As we see increased cases of the COVID-19 virus, it’s important to ensure you are cleaning your technology as often as you’re washing your hands. We’ve put together the following tips to ensure your tech is cleaned safely to protect you from illness and your devices from damage.
Smartphones:
Smartphones can carry thousands of germs, and failure to frequently wipe down your device might mitigate the effects of regular hand washing. In fact, as many times as you wash your hands throughout the day, consider wiping down your phone as well.
First, ensure your phone is unplugged from power sources, other devices or cables.
Make sure to avoid abrasive cloths, towels, paper towels or any other rough material.
You'll want to use a soft, lint-free cloth or a tech-friendly alcohol wipe. Avoid wiping the phone excessively as this could cause damage.
Keep liquids away from the product, and don't get moisture in openings.
Avoid aerosol sprays, bleaches, and abrasives – and do not spray cleaners directly onto your iPhone.
Use a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes.
Gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces.
Keyboard:
First turn off the computer and disconnect the keyboard from the back of the computer.
Use a can of compressed air to blow out any of the dust or dirt between the keys of the keyboard.
Lightly moisten a soft cleaning cloth with a solution of three parts water and one-part liquid dishwashing detergent and carefully wipe the keys.
Avoid wipes with bleach as they can damage the finish on your keyboard.
Ensure the wipes aren't overly damp by squeezing out any excess liquid before wiping the keyboard.
To avoid hardware damage, do not soak the cleaning cloth in the solution and do not allow the solution to drip in between the keys of the keyboard.
Mouse:
First unplug it from your computer and remove any batteries.
Or simply turn it off and remove the batteries if it's wireless.
If there are loose particles stuck underneath the scroll wheel, turn the mouse upside down and roll the scroll wheel to help dislodge anything that may be stuck inside.
Wipe your mouse with disinfectant wipes.
Like with your keyboard, make sure that the wipes aren't overly damp. Also, take care to avoid getting moisture into any openings.
Earbuds:
Wipe earbuds clean with a clean towel dipped in warm, soapy water. Avoid excess moisture, as this can damage the earbuds.
Dip a cotton swab into hydrogen peroxide and apply to the earbud. Apply as little as possible to avoid causing moisture damage.
Wait five minutes, giving the hydrogen peroxide time to bubble up and loosen the dirt, debris and ear wax.
Brush the earbud clean with an unused toothbrush. This will allow you to remove residue that remains in the small holes and crevices.
Wipe the residue from the earbud using a clean towel. Dry thoroughly.
AirPods:
Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the exterior surfaces of your AirPods or EarPods. Don’t use on the speaker mesh.
Don't use bleach.
Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don’t submerge your AirPods or EarPods in any cleaning agents.
Further questions about your electronics? Apple has announced their official cleaning guidelines, which you can find here.
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