How would you function without your technology devices today? Just think through your day and consider what you would do without your keyboard, phone, or mouse. Keep that in mind as you read some of the findings in a study conducted by CBT Nuggets. They swabbed some typical office items to determine the number of bacteria present on those items. The measure was the average colony-forming-units (CFU) per square inch on each item. Here are some of the results:
Keyboard: 3,543,000 CFU/SQ. IN. – that is 20,598 times more bacteria than on a TOILET SEAT
Phone: 1,600,082 CFU/SQ. IN. – that is 31,374 times more bacteria than on a PEN
Mouse: 1,370,068 CFU/SQ. IN. – that is 45,670 times more bacteria than on a TOILET HANDLE
That’s a whole lot of germs and bacteria, isn’t it? When you combine that with the amount of time and use each of these items get, we can honestly say that those germy door handles we use and handshakes we make aren’t the only thing we have to worry about during flu season.
While we wash our hands often, when was the last time you cleaned and disinfected digital tools and devices? Tidy Tabs cleaning staff don’t clean computers and other devices, but we don’t want anyone sick, either, so here is the information you need to make sure your devices aren’t infecting you!
How to clean and sanitize common technology equipment and devices:
You can use ethyl or isopropyl alcohol and disinfectants to safely clean your computer, keyboard, mouse, laptop, and headphones, including earbuds, as long as you use the cleaner sparingly. The first thing you need to remember to do is to turn every device off before attempting to clean. Liquids and electronics have never mixed well and that applies to all your digital devices as well. Put the alcohol or disinfectant on a soft cloth and wring out any excess moisture, leaving the cloth only slightly damp. Bear in mind that this does not include touchscreens.
While compressed air, brushes, and gel cleaners will remove debris, these do nothing to eliminate germs and bacteria on surfaces. Removing dirt and debris as well as disinfecting should be your goal when cleaning your devices and equipment.
Cleaning devices with touchscreens
Touchscreens should never be cleaned with alcohol or liquid cleaners. These products can cause the screen to deteriorate. Some product manufacturers recommend only specialized cleaners by name and brand. It is also not recommended that paper towels, tissues, or course cloths be used for cleaning screens because they can scratch the surface.
- Probably the best cleaner for touch screens is the microfiber cloth. These cloths are shown to pick up a lot of bacteria and will not scratch the surface. Just be sure to wash the cloths.
- Another alternative for touch screens is adhesive tape. Stick the tape to the screen and peel it off, along with the dirt and grime.
- UV lamps destroys bacteria and viruses by breaking down the cells and are effective in killing bacteria on touchscreens and other digital devices.
In addition to microfiber cloths, damp cotton swabs will get into the little nook, crannies, and crevices where dirt and bacteria will collect.
Keeping surfaces clean where devices are used
After you have cleaned the devices and gadgets, don’t be setting them back on bacteria-laden surfaces. Wipe those surfaces down with bacteria-killing cleaners and disinfectants, too. When we clean homes and businesses, the Tidy Tabs cleaning crews take special care to do this. That’s one of the ways that we can prevent the flu and other illnesses from infecting family and employees.
Keep your environment, tools, and surfaces clean. Call Tidy Tabs at 317-426-7806 today!
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