The age of technology has arrived, bringing with it a barrage of technological gadgets immerses in our living spaces.  These gadgets are so integrated into our lives that our interaction with them has become nested into our unconscious – we physically touch them – often several times a day, along with many other people adding to the myriad of sources that add to the germs that they gather. But have we ever stopped to ask what germs and filth do they collect over long periods of time? Perhaps not! According to Dr. Jeffery Cain, President of the American Academy of Family Physicians “People are just as likely to get sick from their phones as from handles of the bathroom”.

Here are the top three tech gadget perpetrators of filthiness that would make Sheldon Cooper cringe in agony. Maidstr, an on-demand home cleaning company based in Toronto, proposes quick steps to clean these filthy gadgets.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones are perhaps one of the most common items with which we interact daily – just take a look around. Simply put, we can’t help but transfer the bacteria that we gather throughout the day onto these handy little gadgets. Some of this bacteria we transfer consciously; some unconsciously.  In fact studies have shown that more than 15 percent of mobile phones have fecal matter on their surface, another Sheldon Cooper cringer!

How to clean:

wipe down with isopropyl alcohol or disinfectant wipes daily. Never use liquid or spray spraying directly on the surface. Frequent wipe downs will keep your phone looking clean and germ free. And of course don’t forget to give your hands a good cleaning after germ producing activity to lessen germ transfer.

Laptops

Like mobile phones, laptops are no different. Not only are there screen surfaces that house a bevy of bacteria but the buttons and their crevices provide even more hiding places for bacteria to breed. Have you ever stopped and just even taken a look at your own laptop keyboard and see the crumbs of food that are building little colonies right before your eyes? Well here is how to clean your laptop safely.

How to clean:

1. Disconnect power source
2. Dust off the laptop with a cleaning rag to remove loose dust
3. Turn upside down and / or remove dirt stuck between the keys on your keyboard with compressed air or a computer vacuum.
4. Remove dirt from your laptop’s vents with the bristles of a dry toothbrush used only for cleaning your gadgets. (Note: compressed air is not recommended for use on computer vents because the propellant may contain moisture, as they have the potential to damage electronic components
5. Wipe the entire keyboard, using either wipes or cotton balls slightly-dampened with alcohol
6. Use a slightly damp cotton swab to get to those crevices and corners that a surface wiping may miss.
7. Wipe laptop screen gently with a lint-free cloth, dampened with hot water to kill bacteria OR better yet screen cleaner, made specifically for this type of cleaning.
8. Allow to air dry before turning on.

Remote Controls

We love our remote control – in fact it is the most commonly fought after mini gadget in our environs. Like a mobile phone which is often used by one person at a time, the compound of accumulation of germs on a remote control is alarming.  In addition to containing remnants of urine, and feces, TV remote controls can also play host to a number of cold viruses and other germs. Maidstr suggests the following steps to get your remote control bacteria and dirt free.

How to clean:

1. Remove the batteries
2. Clean the area around the buttons. Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl rubbing alcohol to gently clean the crevices surrounding the buttons
3. Wipe the remaining surface of the remote
4. Put the batteries back in

Interested in more tips and tricks on how to keep a sparkling clean living and working environment? Go to www.maidstr.com and subscribe to our blog!