We highly doubt “clean electronics” comes in as #1 on your list when you write out the weekly and monthly chores. To be honest, it’s not something that many homeowners, and adults in general, think to do often. That doesn’t make it less important than scrubbing the toilet, washing the kitchen counters, and vacuuming the floors, though.
That’s why we wanted to give a friendly reminder to everyone out there that electronics need proper cleaning, too. Because people don’t think to do it often, we thought it would be a good idea to just brush up on safe cleaning methods for most electronic and technological equipment.
Before we start, we’d like to bring attention to a few key points when cleaning anything electronic or technical. First things first, always go by the suggestions on the manufacturer’s guide, as they know best. Next, do not spray anything wet – meaning water or cleaning solutions – directly onto electronics, as this could be very damaging. Last, always unplug devices and take batteries out if needed for operation; getting electrocuted is not the goal here, and neither is frying batteries.
Keep on reading to learn some more good stuff about cleaning electronics properly!
Smartphones & Tablets
If you want to clean your smartphone or tablet properly, start by wiping the screen with a delicate microfiber cloth to get all debris off. You can wet the cloth but be sure to ring it out thoroughly before touching it to any screen.
Cotton swabs are great for getting the corners of the screen where dirt and dust subtly pile up.
Then, mix a solution together using rubbing alcohol and water, both of equal parts. Apply this solution to a clean cloth and wipe the screen again, being sure to rid your smartphone or tablet of any germs.
Laptops
Start by shaking out the keyboard on your laptop to get any loose dust particles out of the way before cleaning. For the remaining dirt and dust, pick up a can of compressed air and spray directly onto the keyboard to get all unnecessary particles out of hidden crevices.
Then, take a damp microfiber cloth and run it across the screen to get rid of any spots or smudges that have been lingering around. If you own a touchscreen, do not use a damp microfiber cloth. Instead, eyeglass cleaner will work better.
Before finishing up, run the initial damp microfiber cloth across the keyboard once more.
Flat Screen Television & Projectors
You’ll want to entirely avoid any harsh chemicals on both of these devices, as the coatings that cover the screen are extremely sensitive. Instead, use a damp microfiber cloth to clean the screen.
You’ll then want to bring back the compressed air can to clean off the remote and any buttons on the television or projector, along with damp cotton swabs to get to the areas that the compressed air does not target.
Speakers
Damp microfiber cloths are really your best friend when it comes to electronics and that doesn’t change in regards to speakers. If your speakers have fabric-covered parts, these cloths will work magic on cleaning dust particles.
Bring the compressed air and cotton swabs back for areas that were not necessarily and entirely cleaned with the microfiber cloth. Last, wipe everything down with equal parts alcohol and water solution to kill all germs.
Cables & Wires
Always remove any dust that you can see using a damp microfiber cloth before going into cleaning the cables and wires around your electronics – especially the big dust bunnies. Then, all you have to do is make sure to sanitize all wires, plugs, and surrounding areas to be efficient.
