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Our daily life revolves around home electronics. We touch them repeatedly, share them with other family members, and leave them out to collect dust and grime, and yet we don’t generally include them in our regular cleaning routine—and that’s a big mistake. As important as it is to keep your hands clean, it’s just as important to keep your electronics clean so they don’t become reservoirs for germs. Here are some easy-to-use cleaning tips for home electronics to keep them clean and germ-free.
Before you get out your cleaning tools, it is important to remember that electronic items are often coated with special finishes. These electrical components can be very sensitive to harsh cleaners or abrasives. When determining how to clean electronics in your home, it’s always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s instructions before you try to clean a device to ensure that you don’t damage it in the process.
Most basic cleaning does not reveal a device’s interior electronic components and should not void your warranty; however, if you go beyond basic cleaning, check the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that your cleaning approach will not void the warranty.
1. Smartphones and tablets
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It’s not just a dirty rumor: Every square inch of your cell phone is covered with roughly 25,127 bacteria. That’s more bacteria than are found on a public doorknob. Keep your tablets and cell phones clean by wiping them down regularly. While you can purchase specialty cleaning fluid or UV lights to disinfect your screens, it’s easier to dampen a microfiber cloth with a mix of 60 percent water and 40 percent isopropyl alcohol, and clean your screens daily. They are ideal for cleaning surfaces because microfiber cloths won’t scratch them. Be sure to power down your phone or tablet prior to cleaning, just in case there’s a spill.
2. Computers and Laptops
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You don’t touch your computer or laptop screen as often as you touch your cell phone, but those screens can still collect fingerprints and dust. You can clean your monitors by turning off the computer and then adding a little dish soap to a cup of warm water. Use a microfiber cloth to dip into the mixture and then squeeze the water out. To remove dirt and smudges, wipe the screens with a clean microfiber cloth. Next, rinse the cloth in warm water. To remove any moisture lingering and to eliminate streaks, use a microfiber cloth. Woosh! is another popular cleaner. The 2.0 Screen Cleaner kit can be safely used on computer and laptop screens. No matter what route you decide to take, simply dampen the cloth using your preferred cleaning product. Spray liquids on screens should not be directly applied.
Pay attention to your computer tower if you own a desktop. There are vents in the tower that allow heat to be expelled and air flow to cool it. This can cause problems with the computer’s ability to run. Clean the vents with a vacuum cleaner or a dusting cloth. Next, wipe the tower clean using a microfiber cloth. You may have to remove the cover if you find a lot dust in the tower. If you’d rather not remove the cover, you can schedule a professional cleaning service for your computer. Your computer tower should be swept once a month.
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3. Keyboard, mouse, and trackpad
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University of Arizona researchers discovered that the average office desk can contain 400 times the bacteria of a toilet chair. Additionally, bacteria tends to settle on trackpad, keyboard and mouse. These gear are frequently touched and should be maintained clean.
First, disconnect the keyboard from its power source to clean it. You can use compressed air to clean the spaces between the keys. A cotton swab with rubbing alcohol can be used to clean the keys. Dry them using a microfiber towel. Spray the mouse with rubbing alcohol, then wipe it clean with a microfiber towel. Use a moistened cloth dampened with water or isopropyl to clean the trackpad. These three touch points should be cleaned weekly. If you are sick, it’s best to clean them after each use.
4. Print
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While home printers don’t get as germy or dirty as electronic gadgets, they still collect dust. Your cleaning routine should include a dusting of the printer. This will help keep your printer running smoothly. Most printers have a cleaning function that takes care of the ink nozzles, so you probably don’t have to mess with them. But it’s a good idea to use a can of compressed air or a small handheld vacuum cleaner to remove any dust that builds up inside the printer. You can clean the printer with water and a soft cloth. You should dust the printer once a week and clean it monthly.
If your printer has a built-in fax machine, you’ll also want to clean this area. Make sure the printer is unplugged and turned off before you clean it. Next, use compressed air or wipe the dirt from the vents with a damp cloth. Please don’t attempt to clean any locked-away areas, as the manufacturer keeps them sealed for a reason.
5. Earphones & Headphones
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Both earphones or headphones come in direct contact to your skin. They can get clogged with sweat, dirt, wax and dust over time. Ew. You can clean your headphones with an over-the-ear microfiber cloth. Then, rinse them off with some water. Dry them and let them dry.
AirPods and other earbuds should be removed with a microfiber towel. Use water and no cleaning solutions. Use cleaning putty to remove any buildups of dust or wax. Remove rubber covers that cover the speaker of earbuds and clean them individually. Apple AirPods, and other similar products, have mesh that you can wipe clean using a dry cotton cloth. The wireless earbud case should be cleaned regularly. Use a gentle cloth with some rubbing alcohol to wipe the case down. Next, use a dry, soft-bristled brush for cleaning out the Lightning connector.
You should wash headphones and earphones every other week, no matter which type.
