How to clean your gadgets

All gadgets accumulate dust and dirt over time. Gadgets such as your mobile phone and keyboard for your computer are used every day and are extra-susceptible to bacteria build-up.

To reduce the risk of spreading bacteria and viruses, and just to help your gadgets last longer, it’s important that you clean them regularly.

You don’t need advanced cleaning products. You just need some spare time and regular household items. Here's how to clean some of the most commonly used home gadgets.

Mobile phones and tablets

Mobile phones and tablets are really bacteria prone and we use them multiple times each day. Many people don’t think about cleaning their phones regularly - even though they can spread both the flu and the common cold virus.

It’s easy to clean a mobile phone or tablet yourself and it requires no more than a microfibre cloth and some disinfectant wipes. As long as you are careful and don’t use chemicals other than what the mobile manufacturers recommend, you’ll have a clean gadget again in no time. Remember to never use more liquid than is absolutely necessary when wiping your gadget.

Also, don’t use bleach or other chemicals that may affect the outer material. This also applies to any accessories such as leather cases which may become discoloured with the wrong detergent. Also avoid using compressed air.

How to clean your mobile phone and tablet

1. Turn off the mobile phone or tablet and remove the cover if it has one
2. Use a dry, clean microfibre cloth to wipe the outside of the unit
3. With a disinfectant wipe, gently clean the entire exterior
4. Allow the unit to dry for a few minutes, then wipe it again with the microfibre cloth
5. Repeat the cleaning process on the case – don’t forget to use a brand new disinfectant wipe

Headphones - both in-ear and over-ear

Headphones can quickly get really dirty and at least need to be wiped with a damp cloth every now and then. Especially in-ear headphones that are placed inside the ear where wax can get stuck on the inside and outside of the earbuds.

Cleaning your headphones is no trickier than any other tech gadget. All that is needed is a microfibre cloth, isopropanol and cotton buds. Keep in mind that different manufacturers have different advice on how their headphones should be cleaned. Check the manual or the manufacturer's website for tips on how to do it.

It’s easy to clean the headphones. This is how you do it:

1. Make sure the headphones are unplugged and turned off
2. Wipe the headphones with a microfibre cloth to remove any superficial dust and dirt
3. If the headphones have removable pads or ear plugs, remove them and gently clean them underneath. Take out any ear wax with a cotton bud or gently blow with a bellows - avoid using sharp objects!
4. Mix some mild soap and water, dip a lint-free cloth in the mixture so it becomes moist (Note: it should not be dripping wet, just moist)
5. Wipe all superficial parts with the damp cloth. If you clean the speaker grids or microphones, use a dry cotton pad and not the damp cloth.
6. Wait for all parts to dry properly before putting the headphones back on.

The computer keyboard

Keyboards for your computer need to be cleaned just like your mobile phone and tablet. Unlike the dirty screen on your mobile gadget, it’s rarely as obvious that the keys are dirty, but believe us when we say that they are at least as big a bacteria collector as the mobile phone you walk around with.

An important difference between the mobile phone and the tablet is that the cleaning of the keys is not as risk-free. Exposed electronics are located under the keys, which means you have to be extra careful when cleaning. With a little caution and the right things at home, however, there are no major problems.

Here are some things to keep in mind before you begin:

• Never use detergents that are sprayed directly onto the keyboard as these can leak down into the electronics and you risk ruining the keyboard, and in the worst case scenario, make your laptop unusable if that’s what you’ve got.
• If a lot of debris and dust has accumulated under the keys, you may need to temporarily remove them from the keyboard. However, be sure to do so only if the keyboard is designed for removal of the keys - check the manual first!
• If you use compressed air in a can, take extra care. Keep the nozzle away from the keyboard so as not to risk small drops of moisture that may accumulate on the electronics. Be extra careful, or avoid completely, on laptops.

This is how you clean the computer mouse

Just like with the keyboard, the computer mouse needs to be cleaned every now and then. The process is broadly similar. Make sure you have a dry microfiber cloth, cotton buds, isopropanol and possibly a toothpick available.

1. Make sure the computer mouse is off and disconnected from the computer. If it’s a wireless computer mouse with AA or AAA batteries, remove them.
2. Wipe the outside of the mouse with the microfibre cloth. Then take a lint-free cloth dipped in water or a mild mixture with soap and gently wipe the entire surface. Remember that the cloth should only be slightly moist and not drip.
3. Moisten the tip of a cotton bud with isopropanol. Carefully clean the sensor on the bottom of the mouse. Lightly swipe the sensor, don’t push.
4. Use a new cotton bud with isopropanol and gently wipe the scroll wheel, including the sides, and at all locations where skin deposits and dirt may get stuck. For example, at the edge of the buttons.
5. Allow the mouse to dry thoroughly and possibly wipe it with the microfibre cloth an extra time before putting it back on.
6. Don't forget the mouse pad! Mouse pads quickly accumulate skin deposits from the hand. Take a damp cloth and wipe off thoroughly. Now you have both a clean computer mouse and mouse pad!

Cleaning your camera and lens

Sooner or later, you’ll need to clean your camera equipment. With the right tools, this will only take a few minutes.

Handy accessories for cleaning your camera: Air blower, microfibre cloth, lens cleaning fluid, cleaning brush, lens pen.

Clean your camera in a clean and dust-free room so you won’t run the risk of more debris entering the camera when you remove the lens.

Most parts of your camera aren’t that sensitive to being cleaned. However, be particularly careful when cleaning the surface of the lens as even tiny particles can scratch the glass. Minor scratches rarely affect image quality, but they are both unnecessary and annoying to see.

Most sensitive is the camera’s sensor. If you have a mirrorless camera or a DSLR, sooner or later dust will accumulate on the sensor. It may be visible when you stop down the aperture to f/8 or more. Once the dust starts to become visible, it’s time to clean the senor.

Scratching the sensor can be a very expensive mistake, so only use special cleaning tools for the sensor. If you’re in the least bit unsure, contact an expert for help. Getting your camera sensor cleaned costs about thirty to fifty pounds.

1. Use an air blower to remove dust and other loose debris
2. Any remaining particles can be removed with your cleaning brush
3. Use your cleaning brush or lens pen to remove particles from the lens elements
4. You may need to use lens cleaning fluid to remove fingerprints and the like
5. Wipe your camera equipment clean with a microfibre cloth

It’s important that you don’t blow on the front lens element or try to create a mist that you then wipe off with a microfibre cloth. The reason for this is that you can end up with tiny water spots on the glass that are difficult to remove.