How To Clean Your Electronic Devices

We spend our lives surrounded by electronic devices. However clean you might keep your house, when was the last time you gave your phone or laptop a thorough scrubbing? Many people are understandably nervous about how to clean electronics without causing damage. The last thing you want is to get your new phone or computer wet and invalidate its warranty!

Our cleaning Pros are here to help. If you need to know how to clean your electronic devices, look no further than the expert tips below.

How to clean a computer

Your computer represents a significant financial investment. You want to keep it working well, and that means keeping it clean. Computer keyboards, mice, and touchpads are also high-touch surfaces that often get overlooked during routine cleaning. In an office environment, they can quickly become home to whole colonies of germs and bacteria. And if you’ve ever eaten lunch or a snack over your keyboard, you know the mess that can make! Our cleaning Pros have seen it all, so follow their tips to keep your computer clean.

• How to clean a computer screen

If you haven’t cleaned the screen in a while, you might be surprised by how much dust your computer collects. Fingerprints can also reduce the functions of your screen. To keep your computer screen clean, wipe it regularly with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. This will remove most of the dust and smudges.

If your computer screen is very dirty, you might need a laptop cleaner. You can purchase computer monitor cleaning kits, but check they’re suitable for your screen. A cleaner designed for a glass screen could damage an LCD screen, for example. Surprisingly, the best cleaning solution is distilled water. It’s the cleaner recommended by every computer manufacturer, including Apple.

Step 1: First, unplug and turn off your computer. 

Step 2: Wipe the screen with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.

Step 3: Moisten the cloth with a small amount of distilled water. It should be just damp, not dripping.

Step 4: Wipe the screen with the damp cloth to remove dirt and smudges.

Step 5: Dry the screen with a clean, dry cloth.

Distilled water will almost always get the job done. If you do need extra cleaning power, use 70% isopropyl alcohol. Moisten a cloth with the alcohol and wipe the screen, following the above instructions. Avoid using any sprays, solvents, or harsh cleaners that could damage your computer.

• How to clean a computer keyboard

Computer keyboards are notorious for collecting dust, dirt, and crumbs, but they can be cleaned! Just follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Unplug the keyboard from the computer and remove batteries for wireless devices.

Step 2: Turn the keyboard upside down and give it a good shake.

Step 3: Run a damp lint-free cloth over the keys to remove dust and dirt.

Step 4: To remove dirt from under the keys, use a can of compressed air.

Step 5: Dip a Q-tip in a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and run it between the keys.

How to clean keyboards on laptops

If your keyboard is built into your computer, turn off the whole machine. Use compressed air to dislodge any debris from under the keys, then wipe down the keyboard with a barely moistened microfiber cloth. You can also use a soft-bristled brush to help move any dust or dirt from around the keys.

How to clean a phone

Your cell phone is the device you’re most likely to have with you at all times, and that means it can get dirty, fast. Skin oils from your face and fingers, lint from your pocket or purse, and all kinds of accidental drops and spills can result in a dirty phone. One study found that phones harbor thousands of bacteria and viruses, including E. coli.

But don’t panic! Our cleaning Pros know the tricks to keep your phone clean and sanitized.

• How to clean a phone screen

You should clean your phone at least a couple of times per week. Ideally more. Think about all the places your phone goes with you, and all the potential contaminants it comes into contact with. It’s no wonder your phone is one of the dirtiest objects you touch on a regular basis.

Step 1: Remove your phone from its case and turn it off.

Step 2: Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe away any smudges and dirt on the phone.

Step 3: Dampen the cloth with a little distilled water to tackle stubborn stains, taking care to avoid any ports.

Step 4: Use a dry microfiber cloth to buff moisture off the phone.

Step 5: Allow to air dry for 5-10 minutes.

Step 6: Replace the cover and turn the phone back on.

The majority of modern cell phones today are water-resistant. That means they can get a little bit wet without suffering any damage. However, it’s best practice to avoid getting water into any internal parts of the phone through ports or speaker holes and to thoroughly dry the phone after it comes into contact with moisture.

How to sanitize a cell phone

It’s not enough just to clean your phone. At least once a week, you should be sanitizing it as well. That’s the only way to kill bacteria and viruses that could be lurking on its surface. The best way to sanitize your phone is to use bleach-free disinfectant wipes like Lysol Disinfecting Wipes or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Simply follow the steps above, and after cleaning any dirt with a damp microfiber cloth, use a disinfecting wipe to kill bacteria.

Pay attention to the instructions on the disinfecting wipes. For them to be effective, you have to apply a minimum amount of disinfecting solution. You also need to leave the solution on the phone for a few minutes to give it time to work.

Cleaning a phone with UV light

You may have seen UV light cleaners available for cell phones and other small electronics. These really work! UV light is a very effective disinfectant. However it can only kill bacteria and viruses, it can’t remove smudge marks or trapped dirt. So a UV light cleaner could be part of your phone cleaning kit, but it isn’t the whole story. If you want to purchase a UV light cleaner, look for one by a reputable brand with tested, proven results.

How to clean a TV

Cleaning a TV used to be easy. The large glass screens could handle almost any cleaner. But today’s modern TV screens can be much more delicate, making cleaning them a tricky task. LCD, plasma, and rear-projection screens can be damaged by traditional wet cleaning, so always follow the steps below.

Step 1: Turn off the TV at the wall.

Step 2: Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove dust and smudges. Take care not to press on the screen, always use a light touch.

Step 3: Spot-clean tough marks with a cleaning wipe designed for use on electronics.

Step 4: Dry the screen with a microfiber cloth.

Step 5: Turn the TV back on.

You might have seen pre-treated dusting cloths marketed as TV screen cleaners. These cloths are often embedded with polishing oil that can leave greasy marks on your TV screen. It’s safer using just a small amount of distilled water.

Don’t spray liquids onto your TV screen, always apply them by slightly moistening a microfiber cloth. Spraying liquids can result in internal damage if they get inside the unit. A spray with too much force can also cause pressure damage to the screen itself.

Once you’ve cleaned your TV, don’t forget the remote! Remove the batteries and use Clorox or Lysol disinfecting wipes to remove any dirt and germs.

Can you clean electronics with alcohol?

Alcohol makes a good cleaner for electronic devices, but it should be the right type. Always use a 70% solution of isopropyl alcohol as an electronic cleaner. You can purchase isopropyl alcohol in different concentrations, usually from 60-90%. However, 70% solutions have been found to be the most effective at killing bacteria in the shortest amount of time.

Final thoughts

Keeping your electronic devices clean is important for controlling germs in your home, and for making your devices easier to use. Dust and fingerprint marks can accumulate quickly on screens. You might not realize how much they’ve impacted your viewing quality until after you clean them! However many people overlook cleaning their electronics, either through forgetfulness or because they’re worried about causing damage to delicate devices.

You can clean your electronic devices very effectively with a simple microfiber cloth. This will remove most dust and dirt. However, to sanitize your devices, you should also use a bleach-free disinfectant wipe or 70% isopropyl alcohol solution. This will ensure your devices are clean and sanitized, making your home a healthier place to live.