Many of us are reliant on our gadgets (some of us perhaps a little over-reliant). We use things like our smart phones and laptops pretty much every day, meaning they accumulate a lot of dirt and bacteria. So it’s important to know how to clean tech items properly, so you don’t damage your gadgets, and to reduce the risk of that bacteria causing us harm. At Helpling, we’ve put together some top tips for cleaning your most important tech items.
Smartphones and Tablets
It goes without saying that smart phones and tablets get pretty dirty. Think about how much you use it throughout the day. Smartphones can contain up to ten times more bacteria than an average toilet seat!
How to clean:
- Wipe the screen with a micro-fibre cloth.
- For a more thorough screen cleaning, use a mixture of water with a little bit of rubbing alcohol or vinegar. Get a very small amount on a cloth and dab at the screen, then again with a dry cloth afterwards.
- To deep clean the rest of the phone, you need cotton buds, water and rubbing alcohol. For large plastic areas, like the battery cover, use a cotton bud with a little rubbing alcohol (and just water for any metal trims). Use a dry cotton bud to clean dirt and dust from underneath the battery cover and inside the phone.
- Use a damp cotton bud for the camera lens and flash and dry immediately after.
Don’t:
- Spray anything directly on to the screen. Spray onto a cloth to ensure no liquid gets into the speakers or microphone.
- Use a hair dryer to dry your phone or tablet. Electrical devices contain components that can be damaged by heat.
How often should they be cleaned?
- Phones: At least once a week for the screen, once a month for the more thorough screen clean, and a deep clean every few months.
- Tablets: Same as the above, depending on how often you use it. Tablets may not need cleaning as regularly.
Earphones and headphones
Without regular cleaning, headphones can increase the risk of acne and other skin infections. A buildup of dead skin and sweat causes bacteria growth on the surfaces of the headphones. So keeping them clean is vital.
How to clean:
- Gently dab the plastic of the earphone/headphone with a damp cloth or a wet wipe and dry with a paper towel.
- Any metal parts can be dry-brushed. Be careful not to cause any damage, particularly if you are detaching parts.
Don’t:
Share earphones! Harmful bacteria can transfer from one ear to another.
How often should they be cleaned?
- Headphones: If you use your headphones daily, you should wipe them at the end of each day, or every few days at least. Aim for a deeper clean (as described above) once every one to two months.
- Earphones: Again, these should also be wiped daily. If you have silicon earbuds, take them off and wash them weekly.
Laptops/Notebooks/Keyboards
Most of us use our laptops every day at work and/or at home, so they collect a lot of crumbs, dirt and bacteria. This can potentially result in diseases or food poisoning because of germs that are transferred when you touch your face.
How to clean:
- Switch off the laptop/unplug the keyboard.
- Brush out the bigger crumbs with a soft brush, then use compressed air to blow out the finer bits of dirt between the keys (this also works for your mouse).
- Use wet wipes to clean any stains and wipe dry after.
- Spray screen cleaning solution or spraying alcohol onto a cloth then gently wipe the screen.
- Only switch your computer on or plug in the keyboard when it has dried completely.
Don’t:
- Vacuum or hairdry your laptop or keyboard, as this can cause serious damage.
- Spray cleaning solutions directly onto the screen or laptop/keyboard. Always spray onto the cloth first.
How often should they be cleaned?
You should wipe down the mouse and keyboard once a week ideally as they collect a lot dirt. Make time for a deeper clean once every one to two months.
Cameras
There’s nothing worse than thinking you’ve taken a good photo, for it to be ruined by a mark on the lens. Cameras also collect dirt from being passed person to person, whether it’s to take a photo or to show others your pictures.
How to clean:
- Clean the body of the camera with a damp cloth. Use a fuzz-free cloth so as not to leave scratches.
- For the internal parts, remove the battery and memory card and brush gently with a soft brush to remove dust and small bits of dirt.
- With the lens, we recommend you use a specialist optic cleaning cloth, which are available at opticians and photography shops. You can also use a regular cleaning cloth and take extra care.
Don’t:
- Spray cleaning solution directly onto the lens. Always spray onto a cloth first.
- Use compressed air to blog dust from components in your camera, as this can cause damage.
How often should they be cleaned?
Give it a basic clean after any heavy usage. A deep clean is recommended three to four times a year.
About the Author
James McLoughlin is content specialist at Helpling, an online platform for booking trusted and vetted cleaning services in Melbourne and Sydney.