No thanks to the many crevices between the keys, your keyboard likely houses all manner of dirt and bacteria, from food crumbs and drink spills, to dead skin and office germs. And every time you rub your eyes, or grab snacks with your hands right after using the keyboard, you’re introducing these bacteria directly into your body.
Do:
- Dip a microfibre cloth in cleaning solution to wipe down your screen, mouse and other flat surfaces regularly.
- Before cleaning the keyboard, make sure your notebook is turned off. If it’s a USB keyboard, make sure it is unplugged.
- Turn the keyboard upside down and shake off particles trapped within the keys. Then, use a big soft brush (makeup brushes work well too) to dust off dirt. Even better, get a can of compressed air (Challenger stocks them) to force out the dirt in between the keys. This also works to clean the crevices inside your mouse.
- Pay particular attention to frequently used keys, like the Enter key and your space bar.
- Only turn on your laptop, or plug in your USB keyboard, when the keyboard is completely dry.
- Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly to prevent the transfer of bacteria from your hands to your keyboard.
Don’t:
- Don’t try to vacuum your keyboard with a vacuum cleaner. The powerful suction force can potentially damage the components.
How often: Once a month. Or, if you have a habit of eating at your desk, every fortnight.
