Techie Germs

This post isn't about a virus on your computer; here we’re talking about the germs that you’ll probably find on the techie tools you use every day – your computer, phone, calculator, tablet, remote controls and game controllers. 

Your keyboard

Did you know that 93% of keyboards have a bacterial contamination?  One of the main causes of germs, apart from poor personal hygiene, is eating at your desk.  Crumbs will lead to bacteria growing in their millions.  To clean your keyboard, turn your computer off, wipe it down with a damp cloth, turn the keyboard upside down to shake out the crumbs and other bits that somehow end up in your keyboard, and then disinfect with alcohol wipes.

Your mobile phone

Most phones are contaminated with bugs ranging from salmonella to E. coli and staphylococcus aureus, which can result in some nasty stomach upsets.  You need to regularly wipe over your phone with disinfectant wipes, and don’t use your phone in the toilet!

Your earphones

Earphones increase the temperature and moisture in the ear, giving germs such as staphylococcus an ideal breeding ground.  In fact, the bacteria in your ear increases by 92% after wearing earphones for 30 minutes.  Your earphones can be cleaned by gently scrubbing the earpieces with a dry toothbrush to dislodge dirt, then dampen a lint-free cloth with a solution of warm water and mild soap and wipe them over.

This Infographic gives a few more tips on keeping yourself tech germ free

Source:  Keeping It Kleen

The easiest things you can do to minimise picking up something nasty from your techie devices is to:

• Regularly wash and dry your hands, especially before you use your computer and phone.
•  Don’t eat near your computer.