How TO Clean
ELECTRONICS

Hands down, your keyboards and touch screens are among the grubbiest items in your home (or office). If you’re not going to get off the grid, know how to keep them clean.

Keyboard

Never spray liquids (that includes water) directly onto the keyboard.

• Use a can of compressed air to dislodge particles, flipping the keyboard over and gently shaking out dirt. Angle the air so it blows dust out of a device (not into it). Fit the canister with an extension tube to get between the keys.
• As needed, moisten a microfiber cloth with a few drops of rubbing alcohol (use a medicine dropper), then rub this gently over the surface, until clean. Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol (and dabbed to remove excess) to get into the nooks and crannies.

Monitor

You can see smudges better on a black screen, so turn off the monitor before cleaning; heat can also set any streaks left behind.

• First dust the screen with a soft microfiber cloth (paper towels are too abrasive).
• Then dampen the cloth with a spray designed for LCD and plasma monitors (or use a special pre-wetted wipe) and erase any smudges and grime.

TV Screen

For flat screens, experts advise using only special kits, which are sold at electronics stores. Spritz the screen when it is cool, as heat can cause permanent streaks, then very gently wipe away with a soft cloth.

printer

Check the owner’s manual for specific cleaning instructions for your make and model; some have self-cleaning options. The following are general tips:

• Wipe exterior surfaces and paper rollers with a soft cloth dampened with water. Use a damp cotton swab for hard-to-reach areas.
• Dust the corona wires (what attracts toner to paper) on laser printers using a dry cotton swab. Use toner cleanup cloths to remove any toner from your hands.
• Spray the fan and vent with compressed air to blow out dust.

Tip

To remove tough grime on electronics, use a melamine-foam sponge, wiping gently to avoid scratching off the unit’s surface.

DIY Disinfecting

To rid handheld and hands-on gadgets and equipment such as phones, remote controls, keyboards, and computer mouses of germs, dip a soft cloth into rubbing alcohol, squeeze the cloth so that it’s damp but not dripping, and thoroughly wipe down the surface. Or, even easier: Keep a container of sanitizing wipes on hand, and use them periodically.