Maintaining Your Tech: A Guide to Device Cleanliness

• Keeping your electronics clean is vital for hygiene, performance, and longevity. This guide covers effective methods for cleaning keyboards, earphones, screens, and smartphones, ensuring your gadgets stay pristine.

In our daily lives, smartphones, laptops, headphones, and other electronic devices have become indispensable tools for both work and leisure. However, the extensive time we spend interacting with them inevitably leads to the accumulation of grime and debris, necessitating regular cleaning. While many users might not prioritize device cleanliness, manufacturers like Logitech, a prominent producer of computer peripherals, stress its importance.

Logitech states that “regular cleaning and proper maintenance not only keeps your gadgets looking pristine, and wins you hygiene points, it also helps them perform better and last longer.” Furthermore, the company highlights that for devices such as earbuds, accumulated bacteria and debris could potentially cause health issues or discomfort. Therefore, understanding the best practices for cleaning your tech is crucial for both device health and personal well-being.

Essential Cleaning Supplies and Preparations

Before beginning any cleaning process, it’s always advisable to consult the manufacturer’s specific guidelines for your device. Gathering a few basic supplies will facilitate an effective clean. These should include a soft, lint-free cloth, such as a microfiber cloth, cotton swabs, and a soft-bristled brush like a toothbrush or a small paintbrush. Additionally, compressed air and isopropyl alcohol are highly recommended for comprehensive cleaning.

Isopropyl, commonly known as rubbing alcohol, is a non-toxic cleaning solvent renowned for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It’s particularly favored for cleaning electronics because it evaporates quickly and leaves no residue. When using isopropyl alcohol, it’s prudent to wear gloves to prevent skin irritation; always apply it to a cloth rather than directly pouring it onto your device. While water and mild soap can be effective for cleaning external surfaces, Alex Diaz-Kokaisl, a senior technical writer at iFixit, an electronics repair company, recommends high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (more than 90%) for internal components due to its rapid evaporation. This quick drying minimizes the risk of affecting electrically conductive parts. Always remember to disconnect or power off your device before cleaning and remove any cases, plugs, covers, or accessories.

Cleaning Keyboards, Laptops, and Screens

For computers, the keyboard and mouse are the most frequently touched components, making them prime candidates for regular cleaning. The many crevices between keyboard keys are also notorious for trapping crumbs and other loose debris. iFixit’s cleaning guide suggests using a can of compressed air to remove these loose particles. Aim the spray back and forth across the keys, and if possible, hold the keyboard upside down to allow debris to fall out more easily.

If compressed air isn’t available, Logitech suggests using a hair dryer on its cold air setting, while some online communities recommend a handheld balloon pump. After removing loose debris, dampen a cleaning cloth with water and gently wipe down the keyboard and mouse. Logitech also mentions rubbing alcohol as an option but advises testing it on an inconspicuous spot first to ensure it doesn’t cause discoloration or remove key lettering. Anti-bacterial baby wipes can also be effective for devices like a mouse, according to Diaz-Kokaisl, as their liquid content is typically minimal and evaporates quickly. For laptop screens or external monitors, a dry microfiber cloth is ideal for gently wiping away fingerprint smudges. For more stubborn marks, dampen the cloth with distilled water or a 50/50 solution of distilled water and vinegar; Lenovo notes that vinegar’s mild acidity helps break down oils and fingerprints. Avoid household glass cleaners, which often contain ammonia that can damage screens, and never use paper towels, as they can scratch surfaces. HP specifically advises against using rubbing alcohol on screens.

Earphones and Smartphones: Specific Care

Earbuds, frequently used for music and podcasts, accumulate earwax, natural skin oils, and other grime, necessitating regular cleaning. If your earbuds have silicone tips, remove them before cleaning. Cleaning procedures can vary by brand and model; Logitech and Bose recommend using soapy water for their products. Conversely, Sony warns against using water or wet wipes, as they can accelerate deterioration, advising a dry cloth instead.

A cotton swab is effective for cleaning earbud nozzles. Apple AirPods require a more detailed cleaning process for their mesh components, involving a child’s toothbrush, two small cups, a paper towel, distilled water, and micellar water (a common facial cleanser). The procedure involves dipping the toothbrush in micellar water, brushing the mesh parts, blotting dry, repeating twice, then rinsing with distilled water, and finally allowing the AirPods to dry for at least two hours. For the rest of the AirPod body, a damp cloth suffices. Don’t forget the charging case; Apple suggests brushing out debris and then wiping with a dry cloth, dampening it with isopropyl alcohol if needed. For over-ear headphones, Bose recommends wiping them down at least weekly, especially after workouts, using a cloth dampened with soapy water after removing the pads.

For smartphones, Apple and Samsung provide specific guidelines on their respective websites for cleaning their iPhone and Galaxy models. Both companies advise using a soft, lint-free cloth, such as a lens cleaning cloth, to gently wipe the phone’s exterior. Apple cautions against using any cleaning products that could erode the oleophobic (oil-repellent) coating present on most iPhones. However, both companies do permit the use of disinfectants like rubbing alcohol to gently clean the exterior, while explicitly warning against bleach or hydrogen peroxide.