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6. Flat-Screen Televisions and Remote Controllers
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Television screens should be treated in exactly the same way as computer and laptop screens: Clean them with a microfiber towel, then rinse with warm water with some dish soap. However, cleaning the remote control takes more effort. First, open the back of your remote. Next, remove any batteries. To loosen any crumbs from the remote, gently shake it. Next, use compressed air for any remaining debris between buttons. Next, soak a microfiber cloth with a 60% to 70% solution of rubbing alcohol. Wipe down the area. To clean the buttons, use a cotton swab that has been dipped into rubbing alcohol. After the remote is air dried, replace the batteries. It’s important to clean TV screens and remotes weekly. If someone in the house is sick, it’s a good idea to wipe the remote down every day.
7. Smart Speakers
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You can clean smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo or Google Home with a microfiber cloth. Clean your screen device the same way you would clean a computer monitor. You should clean smart speakers at least once a week.
8. Gaming consoles and controllers
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It is important to clean game consoles and controllers regularly in order to prevent germs from getting into the system and allow them to work effectively. The controllers should be cleaned in the same way as remote controls. You can also clean the console like a tower of computers. However, do not open the console for cleaning. Leave that job to professionals. Clean consoles once a week, wipe them clean, and if anyone in the house is ill, wash controllers.
9. Modems and routers
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Most people don’t think much about routers or modems until they break down. These devices are hidden away in the corner of the room, often covered with hair or dust. They have heat-exchanging vents like computers towers. Your router and modem should be given a thorough dusting once per week, followed by a clean with a dry microfiber towel at least once per month to maintain their good condition.
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10. Streaming devices
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Streaming devices like Amazon Fire sticks and Roku bring your favorite Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video shows to your living room, but are almost always overlooked when you’re cleaning. A simple wipe down when you’re dusting the TV will keep these gadgets in good condition.
11. Smart Doorbells
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Although smart doorbells have cameras built in, like the Ring and Google Nest video doorsbells, these devices offer security for your home but do not prevent germs from spreading. Friends, neighbors, delivery drivers, and others press that button, and you can’t be sure about the cleanliness of their hands. Cleaning your smart doorbell regularly will not only stop germs from spreading, but you’ll also prevent the video feed from becoming blurry. Video doorbell manufacturer Ring says that it’s OK to sanitize the bell’s housing and button with a disinfecting wipe (stick with the wipes—don’t spray disinfectant on the bell, because the spray can seep inside).
Don’t use a disinfecting wipe on the doorbell’s lens, either. Use a soft cloth to clean the lens of your doorbell and its body. To remove any stubborn dirt or grime, you can use a small amount of water to wet the cloth. To prevent damage, do not use harsh chemicals on the lens; you can, however, use a cleanser that’s made for eyeglasses, camera lenses, and other optical gear.
RELATED: Buyer’s Guide: The Best Video Doorbells
12. Cameras
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Cameras get infected easily. Think about it: You take these devices all over the place, and they acquire bacteria—sometimes scary bacteria—along the way. A Chicago Tribune article about the bacteria found on one photographer’s camera discovered that the most abundant presence was mycoplasma, a type of bacteria unaffected by many antibiotics.
To clean a camera, brush away any dirt from the camera’s exterior and use an alcohol wipe to clean the camera’s surface. Use a lens cleaner to dampen a soft, circular cloth and clean the lens. Take out any disposable lenses. Use a small blower to remove dirt from the lens.
13. Virtual Reality Headsets
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Virtual reality (VR) headsets like the Google Meta Quest 2 are a fun way to immerse yourself in a gaming universe, but they’re magnets for all kinds of grime. Because they’re worn over the face, headsets can collect a buildup of facial oils, sweat, dirt, and microorganisms—disgusting to think about, especially if you share your headset with other players.
These sets can be cleaned easily. You can gently wipe the lenses and cameras with a microfiber towel. You can wipe the headset with alcohol-free wipes, but only the parts that are in direct contact with the skin should be wiped. Antibacterial wipes can be used to clean soft spots, such as the strap. Let the headset air dry before you try it again.
14. Smart Watches
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Your smartwatch is worn every day, so if it appears clean, it probably is. According to a study, smart watches have 374 percent more bacteria per square inch than a standard toilet seat.
This fact may encourage you to clean your smartwatch more often, but your ultimate goal is to only clean it once a week. Separate the screen and the band to clean it. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the screen. For a more intensive cleaning, you can use a microfiber cloth to wipe the screen. It depends on what material you are using to clean the band. Please refer to the instruction booklet.
15. Speaker Grilles
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You can trap dirt, dust, or other allergens in the mesh around your speaker grille. You can also harbor mold. It is important to clean the mesh properly and keep it clean. This will make your home more comfortable and improve speaker sound quality.
High-quality speakers will have removable grilles. You should be able to pop them off with light pressure (don’t force them!). Regularly remove dust from the speaker and grille using a damp cloth, dusting cloth, feather duster, or vacuum on low power—but don’t use the vaccum near the speaker drivers. To clean the mesh more thoroughly, use a soapy sponge to scrub it or soak the grilles in soapy water. After rinsing, dry the mesh with a towel or a fan. Only when the mesh is dry, reattach it to the speaker.