3 Tech Gadgets You Are Not Cleaning Properly – Here’s How

Most of us rarely go an entire day without using some form of technology. With the stroke of a few keys, the power of information and communication is literally only a finger tap away. But how many times a day do your hands and fingers touch your smartphone, remote control, keyboard, or tablet? What about the AirPods that go in and out of your ear each day? Do you clean these items multiple times throughout the week? When was the last time you disinfected your most frequently used technology interfaces? If you could view your gadgets under a microscope, you would probably be astonished at how many germs collect on these devices throughout the day.

According to State Food Safety, our cell phones are actually dirtier and have more bacteria than a toilet seat! None of us would ever rest our hands or face on a toilet seat. Yet, we are actually exposing ourselves to something far worse when we do not clean our cell phones and other tech devices on a regular basis. Continue reading as I share a few simple ways to properly clean popular technology devices, that is within CDC guidelines:

OPTION 1 – Cleaning Your Smart Phone & Tablet :

1. Unplug your phone or tablet, turn it off, and remove the case.
2. Find a soft, lint-free fabric like a microfiber cloth and dampen this with water and hand soap. Do not use an abrasive towel such as a paper towel.
3. Gently rub the surface of the device with the microfiber cloth. Be sure to avoid letting liquid or moisture seep into into any openings on the phone, even if it is water resistant.
4. Dry your phone or tablet with a dry microfiber cloth.

*NOTE: Do not use harsh chemicals such bleach, aerosol sprays, or rubbing alcohol on your phone/tablet.

OPTION 2 – Cleaning Your Smart Phone & Tablet – Per Apple

With the recent outbreak of COVID-19, Apple has actually changed their stance on how their products should be cleaned. Apple has now approved the use of disinfecting wipes (Clorox wipes for example) to be used to disinfect their products, while following the guidelines above.

Cleaning Your Keyboard:

If available, always refer to the manufacturer’s guide to cleaning your keyboard. If this is not available, here is a simple solution you can use:

1. Turn off and/or unplug your keyboard.
2. Tilt your keyboard, and using an old toothbrush, rub in-between your keys to remove any hair, crumbs, or dust.
3. In a spray bottle, combine 30% water and 70% isopropyl alcohol. Find a soft, lint-free fabric like a microfiber cloth and spray this cloth with this mixture. Wipe down your keys gently in a circular motion to remove viruses and bacteria.
4. If you still notice residue on the side of your keys, take a cotton swab and spray it with your 30/70 alcohol mixture. Rub this against any hard to reach places.

Another Keyboard Cleaning Hack:

If after disinfecting your keyboard, you still notice crumbs, hair, dust or other hard to reach particles, take a sticky note, and using the tacky side of the paper, stick this in-between the cracks of your keyboard to pick up any remaining items!

Cleaning Your AirPods:

1. Find a soft, lint-free fabric like a microfiber cloth and dampen this with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
2. Wipe the exterior of your AirPod case with the dampened microfiber cloth.
3. To clean the interior holes & earbuds of your AirPod case, lightly dip or spray a cotton swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol and clean the interior holes this way as well. If you have earwax that is hard to remove from the earbuds, simply grab a toothpick to remove any remaining wax.

NOTE: Be sure to review Apple’s recommendations as well for cleaning and caring for your AirPods.