By Zoë Wright, March 5, 2020, 1 PM EST

As Winter winds down, we may think we’re safe from catching any germs for another year, but this isn’t exactly true. Contagions that cause illnesses, from the common cold to the flu, can survive on surfaces for longer than we like to imagine, and can be caught at any time, even in the heat of summer.

Those surfaces include your keyboard and mouse, which can have more bacteria on them than a toilet seat! Ew, right?! But don’t freak out just yet, we have some simple do’s and don’ts for you to follow to really get your work-station clean. These are good to follow on a regular basis, regardless of the season or what illness has made the headlines.

So, without further ado, here are some Do’s and Don’ts of tech space cleanliness!

Do:

  • Turn your devices off and unplug them from their power source (or, turn off and/or remove the battery from wireless devices like keyboards and mice) before you begin cleaning.
    If you are doing a deep clean of your devices – which we suggest doing at least once a month – you really should disconnect devices and/or remove the batteries. If this is a simple daily or even weekly wipe-down, it’s not entirely necessary, as long as you are careful to not get any liquid in any device openings. The decision is really up to you, but we always recommend erring on the side of caution and disconnecting devices/removing batteries, which lowers the risk of device malfunction, every time you clean. To properly do this, always make sure your devices are turned off before disconnecting and removing batteries. 
  • Follow this cleaning sequence: loosen and remove debris from keyboard and mice crevices; use disinfectant wipes to clean the desired area; follow with a lightly damp, soft, microfiber cloth; finish with a dry, soft, microfiber cloth.
    Loosen and remove debris from your keyboard and mouse by turning them upside down and gently shaking them. This will help remove larger debris that may have gotten in your devices from doing things like eating at your desk (we all do it, no judging). You may find it helpful to also scroll your mouse’s scroll wheel while you hold it upside down, if there is anything lodged in there. Sit your devices back down and remove smaller debris by using sticky keyboard putty, some tape slipped between crevices, or some compressed air. When you’re ready for the wipes, make sure they are not too damp by ringing out any excess liquid. The last two steps are truly suggestions; you can stop after just the wipe, making sure to allow proper time for your devices to dry (which is why we recommend doing your cleaning at the end of the day – simply leave items to dry overnight and reconnect them the next morning). We do, of course, recommend the last two steps for optimum cleaning, though.
  • Use non-bleach wipes to clean your gear on a regular basis.We suggest using Lysol or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes at the end of each work week, at minimum – a light cleaning every day is perfectly safe, though, if you are prone to catching illnesses, or you’re in the height of flu season. Please Note: Wipes should always be bleach-free, and you should avoid using disinfecting sprays, as some of the liquid may not be wiped up and could cause your gear to malfunction – even a little dampness can do this, which is why it’s important to make sure everything is completely dry before you power your devices back on. Bleach can ruin your devices finish.

     

  • For simple everyday cleaning, follow these guidelines to increase your work-station’s cleanliness:
    • Wash your hands regularly – this means every time you use the restroom, eat or touch food - especially raw food, touch public surfaces like doors and office kitchen counters or cabinets, and come in contact with another person or their items – especially if they or someone they are close to are sick.
    • Keep hand-sanitizer at your desk for those times when it would be rude to excuse yourself from a conversation, just to wash your hands – or when you just feel like you need that extra clean boost and don’t want to get up.
    • Keep tissues at your desk, especially when you are sick, and dispose of them properly – don’t hold onto them or sit them on your desk to be used again. If you’re into less waste, use a handkerchief or cloth, but always make sure to put it back in your pocket instead of setting it on surfaces. And, regardless of your preferred snot-absorber, use some hand-sanitizer after each nose encounter.
    • Try not to eat at your desk, whenever possible. This is a good rule of thumb, not only because it will lower the debris that gets into your devices, but also because it’s just plain healthy for us to have some new scenery throughout the day. No one wants to stare at their computer all day.
    • Pick up your trash and get it out of your station every day before you leave. This one isn’t really about germs, we just think it’s gross. You’ll be happier to come into a clean workspace, anyways.
    • Finally, quickly and gently wipe off your devices with a ringed-out disinfectant wipe at the end of each day, again avoiding any device openings. You can also use these on your screens, or lightly spray a cloth with glass cleaner for a guaranteed streak-free clean.

Don’t:

  • Use bleach disinfectant wipes or any disinfectant sprays, even if they are bleach-free
  • Use any wipe or cloth that is overly damp
  • Allow liquid from wipes or cloths to sit or pool in any area for long periods of time
  • Use rough towels or cloths to dry your devices
  • Use excess force to disinfect the keyboard – you could damage the keys
  • Take your keyboard or device apart to clean it, as you may ruin your device and your warranty
  • Submerge any device under water or put them in the dishwasher to clean them; this will likely cause them to short-circuit

The best part of all of this is that these are easy and quick steps to follow that will help keep you healthy. Even if you do every step listed for a deep clean, it will only take you about 10 minutes. A simple daily wipe-down will take about 2. There’s no reason not to follow them, right? We thought so!

As always, we’re wishing you a great – and healthy – day!

The WCI Team

Sources:

www.cnet.com/news/dos-and-donts-for-disinfecting-your-devices/

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-keyboard-and-mouse/