Disinfect Your Devices: How to Take Special Care

You must take special care to clean and disinfect devices and surfaces frequently touched throughout the day, with the coronavirus COVID-19 making its way through communities worldwide.

Phones, tablets, and laptops are all high-touch surfaces that can accumulate dirt, grime, germs, and viruses, putting you at risk of getting sick.

Fortunately, disinfecting your article is as simple as cleaning it down with a soft cloth or wipe and a tiny bit of alcohol-based disinfectant!

Disinfecting Phones and Tablets

Sanitize your equipment after using it out in public. Unless a person is sick in the house, your device isn’t likely to accumulate too many dangerous germs and viruses from conventional home use. However, your uncertainty increases when you apply it in public after touching other surfaces. So put your phone inside your bag or pocket when you move into a public restroom to check infection.

Unplug and power off the device before cleaning it. First, disconnect the mobile or tablet from headphones, charger, or any cable devices. Once your device is unplugged, close it down altogether. Unplugging your device can also lessen the uncertainty of electric shock.

Clean away debris and fingerprints with a microfiber cloth. Before disinfecting mobile or tablet, remove dirt, grease, and debris. Use a soft, dry lint-free microfiber cleaning cloth to clean all the surfaces of the mobile. Don’t use paper tissue as it can scratch up the surface of the device.

Clean exteriors with 70% alcohol or Clorox wipe. Use a pre-moistened disinfectant wipe or spatter a bit of alcohol-based disinfectant on a clean microfiber cloth. Next, lightly wipe down the screen and body of the mobile equipment. Do take care not to get moisture into one of the ports. Alternatively, spray a glass cleaner or all-purpose splash onto a clean microfiber cloth. Use the material to wipe down the phone. Avoid immersing the phone or spraying liquid cleaner or disinfectant directly on it.

Wipe the device gently to evade damaging the oil-resistant coating. You can prevent damage by using a screen protector and case on the phone or tablet. Don’t use harsh or abrasive cleaners like acetone, vinegar, bleach, ammonia, or kitchen and bathroom cleaner. 

Hand-wash phone cases and cables. Moisten a cloth using water and soap. Use gentle laundry detergent, gently rub the cover with it. Wash it off with cold water. Allow it to air dry.

Ensure the case is completely dry before you put it back on the device. Prepare a mixture of water and mild soap, like dishwashing liquid or liquid hand soap, and soak a microfiber cloth in it. Twist out the fabric and wash down the device’s cables. Take care not to make any electronic ports wet.

Wash hands before and after handling a device. Please wash hands with soap and warm water before you apply it to avoid contaminating the appliance. Rewash them after using them, especially if you haven’t had an opportunity to disinfect the device recently. In addition, it’s necessary to wash your hands before and after handling your device if you’ve just gone to the bathroom or you’re about to take food.

Sanitizing Computer and Keyboard

Unplug the computer or keyboard before cleaning it. Before you tend the laptop or keyboard, detach the power cord and cables. If possible, take out the batteries. Then, power down your device thoroughly. Keeping the computer and keyboard unplugged and powered down will decrease the risk of electric shock.

Wipe down the outer case of the computer with a disinfectant wipe. Next, use an alcohol-based wipe to clean the screen and outer shell of the computer. Take special care not to allow liquids to run into any openings or ports. You can protect the laptop from contamination and make it easier to brush with a washable antimicrobial cover. 

Disinfect the display or touchscreen with 70% alcohol. Lightly run a 70%-alcohol wipe over the display to clean it. Blot the screen when you’re done. Alternatively, you could set 70% rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth and lightly wipe down the display screen. If the company realizes several instructions for cleaning and disinfecting the screen, better follow them.

Clean the console with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol. Next, thoroughly wipe the keyboard and the spaces between the keys with a disinfectant wipe. Again, 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes will serve well. You can even soak a microfiber cloth with a small amount of rubbing alcohol to wipe.

Do not soak the wet cloth or allow liquid to seep into the small openings around your keys. While different computer manufacturers have additional cleaning recommendations, healthcare professionals have found that alcohol wipes are generally safe and effective on computer keyboards. First, blow it away with a bit of compressed air. Then, buy it at electronics or office supply store.

Hygiene Points

Do not rely on vinegar as your primary cleaning product to ensure your devices are thoroughly sanitized.

Allow the laptop and keyboard to dry on their own. Once you’ve wiped your laptop and keyboard, let them sit for a while so the disinfectant can evaporate. Wait until everything is dehydrated before you plug in your laptop and turn it back on. Most disinfectants want to sit on an exterior for 3-5 minutes to work properly.

Wash your hands before and after using the keyboard. One of the best ways to save your keyboard germ-free is to bypass getting germs on it in the first place. Instead, clean your hands with soap and warm water before you start using the device. You’re most likely to accumulate germs from a keyboard. It is because many souls have used it or that you have handled it after being in a commonplace without washing your hands.