If you're reading this on your laptop - apologies! This won't make for comfortable reading, but the odds are your computer and the other equipment in your home office is covered in dust, grime and germs. A study by CompareMyMobile found that keyboards have a shocking six times more bacteria than a toilet seat.
Considering how often we use our laptops, Macs and PCs, it should come as no surprise that they collect their fair share of crumbs, dirt and fluff. We'll be the first to admit that we're guilty of snacking while we work and unless you stop to wash your hands before replying to that high priority email, the chances are you're transferring food residue to your keyboard, mouse or touchscreen. This can lead to a build-up of bacteria that means we, in turn, could be picking up all sorts of germs from computer keys, screens and buttons.
This is why it's important not to skip your latop and other home office equipment when you clean. Here's how to tackle them.
How to clean your computer screen
It's only when you turn off your computer screen that you notice all the dust and dirt, so start by doing this. Use a microfibre cloth, like the E-Cloth Glass & Polishing Cloth, to get rid of smudges, wiping away the grime in a circular motion. Careful not to press on the screen too hard, as this can damage it.
If a dry cloth isn’t enough to remove stubborn grime, you could consider using a screen cleaning spray or screen cleaning wipes. Make sure you check the care advice provided by your computer's manufacturer first, as some may not recommend using a spray or wipes.
If a spray is OK to use, use it to spritz a clean, lint-free cloth rather than spraying onto the screen itself. Then, use the cloth to gently wipe away the dirt. Never use traditional cleaning products to remove dirt from any of the screens around your home.
How to clean your keyboard
If you're cleaning a laptop keyboard, make sure you switch off your laptop first. For separate keyboards, unplug from your PC. Turn it upside down to dislodge any loose crumbs or dirt but resist the urge to shake it.
Next, take a sticky note and fold it in half so that the sticky strip is on the outside. Run the sticky edges through the lines between the keys. Once the sticky edges are full of dust, repeat the process again using a new post-it note. This simple cleaning hack should help to remove any stubborn fluff, but if this isn't enough, use a can of compressed air to blow away any remaining dust from deep between the keys without causing any damage.
To clean the top of the keys, wipe them down with a baby wipe or an antibacterial keyboard wipe.
How to clean your computer mouse
Start by unplugging your mouse and removing its batteries or turning it off. Use an antibacterial wipe to clean the whole mouse. Make sure the wipe isn’t overly damp to avoid getting moisture into small openings.
If your mouse has a trackball in the bottom, move it around to displace any dirt. If there’s grime that won’t budge, release the ball by turning the disc that holds it in place and clean both the trackball and the cavity it sits in using a dry, lint-free cloth. You could also use compressed air to dislodge stubborn dirt.
For a laptop touch-pad, switch off the computer and clean it with a keyboard wipe, LCD wipe or with the cloth you used to clean your screen.
How to clean your laptop
Before cleaning your laptop, unplug it and turn it off. Use the cloth or wipe you used to clean your screen and wipe it across your whole device. To get rid of dust in the crevices of your laptop, use a can of compressed air to remove it.
To disinfect the outside of your laptop, use an antibacterial wipe - let it dry off a little first to get rid of excess moisture. Don’t run it over any of the crevices of your device.