Whatever your work-from-home set-up – whether it’s a couple of books on your kitchen table precariously propping up your laptop or a full-blown home office in the spare room – after more than a month of using the space, it could probably do with a bit of a spring clean.
Get in the habit of cleaning your devices at least once a week, here’s how to clean them…
How to clean your screens
Apple released new advice for the cleaning of its products last month, with these recommendations: “Using a 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don’t use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don’t submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don’t use on fabric or leather surfaces.”
As iPhones are really just mini computers, the above advice would work for any screen.
All screens can also be wiped with a soft, lint-free or microfiber cloth, to get rid of any smudges, dirt and debris. Avoid abrasive cloths, towels, paper towels, or other materials that will scratch the surface.
Traditional cleaning products – even natural remedies like vinegar – will likely damage your device’s coating, so steer clear. If you are using a isopropyl solution, as recommended by Apple, do not spray directly on to your devices; always apply to a microfibre cloth and then proceed.
Extra cleaning for your phone…
For your phone, which is likely to be attracting the most germs, you may want to think about investing in a UV light sanitiser.
How to keep your keyboard clean
To clean your laptop or computer keyboard, start by shutting down your device and unplugging the power adaptor. Turn the laptop or keyboard upside down and shake it out to get rid of stray dirt and crumbs.
A compressed air duster is handy here: use it to dislodge any remaining particles. Another hack is to run the sticky side of a Post It note in between the keys – it’ll collect any dust and crumbs in its path. Or get a paint brush or large make-up brush and use it to sweep out any strays.
Then, lightly dampen a microfibre cloth and run it over any plastic or metal surfaces, making sure there’s no excess water.
How to keep your headphones healthy
Clean over-the-ear headphones with a microfibre cloth dampened with water. Then use soap and water to clean the casing, making sure to focus on areas that come into the most contact with your hair or skin.
If your ear pads are leather, use a specialised leather cleaner, otherwise, wipe them down with baby wipes, using cotton buds to get at hard-to-reach areas in the folds or stitching.
AirPods and other in-ear devices should be wiped down with a dry cloth to prevent any damage to the electronics inside. Use a soft bristle brush, or even a clean toothbrush, to remove dirt and debris in those hard-to-get-to crevices.