2.Desktop surface: 20,961 germs per square inch
3.Keyboard: 3,295 germs per square inch
4.Mouse: 1,676 germs per square inch
5.Toilet seat: 49 germs per square inch
This quote left me nodding my head, and sick to my stomach:
2.Disconnect the keyboard.
3.Gently turn the keyboard over and shake to remove loose dust and particles.
4.Use the compressed air to blow between keys and dislodge dirt trapped underneath.
5.Turn the keyboard over again and shake to remove loosened dirt.
6.Put a small amount of cleaner on the cloth or swab. They should be slightly damp to avoid dripping liquids into your keyboard.
7.Gently clean keyboard keys and other surface areas. Do not use abrasives or scraping action on the keys, or you may risk removing their labels.
8.If there is still grime around the edges of the keys, try using an alcohol-based wipe or a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a dust free cloth. Once again, this may remove or damage the letters on top of the keys, so proceed with caution.
9.Allow the keyboard to dry, if necessary, before plugging it back into your computer.
Tips:
1. Never submerge the keyboard in water.
2. Sticky fluids under the keys are nearly impossible to remove. Consider buying a new keyboard.
3. Some keyboard keys may be removable. Read the directions that came with your computer/keyboard before attempting to remove keys.
4. Some keyboards are dishwasher safe. If you have a consistent problem with spills and dirt, consider purchasing one of these.
What You Need:
•Dust-free cloth or cotton swab
•Gentle cleaner (water with a few drops of dish detergent work just fine)
•Can of compressed air (available at most office supply stores)
•Alcohol wipes or rubbing alcohol
Rach says
Oh, um… ick. I must go forth and clean them. All of them. NOW. And I just counted them up- 6!! Why do we have 6 computers in this house?!?!
Thanks for this, I eat at my computer all the time- I won’t change that habit 🙂 – but I will clean it ALOT more often!
Kim - A Creative Spirit says
Thanks for the great tips on cleaning up our computers.. and YES I am one who is always eating thru lunch at work and totally messing up my keyboard… I use the canned air but haven’t cleaned each key…love the idea of q tip…. As always you have such great info…..
DebC says
Traci ~
Thanks for being a follower on my blog. I have “Ordinary Inspirations” in my Google Reader.
This post is great. Keyboards can take a lot of abuse and just keep working.
A week or so ago (I mentioned it briefly in a post), my 3-year-old grandson was sitting on my lap as I was on the computer in the evening; no room lights were on.
He was sucking on a honey stick I had brought him from the county fair.
Yep . . . the drips were going onto and into the bottom left of the keyboard. Nice. Not. 🙂
My fault, not his.
I had a quick lesson in keyboard cleaning.
Amy says
Well coolio tips, chicka!!! Woo hoo!
I know what I am gonna be doing today!
Theresa says
Love pb and apples, one of my favorites too. I use a laptop so can’t disconnect my keyboard, but it doesn’t look too bad. Germs are gross!
Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet says
You mean the keyboard isn’t for catching crumbs? LOL!
Yuck on germs!! Definitely need to put this on my to-do list! YUCK!
Annesta says
Thanks for the tip! A lot to think of!
Muthering Heights says
Hehehe, I guess I never worried about my keyboard being dirtier than a toilet, since I don’t put my bum on it… 😛
Charissa Steyn says
Ha! I love this!! My computer is FILTHY I am sure! Thanks for the tips lady 🙂
Mrs. G says
Ewwww… now I have something else to add to my weekly to-do list! Thanks for the info.
Michelle says
I am currently eating a rice cake with peanut butter on it and I happen to come across this post on Google Reader!Lol
While that is funny, this information is not! Thank you for the warning!
Heidi says
well, ewe!
thanks for the tips!