How to clean your most touched electronics, and why it should be done regularly

February 12th, 2016

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Being the 21^st Century, the majority of Australian homes will be filled with laptops, smart phones, televisions, desktop computers, headphones, cameras and tablets. Not only do these gadgets keep us entertained on our commute home, or let us watch our favourite soap opera that we know we shouldn’t (but can’t help to because we secretly love the drama!), but these gadgets also make our everyday lives so much easier. And we as humans can’t help but love convenience.

More often than not and as much as we hate to admit it, we tend to find ourselves using our electronics every day, whether it’s for looking up directions, taking a selfie for Instagram, stalking the cute guy at work’s Facebook page, or scrolling through Netflix to find something that will keep the kids entertained so you can finally get a moment of peace.

But how often do we clean these technical devices that we use on most days, if not every day? If your answer is never, you’re definitely not alone!

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Cleaning is a chore that most people despise doing. It’s also not the easiest job if you live in a household that’s constantly go, go, go! And even though you may have a clean home, wash your hands after every bathroom visit, and are the type of person who disinfects the kitchen and toilet regularly, you still may not be as clean as you think. So before we get into the how, we must look at the why.

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Why should we clean our electronics? Ok, the keyboard has collected a bit of dust over time, and my phone’s screen has a few smudge marks, but won’t a quick polish down fix all this?

Yes, a cloth will get rid of the dust and smudge marks, but the trouble with just a wipe down is you’re not killing the germs that have collected over time, and if you’re anything like the majority of humans living in Australia, then you touch your electronics every day without even thinking about washing your hands first or afterwards, thus causing filthy phones, tablets, and keyboards, YIKES!

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Studies have shown that 1 in 6 cell phones have faecal matter on them, and that computer keyboards have up to 7,500 bacteria per swab, which is actually less than a toilet seat, which has only 5,400 per swab! And don’t even get me started on remote controls, computer mouses & tablets!

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Now before you run off to burn all your electronics or drown them in water, there is a much easier, and less expensive way (no need to have them replaced after their waterlogging) of cleaning these filthy gadgets.

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Cleaning your keyboard

 What you’ll need –

• The keyboard or laptop’s user manual
• Compressed air in a can (but if you don’t have any,  a soft bristle make-up brush will also be fine)
• 1 part rubbing alcohol and 1 part filtered water solution (or if you prefer, a simple solution of 1 cup filtered water and a drop of mild dishwashing liquid)
• Q-tips for spot cleaning
• A microfibre cloth for larger areas

How to, desktop keyboard-

• Unplug or switch off the keyboard before starting.
• ALWAYS read the user manual’s recommendation of cleaning first, as the last thing you want is to do something incorrect that will void your warranty.
• Remove dust and debris with the soft bristle brush by lightly brushing the keys and the tiny crevices between the keys.
• If you’ve chosen to use compressed air, use short bursts between the keys, from about 15 centimetres away.
• Dip a Q-tip in your preferred solution, making sure it’s not dripping wet, as of course water and electronics just don’t go together.
• Rub the damp Q-tip gently between each key, and over the more obviously dirty keys. Once the keys have been cleaned, you can now focus on the larger areas.
• Dip or spray a small bit of the microfibre cloth in your solution, making sure to wring out all the excess water. Then gently rub the cloth over the entire keyboard, focussing on the spaces that are keyless.
• Once that’s done you can then use the dry end of your microfibre cloth to give the keyboard one last wipe down.

How to, laptop keyboard –

• Switch off your laptop, and to be extra safe, unplug all the cords.
• ALWAYS read the user manual’s recommendation of cleaning first, as the last thing you want is to do something incorrect that will void your warranty.
• Remove dust and debris with the soft bristle brush by lightly brushing the keyboard and the crevices between the keys.
• If you’ve chosen to use compressed air, use short bursts between the keys, from about 15 centimetres away.
• Because laptop keys are generally flatter and more spaced out than regular desktop keys, you can skip the Q-tip step and move straight in with the microfibre cloth. Dip or spray a small bit of the microfibre cloth in your preferred solution, making sure to wring out all the excess water. Then gently rub the cloth over the entire keyboard.
• Once that’s done you can then use the dry end of your microfiber cloth to give the keyboard one last wipe down.

