Tech Eco-Clean 101

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Think your computer keyboard is clean? Think again. Studies show that computer keyboards, especially those shared by numerous individuals, can be host to a wide variety of bacteria, including E. coli and staph. Your cellphone? With each square inch of your cellphone containing 25,000 germs, Mashable found that your cell phone is actually dirtier than a toilet seat, kitchen counter, pet food dish, checkout screen and a doorknob.

Even if you have a cleaning service (like us!) that makes sure your space stays clean and healthy, we recommend doing a regular clean of your tech products as well. Here are the 3 products you need on hand when cleaning your tech gadgets and electronics:

Microfiber Cloths
Microfiber cloths are lint-free and non-abrasive, making them the ideal choice for dusting off technology screens and keyboards. They also remove bacteria from surfaces without the use of chemicals.

Isopropyl Alcohol
You can make an easy, effective and eco-friendly cleaner mixing a 50/50 combination of alcohol and distilled water in a spray bottle. This solution is great for removing smudges on screens and can also be used to wipe down your keyboard, mouse and tablet. Note: Great advice from Apartment Therapy: Use a vinegar/water mixture for cleaning the surfaces of plastic cased electronics to avoid “yellowing” of plastic surfaces.

Cotton Swabs
Cotton swabs are a great way to get in between keys on your keyboard as well as to clean crevices between your cellphone and its case. You can also dip the swab into your alcohol/distilled water solution to clean earwax build up off of your headphones. Look for swabs that have cardboard spindles instead of plastic (the Q-Tip brand itself uses cardboard) for the most eco-friendly option.

We want to leave you with a few “Don’ts” when cleaning your tech gadgets and electronics.
Don’t…
• Leave electronics on while cleaning—be sure to turn off computers and TVs prior to wiping them down.
• Use tap water for it may contain minerals or chemicals. Always use distilled water.
• Use paper towels to wipe your screens—they are too abrasive and can leave scratches or nicks.
• Spray your cleaning solution directly on your electronic device—spray it on your cloth.
• Forget to recycle properly. Electronics in landfills are dangerous, so if you do need to get rid of products that are broken or outdated, search online for places that accept used electronics.

You tell us: What tips do you have for keeping your technology clean in between cleaning services?

 

 
image courtesy of Zero Chen/BY CC 2.0