How do I clean Technology?
Quick Tips on Cleaning Your ACES Laptop, Keyboard, and Mouse
Always unplug your devices (and remove batteries if possible) before you attempt to clean them. Never spray your laptop, keyboard or mouse directly. Never use paper fiber materials like a tissue or a paper towel, as they’re more abrasive and can leave scratches. Never use bleach or products with bleach on your laptop, keyboard, or mouse. Wipe down the laptop outside case and the keyboard with an alcohol-based disinfectant wipe. Let them dry completely. Alternatively use a soft cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol to clean the laptop outside case and keyboard, making sure not to drip liquid into any openings. Both methods would work for a mouse.
From the CDC concerning Disinfecting:
Disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated with germs after cleaning: A list of products with EPA approved emerging viral pathogens claims is available at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020.pdf Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against the virus that causes COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, use of personal protective equipment).
From NY Department of Health concerning keyboards:
Computer keyboards are difficult to clean due to the spaces between keys and the sensitivity of its hardware to liquids. When shared, they may contribute to indirect transmission. Locations with community use computers should provide posted signs regarding proper hand hygiene before and after using the computers to minimize disease transmission. Also, consider using keyboard covers to protect the hardware against spills and facilitate cleaning.
From Apple:
Due to COVID-19, Apple changed its instructions to read “Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces.” The company adds that you shouldn’t use bleach, and should avoid getting moisture in any of the openings.
How to disinfect a phone or a tablet (From NY Times (Wirecutter):
- Always unplug your phone or tablet before attempting to clean it.
- Don’t spray your device directly, and avoid getting drips of moisture in any openings.
- Prep with a dry, soft cloth to remove debris and fingerprints. Never use paper fiber materials like a tissue or a paper towel, as they’re more abrasive and can leave scratches.
- Different phones can handle different cleaners, so consult the manufacturer’s website. For the Pixel 3a, Google recommends using “ordinary household soap or cleaning wipes” as needed, and it doesn’t specify restrictions on alcohol-based wipes. (We haven’t tested this ourselves yet.) If you’re concerned about removing the oil-resistant coating, or if you want to go to town with some disinfectant, use a phone case or a screen protector and wipe it down with either a soft cloth dampened with a little rubbing alcohol or a disinfecting wipe. (You can throw the case or screen protector away if it starts to deteriorate.)
- How to clean shared computers, keyboards, remote controls, and mouses.
- Your personal laptop is probably fine, as it will have the germs that are usually on your body. However, if you share a computer with others at work, you should gently wipe it down.
- Always unplug your devices (and remove batteries if possible) before you attempt to clean them.
- Never spray your laptop directly.
- Never use paper fiber materials like a tissue or a paper towel, as they’re more abrasive and can leave scratches.
- Again, different computer manufacturers have different rules about what cleaners are allowed. You should be able to wipe down the outside case and the keyboard with an alcohol-based disinfectant wipe. Let them dry completely. (Lenovo suggests using a soft cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol to clean the keyboard, making sure not to drip liquid into any openings.)
- You may consider getting a wipeable cover for your laptop so it can be disinfected without damaging the machine.