Tips on how to keep your keyboard clean –

• Refrain from eating above your keyboard. The biggest debris culprit is food crumbs. In fact, don’t even eat at your desk. Take a break in the staff room if you’re at work, or sit at the dining table if you’re at home.
• Don’t use your keyboard if you have sticky or dirty hands. Wash your hands first, or keep a packet of baby wipes at your desk to quickly freshen up your hands.
• It’s also a good idea to keep some hand sanitiser handy to keep away the germs.
• Clean your keyboard at least once every fortnight.

If you have a keyboard that’s super dirty and needs a thorough deep clean, then you may want to follow How-To Geek’s ‘How to Thoroughly Clean Your Keyboard (Without Breaking Anything)’ guide.

And if you prefer an even easier way of cleaning your keyboard, then you might want to check out Cyber clean, the high-tech cleaning compound.

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Cleaning your smartphones & tablets

What you’ll need –

• The smartphone or tablet’s user manual
• A microfibre cloth (preferably not the same one you use on your glasses, as you’ll transfer whatever germs you have on your phone to your face)
• Sticky tape (if you don’t have a microfibre cloth handy)
• Empty spray bottle
• Solution of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part filtered water

How to –

• Switch off your tablet or smartphone completely
• ALWAYS read the user manual’s recommendation of cleaning first, as the last thing you want is to do something incorrect that will ruin your device and/or void your warranty.
• Use the microfibre cloth to buff away any smudges or dust. And if you don’t have one handy, sticky tape works just as well, if not better in some cases.
• Before the next step, make sure you’ve read the user manual, as some devices recommend not using any solutions at all. If this is the case, filtered water alone maybe your option.
• Mix the vinegar and filtered water solution in the empty spray bottle, and lightly spray it onto a small part of the microfiber cloth, making sure to wring out any excess water before using it on your device.
•  Wipe the device down with the damper side of the cloth, and then use the dryer side to buff.

Tips on how to keep your smartphone or tablet clean –  

• Don’t use your device if you have sticky or dirty hands.
• Clean your device at least once a week.
• Keep your device in a case.

For the real germaphobe’s out there, then something like the PhoneSoap 2.0 might tickle your fancy.

Cleaning remote controls & computer mouses

What you’ll need –

• The control or mouse’s user manual
• 1 part rubbing alcohol and 1 part filtered water solution (or if you prefer, a simple solution of 1 cup filtered water and a drop of mild dishwashing liquid)
• Q-tips for spot cleaning
• A microfibre cloth for larger areas
• Optional – Toothpick

How to, remote control –

• Remove the batteries.
• ALWAYS read the user manual’s recommendation of cleaning first, as the last thing you want is to do something incorrect that will ruin your device and/or void your warranty.
• Optional – Use a toothpick to very gently remove any gunk from the buttons or seams.
• Dip the Q-tip in your preferred solution, making sure it’s not dripping wet, and then gently clean the buttons, and the crevices surrounding the buttons.
• Dip a corner of the microfiber cloth in the solution, ensuring any excess water is squeezed out before using it on the remote.
• Wipe down the remainder of the remote with the dampened side of cloth. Don’t forget to wipe down the sides and the back also. And then use the drier side to buff it.

How to, computer mouse –  

• Unplug the mouse and remove any batteries.
• ALWAYS read the user manual’s recommendation of cleaning first, as the last thing you want is to do something incorrect that will ruin your device and/or void your warranty.
• Optional – Use a toothpick to very gently remove any gunk from the seams.
• Dip a corner of the microfibre cloth in the solution, ensuring any excess water is squeezed out before using it on the mouse.
• Wipe down the remainder of the mouse with the dampened side of cloth. Don’t forget to wipe down the sides and the back also. And then use the drier side to buff it.

Tips on how to keep your mouse and remotes clean –

• Don’t use your device if you have sticky or dirty hands.
• Clean your device at least once a week.

Hopefully with these cleaning methods and tips, you can keep the germs and dirt at bay.

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