Honest question: When's the last time you gave your computer a wipe-down?(Getty)
When was the last time you gave your computer and keyboard a thorough cleaning? In most cases (and for myself included), it's long overdue. From our phones to our refrigerators, items we use daily become a breeding ground for germs. Computers and accessories like mice and keyboards are no different.
If you work from home and occasionally eat at your desk (guilty, anyone?) everything from crumbs to tiny dust bunnies may be trapped in between your keyboard's keys. And, unless your computer screen is at just the right angle, you may not notice that it's covered in dust and oily fingerprints.
According to several studies compiled by the National Center for Health Research, most people don't know that hot spots, including their desks and keyboards, are actually germier than a toilet seat. (Um, gross.) But it makes sense: Our hands are all over these surfaces. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that hand hygiene is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of germs, but despite that, many of us type away with less-than-squeaky-clean fingers.
With all this in mind, don't worry: We've found the best ways to clean your keyboard, computer screen and mouse to cut down on germs and bacteria. If you're unsure of where to start, we've got you. Below is an expert-approved, step-by-step rundown on how to safely freshen up your tech.
According to experts, you should clean your tech relative to how often you use it. Microbiologists gave a more specific timeline in this 2012 study, advising that everyone should wipe down their desk space, including that all-important screen, at least once a week.
Justin Carpenter, CEO and founder of Modern Maids, told House Digest that "cleaning your computer screen is a necessary step in keeping it looking great and functional." Luckily, according to Carpenter's instructions, doing that is simple — and inexpensive. Here's how to do it in just two easy steps.
Step 1: First, power off and unplug your computer.
Step 2: Dampen a microfiber cleaning cloth with distilled water and gently wipe the screen in a circular motion to remove any dust and grime.
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These microfiber cleaning cloths were specifically made for gently, safely cleaning screens. Since they have no ridges or texture, they won't run the risk of leaving any scratches behind.
"This is a nice cleaning cloth for all computer-type screens and your eyeglasses too," one fan wrote. "If it is a glass surface, this cloth will clean it."
Don't use just any water to clean your tech. Alex Varela, general manager of Dallas Maids of North Dallas, told House Digest that distilled water is the way to go. "It is more than enough to remove mild dust and grime that usually sits on top of screens." Depending on where you live, "tap water can contain minerals in a higher concentration" that can cause small scratches, he said.
You can use this to clean everything from your desktop and laptop computers to your tablet, phone, camera, touch screen, TV and even your car console.
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Safely dig into all the different crevices you'll find in a keyboard with this expansive kit. You can even use it to clean your tablet or AirPods.
"This kit is compact and works well," this shopper said. "In a few minutes, I had the keyboard cleaned up and swabbed between the keys to remove more grime."
Read more: How to clean AirPods without breaking the bank (or your tech), according to pros
Just aim the nozzle in between each key and press the tab at the top. Any debris that has settled inside your keyboard will pop out — oddly satisfying.
"I was a little worried about this product, but my friend reassured me it works," one hesitant shopper explained. "I used this to remove crumbs and dust that were hidden in the crevice between my MacBook's keyboard and screen. The product worked well and is very easy to use!"
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Carpenter also said that you can use an electronics-safe cleaner that's quick drying to clean your screen. This one from Whoosh! was made specifically for electronics and it comes with a reusable microfiber cloth. According to the brand, this is the stuff used at Apple stores to keep their devices in top shape.
Have you ever looked at your keyboard and mouse and thought they didn't need to be sanitized or wiped down because they "looked" clean? Research shows that it's not that simple.
A study in the American Journal of Infection Control found that your tech can still harbor skin-associated bacteria that you can't see. So it's well worth your time to clean your devices as thoroughly as you can. Here's how experts say you should clean your keyboard.
Step 1: Start by unplugging your device (assuming it's not wireless).
Step 2: Next, use a microfiber cloth that's been lightly dampened with distilled water or a cleaner spray to gently wipe away any dust and debris. Remember to only use a lint-free microfiber cloth to wipe away the solution. Don't be tempted to use napkins or paper towels — they can leave behind fibers that, once built up, can stiffen the keys.
Step 3a: Though this step is optional, Varela recommends investing in and using a keyboard cleaning brush kit. The specialized tools will better remove any dust that has settled in between the keys.
Step 3b: Joe Silverman, founder of New York Computer Help, told Women's Health magazine that compressed air is one of the best, most affordable investments for keyboard cleaning, especially if you often eat at your desk. "All those crumbs and meals and snacks usually fall in between the keys," he said. He also added that food particles under and in between keys can eventually lead to mold, so canned air is one of the best ways to make sure nothing is still lurking.
This is where things can get a bit tricky. There are often tiny crevices and corners on computer mice that are practically impossible to reach, but we're not quitters, right? A slightly damp microfiber cloth can help remove dust, residue and fingerprints, but the spinner wheel and click pads usually accumulate the most debris.
To clean these, Varela recommends using an electronic air duster. "An air duster will work just as nicely, especially for the mouse sensor, as it should not be cleaned with any liquids at all," he said. Hot tip: It can also be used to clean your keyboard.
Don't want to spend on another gadget? You can also try using a toothpick covered in a cloth to get rid of any grime along the edges of your mouse, Varela said.
While cleaning the grit and grim from your tech can be so satisfying, it's important not to go overboard. According to Silverman, steer clear of messing with trackpads (the "mouse" attached to your laptop), vents, fans and speakers.
"I've seen customers clean up their trackpads, and then their trackpads don't work," he said. A wipe down with a clean, dry cloth is fine, but if you want to give that part of your laptop a deep clean, it's best to take it to a computer to a professional.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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