The task of cleaning your computer peripherals can prove to be more time-consuming than you might think, especially if you eat near your computer.
A quick rule of thumb from Jennifer Braniff-Harmon, covert operations agent with Best Buy's Geek Squad in Kansas City, regarding cleaning tech equipment: "You don't have to overspend on cleaning products, as most devices can be cleaned with common household ingredients.
"Eyeglass-cleaning wipes are cheap and contain rubbing alcohol for sanitizing, making them my favourite for cellphone, keyboard, headphone and monitor cleaning."
And the computer keyboard (and sometimes mouse) "are some of the dirtiest gadgets in your tech lineup."
Braniff-Harmon recommends sanitizing after any illness or at least every three months.
If you eat near your keyboard and it's growing fairly crumby, take care of it sooner. Crumbs in the keyboard can cause damage.
Before attempting any cleaning, turn the computer off.
"Then you can take one of the eyeglass-cleaning wipes that are great for cleaning gadgets to wipe down the keyboard. Cotton swabs with a little rubbing alcohol diluted in water are perfect for getting those stubborn stickies and upping the germ killing," she said.
Those eyeglass-cleaning wipes are also a good solution for your computer mice.
What about the computer itself? It's important to keep it relatively free of dust.
Feel free to dust off the exterior, but exercise caution inside the tower. "Do not vacuum inside your computer," Braniff-Harmon said. "Static electricity caused by vacuuming does not like your computer parts and can cause serious damage."
Go with compressed air instead.
