Over the period of this pandemic, many of us have become much more aware of germs & the spread of them. The CDC recommends washing our hands regularly, along with wiping down high traffic surfaces. However, something we might not think about is how often we touch our phone screens, tablets, and computers.

We want to disinfect electronics in order to avoid the spread of germs whenever possible, but it’s important to do it the right way. Some cleaning products can be corrosive to technology, so the question is what do I want to use in order to protect my devices as well as my health.

 

Phones

We are constantly touching our phone screens throughout the day. It’s important we maintain them. However, many phones and tablets have a layer of finger-resistant coating that could come off if you’re using too harsh of chemicals. It’s best to use a microfiber wipe and neutral cleaner then wipe it down with a dry cloth.

Speakers

If not done professionally, cleaning your phone speakers and charging port can leave damage or cause your phone to stop working properly. Using dry cotton swabs occasionally can help get rid of surface-level dirt and buildup. For a deeper clean, it’s best to go to a professional.

TV display

Oftentimes, while watching TV, you might notice annoying fingerprints and other streaks. Many people may just clean the screen with glass cleaner. However, this can be damaging to your TV. Glass cleaner can corrode the anti-reflective coating on your TV. Instead, it’s best to use a damp microfiber cloth.

Desktop PC

For keyboards, desktops, or laptops, you can find buildup on the keys as well as dirt and food underneath the keys. To get rid of “sticky keys” use a microfiber cloth with a neutral cleaner. To get rid of dirt and food particles, using a compressed air duster can get rid of all of it quickly. 

Desktop monitors are the same as TV screens. We don’t want to corrode any coats of fingerprint-resistant or anti-reflective coats of protection, so using a damp cloth and drying afterward is the safest option.

 

Electronics are only becoming a bigger part of our everyday lives. Cleaning & disinfecting these surfaces can help protect the health of yourself and others.