Here’s How to Keep Your Technology Clean and Tidy

Desk and digital hygiene might not seem to have a serious impact on your workday, but they affect it in more ways than one. You want to make physical cleanliness a priority, as well as digital cleanliness, so you can get as much out of your devices as possible. Here’s how you can do it.

How Device Cleanliness Affects Device Performance

Ever notice how a clean workspace can also clear up your headspace? The same goes for your technology’s performance and longevity.

Throughout the day, your keyboard, mouse, and monitors will be subject to all manner of dust, crumbs, spills, and oils from your hands, all of which can impact their performance as time goes on. You might even get sick from all the bacteria, which means it impacts your personal health as well. Take care of your IT for your own sake, if for no other reason.

A cleanliness routine is the easiest way to remember this important task.

Specific Examples of Poor Device Hygiene

Your mouse, keyboard, and monitors are likely to be the most in need of better device hygiene.

Debris can fall into your keyboard, which makes the keys stick and can have a serious impact on performance over time. The keys might even become unresponsive if it gets too gross, which could erode your productivity and add unnecessary costs to your hardware budget. Even your mouse can get nasty on the underside; check the optical sensor periodically and ensure it isn’t obstructed.

Your monitors, too, can get a little grimy if you touch them; fingerprints left over can apply smudges and make the information harder to read.

How to Clean Your Devices

Your device also might need a little dedicated cleanliness help, depending on what it is. Here are some universal rules that apply to just about any device:

• Don’t use harsh chemicals or abrasive materials to clean your screens or components. Instead, use a microfiber cloth with a little water or electronic-safe cleaning solution. Never spray anything directly onto your peripherals.
• Flip your keyboard upside-down and shake it gently to knock loose debris, crumbs, or skin particles that have fallen between the keys.
• Use a can of compressed air to clear out dust and particles from your internal components, taking care to blow it away from them as much as possible.

If you can get into a routine of doing this, it will be a far less intensive process each time you carry it out (and less gross, too).

For more ways to take better care of your business technology, be sure to keep an eye on our blog or call us at (336) 900-0030.