As workers around the country return to the offices they were forced to hastily abandon at the start of the pandemic, they’re bringing with them a heightened awareness of cleanliness.
While weekend wipe-downs may have cut it in the past, you’ll need to take a more proactive approach to office cleanliness now, and your team will need reassurance that the environment is as safe and germ-free as possible.
Since you may never before have thought about how to give a deep clean to some devices and items around the office, it’s worth looking into how to do it without causing damage.
Here are some office devices that you may want to give a bit more attention to, and some guidance on how to safely clean them
Smartphone / Tablet
Phones and tablets contain a fancy fingerprint-resistant coating called oleophobic that can be damaged by certain cleaning products. Manufacturers recommend wiping down your phone or tablet screen with a microfiber cloth and distilled water.
To clean between buttons, you can use a cotton swab, and a microfiber cloth can be used to clean the camera lens to avoid blurry photos.
Be sure to steer clear of cleaning fluids like window spray! If you are using an Apple product, the company has said that it is safe to use a Clorox Disinfecting Wipe or a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe.
Laptop
Worried your QWERTY may be dirty? It’s time to clean your laptop.
It’s a good idea to start with the keyboard. Good Housekeeping suggests first using a can of compressed air to blow any dust or crumbs that may be stuck between the keys on the keyboard.
The next step is to use a disinfecting wipe to clean the top of the keyboard and the keys. Be sure you use light pressure while doing so, as you do not want to soak the keyboard with the disinfectant.
To clean an LCD screen, use an LCD screen cleaner with a microfiber cloth to prevent streaks. For a touchscreen, you can use water or eyeglass cleaner with a microfiber cloth.
Headphones / Earbuds
Cleaning headphones is essential, especially if you also use them at the gym. The disgusting truth is, in-ear headphones can contribute to bacterial growth in your ears if not properly sanitized.
To start cleaning, if your earbuds have silicone tips, you can remove them and use warm soapy water and a cloth. If the earbud is foam, use a damp cloth and let them air dry.
If the metal grille on the earpiece is dirty, use a dry toothbrush to remove dirt. A warm soapy cloth can also be used to clean over-the-ear headphones and cables.
Airpods and other headphones without ear tips should be cleaned only with a microfiber cloth and a dab of adhesive putty to remove wax and dust.
Desktop Monitor
While a clean monitor may not solve Zoom call fatigue, a clear screen versus a streaky one is much more satisfying to stare at all day.
If you use an LCD screen, clean it with a microfiber cloth dampened with distilled water or another LCD screen cleaner. For a touch screen, use a microfiber cloth and water or eyeglass cleaner. Any plastic parts around the screen can be cleaned using window cleaner or water.
While you’re cleaning your monitor, make sure to also clean your mouse. Use a microfiber cloth for the body of the mouse, and a cotton swab with a half isopropyl alcohol and half water solution to clean crevices.
TV
While you may not physically touch the TV screens around the office, they still collect a ton of dust and bacteria.
To clean a flat-screen TV, apply water to a microfiber cloth and gently wipe down the screen. Avoid using a glass cleaner, as it can scratch the screen or damage the anti-reflective coating on many screens.
Smart Speaker
Smart speakers with screens can be cleaned with a screen-cleaning wipe and the fabric parts with a microfiber cloth.
For plastic devices, you can use a slightly dampened microfiber cloth. If the grille is looking grimy, dab it with some adhesive putty first.
Game Console
Play hard, clean harder. Game controllers and consoles can get particularly dirty.
When cleaning them, start by dusting off the console with a microfiber cloth or a Swiffer Duster. Then clean the console with a microfiber cloth dampened with water. To clean the crevices, use a cotton swab dipped in water.
For controllers, a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol on a microfiber cloth will do the trick. Wipe the controller thoroughly and use a cotton swab for small spaces.
Smart Watches / Fitness Trackers
Just like headphones, these gadgets can get nasty.
If the screen isn’t waterproof, use a small amount of water on a microfiber cloth to clean it.
If you wear sunscreen or other skin products on your wrist, you’ll need to use a skin cleanser like Cetaphil to clean the band. If there are stains on your band, try using a rubber eraser or a mixture of baking soda and water with a wet cloth.
Keep in mind that different band materials call for different cleaning methods: nylon bands can be cleaned with a mixture of dish detergent and water, metal bands with a lint-free cloth and water, and leather bands with water and a microfiber cloth.
Remote Controls
Any remote controls around the office, especially those being used by more than one person, will need regular cleaning.
Good Housekeeping recommends removing the batteries and then using a cloth dampened with a cleaning agent to wipe the surface. A cotton swab can be used for cleaning in between buttons.
Office Badge
A study by IT training company CBT Nuggets revealed that electronic ID badges were the dirtiest of five common office items. Gross.
Badges and plastic ID cards should be cleaned regularly with an antibacterial or alcohol wipe.
Ready to Clean?
You and your team are working hard to stay healthy while getting things up and running. Adding in some careful cleaning to new routines will make sure your devices aren’t working against you.
Keep Reading
- Slow Internet in your Co-working Space? Here’s What You Can Do About It.
- How To Set Up Your Office Network When Moving
- Want To Speak IT? Know These Essential Terms.
