Cleaning and disinfecting devices is important for ensuring they're safe for students and staff to continue using. Below you'll find instructions on cleaning various electronic devices that are commonly touched.
For all of these, unless specified, a microfiber cloth is recommended, and it should be lightly damp with cleaner. An alcohol-based cleaner (isopropyl alcohol and distilled water) is recommended but must be used with care on screens (50% or less solution). See https://fireflycomputers.com/how-to-sanitize-a-chromebook/ for mixture amounts.
Note: These are electronic devices, and introducing water to them can and will cause damage when done without care. If you're spraying or otherwise applying liquid, do not apply directly to the device. Instead, apply to a cloth to wipe the device down with. Pre-soaked wipes can be useful for this, just be careful about the amount of liquid pooling on the device while cleaning.
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- Use only a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid abrasive cloths, towels, paper towels, or similar items.
- Avoid excessive wiping, which might cause damage.
- Unplug all external power sources, devices, and cables.
- Keep liquids away from the product, unless otherwise noted for specific products.
- Don't get moisture into any openings.
- Don't use aerosol sprays, bleaches, or abrasives.
- Don't spray cleaners directly onto the item.
Is it OK to use a disinfectant on my Apple product?
Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don't use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don't submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don't use on fabric or leather surfaces.
Mobile Devices
iPads and iPods can follow this as well, as it is based on the guides linked to above.
- Remove the device from its case, if it is in one
- Clean the case separately
- Turn off the device by holding down the power button until it prompts to shut off. Follow the prompt
- With a microfiber cloth, lightly damp with water, wipe down the screen of the device
- Move to the back and sides of the device, wiping it down with the same cloth. Be careful of any holes in it, to avoid allowing water into it.
Other notes and suggestions
One district's cleaning station: We are setting up a study table (with sides back and a top shelf, microfiber cloths that get changed by custodians daily, one wet, one dry rag, the pump dispensers that nail salons use so kids can't squirt each other, and a media monitor that runs a looping video on how to clean your cell phone and Chromebook. The solution we are using will consist of 70% isopropyl alcohol diluted with distilled water. See https://fireflycomputers.com/how-to-sanitize-a-chromebook/ for mixture amounts.
Other schools recommendations:
You can use mild bleach wipes on the keyboard and all the other non-screen parts. For the screens, we recommend nothing but a slightly damp cotton cloth.
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(make sure to let the keyboards dry etc...before you close the lids...)
Screens should ONLY be cleaned with a tiny bit of warm water on a cotton cloth, or with cleaning wipes/solutions specifically made for LCD / TV / Computer screens (and even then....test the cleaning wipes on one unit before doing a large batch....)
Anything that is abrasive (or has chemicals in it) should NEVER be used on the screens, they fog and streak VERY easily
I'd recommend an alcohol disinfectant wipe for keyboards and mice so as to not ruin the equipment.
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UV Sanitizer
Cordless devices like the HygenX Vray work well but do take several minutes to sanitize a device