How and how often to clean computers, laptops, tablets...

If there's one thing we touch almost as much as our phones, it's our keyboards, mice, tablets, and chargers. The only difference is that we clean them much less often - even though they collect everything: dust, hand grease, food crumbs, and bacteria.

Particularly problematic are:

• keyboard (between keys)
• mouse and touchpad
• the edges of the screen that we constantly touch
• cables and charger heads that we throw into bags and sockets

Why is it important to clean these devices?

Without dramatizing, but realistically:

• hands constantly cross keyboard - face - food
• devices are often used by multiple people
• Laptops and tablets are on tables, in laps, in bags
• Chargers are rarely washed, but they are constantly in the hands

In other words: if we clean our hands, it makes sense to also clean what we constantly touch with our hands.

How often to clean

Simple rule:

• keyboard, mouse, touchpad – 2 to 3 times a week
• screens (laptop, tablet) – 1 to 2 times a week
• chargers and cables – once a week

Immediately if:

• you eat at the computer
• someone else is using your device
• you have a cold or are sick

What to clean with and what you really need

Nothing special:

• soft cloth (microfiber or regular clean cloth)
• wet disinfectant wipes (those from the supermarket or pharmacy, for hands or surfaces)
• if you don't have tissues: a little hand sanitizer on a cloth

What to avoid

• glass cleaners
• bleach
• strong kitchen utensils
• paper towels (scratch screens)

How to clean a laptop and computer

Keyboard

• turn off the laptop/computer
• Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it gently.
• wipe with a dry cloth
• then with a slightly damp disinfectant wipe
• not to press
• do not soak
• only superficial
• Don't push anything between the keys.

Mouse and touchpad

• Wipe with the same tissue
• Especially the edges and bottom of the mouse

How to clean screens (laptop, tablet, iPad)

Correctly:

• turn off the device
• remove dust with a dry soft cloth
• if necessary: ​​wipe once with a slightly damp cloth, without pressing
• leave to dry
• never spray directly on the screen

How to clean chargers and cables

Chargers are often forgotten, yet they are always in your hands.

• remove the charger from the socket
• Wipe: cable, charger head, part that goes into phone/laptop

Use:

• wet disinfectant wipe
• leave it to dry for a few minutes
• only then put it back in the socket
• Never clean the charger while it is switched on.

Most common mistakes

• cleaning the device while it is turned on
• too much liquid
• use of aggressive agents
• forgetting cables and chargers