Do you want to learn how to disinfect a computer the proper way? If you’re someone that spends hours on end every other day at your office, it can become a feeding ground for dirt, dust and bacteria to develop.
Because when you think about it, we do much more than just sit at a desk and work all day. We also cough and sneeze and eat and drink there too. In light of the current environment that we live in, we all have a heightened awareness towards cleaning and sanitizing our area, and it’s simply something we cannot afford to skimp doing properly.
Office equipment is surprisingly unhygienic…
In fact, office equipment, such as keyboards, harbor thousands upon thousands of bacteria per square inch. That’s not a very comforting fact, and I’ll bet you’re reaching for the disinfectant wipes right now. I was certainly shocked when I discovered this fact, and I was even more disgusted because every so often I tend to eat at my desk as well. So, who knows what type of bacteria could have been on my fingertips?
Keep your office clean and free from risk of multiplying bacteria by following this comprehensive and easy to follow guide which will teach you how to disinfect your computer so that you are rid of germs, dirt and debris.
By the end of this exercise, I guarantee that you will put any professional cleaning agency to the test with these tricks and tips to disinfect and clean your home office and home office equipment.
(Or your money back hehe!)
Don’t risk damaging your equipment or worse still, risk catching an illness from bacteria on your desk
What’s more, computers and electronics are delicate devices that can easily be damaged and scratched if the correct methods of cleaning and proper cleaning agents are not utilized. This is particularly true for the screen on your laptop or your screen monitor. As you know yourself, these aren’t the cheapest piece of equipment on the market either.
Are you ready to sanitise and clean up your dirty home office? Do you accept the challenge of making your work area a more sanitary and inviting place to work? If you think you’re up for the challenge, then read on as I introduce you to these insider proven strategies to have your home office or even your work office looking clean and sparkling in minutes.
In fact, it’ll look so bang tidy that Monica from Friends will even be impressed.
P.S. This easy to follow guide is loaded with fun tips and bonus tips to ensure you sanitise and clean your equipment correctly. I even include some bonus facts about how dirty home office equipment is that it might come as a surprise to you. Let’s get started, shall we?
Have a guess as to how many bacteria live on your office equipment…
If your guess was in the region of 21,000 germs per square inch, then congratulations because you got the answer right. Yes, you read correctly. They sit on the most commonly touched parts of your office too, from the keyboard to the mouse, desk and even your office chair!
So just how dirty is your office compared to other areas of your home?
Well, your office desk harbours approximately 10,000,000 bacteria, which is over 100 times greater than the number of germs you will find on your kitchen table. More shockingly, it’s more than 400 times the bacteria you would find on an average toilet seat. You wouldn’t eat or work off your toilet seat right?
How to disinfect a keyboard
1. Ensure that the keyboard unplugged before you commence cleaning. If it is a laptop keyboard, ensure that it is switched off. If it’s a wireless keyboard, press the off button before you begin cleaning.
2. First let’s start with removing the debris. Remove particles of dust, food and debris by flipping the keyboard upside down and gently shaking it. If you hear debris moving around inside in it, you may need to tap at the keyboard to help move them.
3. If you have a can of compressed air, you can force any remaining dust or food pieces out from underneath the keys. if you have noticed that any keys are jamming or slightly stiff, pay particular attention to these areas while cleaning
4. Hold the can of compressed air approximately 6 inches away from the buttons when spraying.
5. If you don’t have compressed air, a piece of paper or a sticky note folded in half and maneuvered through the keyboard buttons will help to move the dust along.
6. Clean in between the buttons by using a lint-free cloth sprayed with disinfectant and rubbing it gently over them; don’t forget to go in between the crevices of the keys.
7. A cotton bud dipped in alcohol is also very effective at getting in between the keyboard buttons to disinfect them.
8. Finally, wipe around the edges of the keyboard and remember to wipe underneath the keyboard as well.
9. If it is a wired keyboard, don’t forget to give the wire a wipe as well.
Tip: Ensure that you spray the cleaning agent onto the cloth instead of spraying it on to the keyboard directly as it may cause excess liquid to get into the keyboard.
How to disinfect a mouse
The mouse can also be subject to bacteria, dirt and dust. Sometimes it can even become slightly stiff to move due to a build-up of product on the underneath part.
