Lockdown life hack: Here’s how to disinfect your keyboard and mouse

Now that we’re in a 21-day nation-wide lockdown amid the coronavirus spread, it might just be the opportune time to give that dirty ol’ keyboard and mouse a proper clean.

Believe it or not, but your keyboard may actually be the dirtiest object in your home. According to the University of Arizona, it contains more bacteria than a toilet seat.

But don’t you worry: A good scrubbing and your keyboard and mouse will be good as new. And it will take less than ten minutes! Here’s how.

How to clean your keyboard

Start by unplugging your keyboard. If it’s wireless, turn it off. If you’re cleaning your laptop’s keyboard, turn the laptop off and disconnect the charging cable.

It won’t hurt to remove the batter, too, if it’s removable. Once everything is disconnected, flip it upside down and shake as though your life depends on it. This will loosen the debris.

Now for the tricky part: to get rid of the grime between and underneath the keys. If you have cleaning slime around the house, use that. If not, clear sticky tape – or that pesky role of brown packaging tape – will work too.

Fold the sticky tape over itself and push it in between and under the keys to pick up any loose pieces of dirt. Alternatively, try to run a cotton bud underneath the keys, or even a clean makeup brush.

Clean the tops of the keys with disinfectant, but don’t use bleach as it will damage your device. If you’re using wipes, make sure they aren’t too damp. Disassemble the keyboard at your own risk.

I learned this the hard way… Most manufacturers discourage users from disassembling keyboards as it will void your warranty.

How to disinfect your mouse

Next up, the mouse; it’s also packed with germs. If it’s a wired mouse, unplug it from your laptop or PC and remove the batteries. If it’s wireless, switch it off.

Start with the bottom of the mouse; chances are there’ll be little patches of evil on the anti-slippery rubber bits and along the edge. A quick wipe with disinfectant should remove most of the dirt.

Ensure that the wipes aren’t too damp, and go real gentle-like around the edges: You don’t want any moisture to get into the openings. Remember to clean your laptop’s touchpad too.

And the most important part: Make sure everything is dry before you plug it in and switch it back on again. If your wipes weren’t too damp, drying shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes.