Write More in 24! Start the Year Off with Our Tips for Writers Starting with Computer Hygiene

Listen to or download this article:

We want to share advice on how to care for arguably the most important tool in a writer’s toolbox.

Our computers!

It stores your intellectual property, aids in getting words from your brain into little alphabet letters that add up to a story. And for most of us, enables us to create what we love most—books and stories!

Your hardworking computer – whether it is a desktop, laptop, pad, or your own Mad Maxx creation of technologies (like Argus’s), deserves a little bit of attention.

We often forget how important it is to maintain a clean computer on the inside and outside, even if our desk and the surrounding area is spotless. Here are a few tips to get you started. And, yes, this is your annual reminder!

1. Clean your keyboard, mice, screens, smart phones, laptops, and electronic devices.

Cleaning Keyboards

Wipe it down with a slightly damp microfiber cloth, dry it with a different cloth, and then use a disinfectant wipe or a cloth just damp with rubbing alcohol to finish it out (do not use bleach!). Probably best to do this when your computer and keyboard are unplugged because keyboards are actually quite delicate inside.

Gross stuff under the keycaps. Maintenance will prevent your computer keyboard from getting to this state.

Also, you can turn your keyboard or laptop upside down and give it a gentle shake or two about once a week. Gentle being the operative word. You may be surprised to see what falls out of it.

If you want more detailed information, visit this wikiHow site page: How to Clean a Keyboard

The operative word is GENTLY and then just for a few seconds. Do this every week or so.

I received one of these OXO Good Grips Sweep and Swipe in my Christmas stocking last year. I adore it! And use it–especially when I am at my computer on a phone call. Gives me something to fidget with. The brush works well on the keyboard and small places on devices. The red “screen cleaner” not so much, but it does remove smudges from touch screens. Available at most hyper-markets and, of course, on Amazon.

We’ve even seen Argus vacuum his keyboards. But, that is up to you.

Really consider giving this a try. Your keyboard will feel cleaner. All the bits of dust and crumbs of food you’ve learned to ignore will be gone, and it will be such a pleasant experience for your hands.

A compressed air canister for electronics can also be really useful to blow dust and debris out from the keys. (wikiHow) Be sure to keep the nozzle about a half an inch above the keyboard.

Not convinced. Here are some statistics:

Researchers found that the keyboards contained more 7,000 microorganisms, while headphones had more than 2,000.
A British consumer group, conducted a study on workspace hygiene. They swabbed hundreds of their own keyboards and pieces of office equipment. They found that the average keyboard contains more bacteria than the average toilet seat.
Don’t get QWERTY Tummy – named for the stomach bug caught from keyboards and cell phones.

Cleaning Screens

We’ve all had that experience of editing and suddenly an errant apostrophe or period appears where there ought not to be one. We click on it to edit it, but something about the way it appears doesn’t quite make sense, and then we can’t delete it from the page. That’s when it clicks. The screen is just dirty.

To clean it, a microfiber cloth is always the recommendation. Always dab any cleaning solution (Windex and/or a little bit of mild soap and water are recommended but check before trying anything else!) onto the cloth not directly on the screen itself.

I just spotted these electronic wipes (images below). Now I’m going to get some for the office. They are anti-static cleaning wipes for LCD screens, computers, tablets, smart phones, laptops, touchscreens, and TVs and gaming consoles. Available at most hyper-markets and, of course, on Amazon. Miracle Wipes for Electronics, Individual Pre-Moistened Lens Wipes ALIBEISS (great for coffee shop writing and while traveling), and Weiman Electronic Wipes, along with reusable personal electronics microfiber cleaning cloths.

And while you are in cleaning mode, clean your personal mobile phone device, your Kindle, your tablets, your gaming device, the remote controls for TV, and etc.