1. Use a disinfectant wipe or a microfiber cloth sprayed with alcohol spray to disinfect your mouse.
2. Ensure to wipe the underneath of the mouse as dust and dirt can become caught in the rubber components.
3. If the mouse buttons or scroll wheel have become stiff to move, there may be some debris lodged inside them.
4. Aim the nozzle from a can of compressed air into the crevices of the mouse button. If you don’t have a compressed air can, a sticky note folded in half can remove the dirt from the mouse too.
Tip: If the cloth or wipe does not remove the dirt, use a toothpick too gently remove the dirt.
Bonus tip: Use a separate cloth our disinfectant wipe when cleaning the keyboard and mouse.
How to disinfect a desktop screen
Regardless of the screen type, you can still use the same approach as is described below if you want to disinfect your laptop screen, TV or a desktop monitor screen. Remember that these screens are extremely fragile, so avoid applying pressure to them.
1. Disconnect the power of the monitor. If it is a laptop screen, ensure that the laptop is fully switched off and the battery is removed.
2. Using a damp microfiber cloth, wipe down the monitor screen until all smudges, fingerprints and dust have been removed.
3. If there are vents, use a soft brush or a vacuum to suck the dust from these vents.
4. If you have compressed air, spraying this into the crevices of the vents will also help to remove any dust present.
5. Finally, wipe down the edges and external parts of the monitor or laptop, while trying to avoid touching the screen with the cloth.
Tip: Avoid using harsh chemicals, such as window cleaners, as this could affect the coating of the monitor screen and cause the coating to wear away. Only cleaning agents specifically designed for use on desktop monitors or laptop screens should be used.
Bonus tip: A microfiber cloth or a computer screen wipe is the best option when it comes to choosing the material to wipe down your screen. Paper towels, cloths and rags can be too abrasive and cause scratching on the screen as well as streaks.
How to disinfect a phone
Whether it’s a telephone or a mobile phone they’re both frequently used electronics that can harbour a disgusting amount of bacteria.
1. Ensure that the telephone or mobile phone is powered off and unplugged before cleaning it.
2. Remove any debris which could have built up around the buttons, earpiece, speaker and mouthpiece by using a can of compressed air and spraying at the areas at a distance of 6 inches away.
3. Disinfect the phone by wiping all parts of it down using a disinfectant wipe or a microfiber cloth sprayed with disinfectant solution. Don’t forget to clean the handheld piece and pay particular attention to the area around the mouth and buttons of the phone.
Tip: These cleaning guidelines also apply to your headset, including the speaker and the mouthpiece. Use a separate wipe or clean cloth to clean this to avoid spreading the germs.
How to disinfect a home office desk
While you are in the mood and in swing of things, it probably makes sense to clean down your office desk as well as this is one of the surfaces which is home to thousands of germs and bacteria.
1. Remove as much equipment paperwork and materials from your desk as you can before cleaning.
2. Use an alcohol wipe or a damp cloth sprayed with disinfectant to wipe away any dust. Gently rub any stains or marks until they are removed.
3. Allow the table to dry before returning the equipment to the office desk. Ensure that equipment and materials are cleaned before returning them to the desk.
Tip: If you have a wooden table, ensure that you only use appropriate disinfectant suitable for wooden surfaces as regular alcohol wipes or alcohol can liquefy varnish and finishes which can cause damage to your furniture. This includes painted, varnished, lacquered and treated wood.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned how to disinfect your computer and home office desk, why not finish the job and learn how to clean an office chair – must know tips. It is after all, one of the most frequently touched parts of your home office or work office. Plus, I know that coffee stain on the seat bugs you every single time that you sit down.
Again, failure to use the correct cleaning appliances and cleaning materials solutions can lead to some serious damage to your furniture depending on the type of office chair that you have.
I hope you enjoyed the article and that you learned a few new tips and tricks along the way. Did discovering the amount of bacteria that resides in your home office horrify you? Which cleaning guidelines are you going to apply to your office area? Have you any cleaning tips that you swear by? How often do you clean or disinfect your home office or your office equipment? Please share your comments and queries below and I will gladly respond to them.
Sources
https://workplaceinsight.net/main-cause-of-germs-at-the-office-desk-is-due-to-poor-personal-hygiene/#:~:text=There’s a staggering 21,000 germs,than the average toilet seat.
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-clean-your-computer-pc-monitor-screen/
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/rubbing-alcohol-uses-safety-mistakes-262542
