. We engineered it with the view of using it for mobile phones, but every man and his dog have been using it on things like knives and forks, shopping trolleys, steering wheels, car keys, an absolute multitude of things.

“The average mobile phone contains more harmful bacteria than a bathroom. The bacteria on these devices is incredible.”

Mike added: “It irritates me when I see the millions of pounds that the Government are spending on these three word campaigns (Hands, Face, Space).

“Not once have they ever mentioned cleaning your environment. They’ve never once pushed people to make sure their homes are regularly cleaned. It’s basic human knowledge.”

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