Your phone goes everywhere with you. Your laptop sits on your desk collecting crumbs from lunch. Your headphones get sweaty during workouts, and your TV remote passes through everyone's hands. These devices are constant companions, yet most of us barely think about cleaning them until they're visibly grimy.
The reality is sobering: studies consistently show that everyday devices harbor shocking amounts of bacteria. And the problem isn't just that our tech is dirty — it's that we often clean it incorrectly. Harsh cleaners, too much moisture, and wrong techniques can damage equipment, no matter how cheap or expensive it is.
Here's how to clean your gadgets safely without risking a fried circuit or voided warranty.
1. Phones and tablets
Switch off your device and remove the case. For a thorough clean, wipe the screen and back with a microfibre or lint-free cloth dampened with a 50/50 mix of water and 70% isopropyl alcohol, or use screen-safe wipes.
Even if you don't have isopropyl alcohol, a cloth slightly dampened with distilled water works well for regular maintenance — just ensure it's barely damp, not wet. Avoid ports and speakers where moisture causes damage.
To lift lint from crevices around buttons and charging ports, use dry cotton buds. When it comes to washing your phone case, do this in warm, soapy water and dry completely before reattaching.
Clean daily if possible, or weekly at minimum. Avoid household cleaners and hand sanitizers as they degrade protective coatings and harm internal components.
2. Laptops and keyboards
Power down and unplug, then turn your laptop upside down and shake gently to loosen debris. Use compressed air or a soft brush to remove stubborn bits, but go easy to avoid damaging keys.
Using or the 50/50 water and isopropyl alcohol mix, lightly dampen a microfibre cloth then wipe the keys and touchpad. Never spray liquid directly. For screens, use only screen-cleaning solution with a microfibre cloth in circular motions — household glass cleaner strips protective coatings.
Weekly wipe-downs and monthly deep cleans keep your laptop running cooler and quieter. And for quick crumb removal after eating at your desk, for example, keep a soft brush handy.
3. TVs and monitors
Unplug first, then wipe with a dry microfibre cloth in circular motions. For stubborn marks, lightly dampen the cloth with screen-safe spray — never spray directly onto screens as liquid runs into bezels and damages electronics.
Clean the TV remote by removing batteries first, then wipe with an antibacterial wipe or dampened cloth. In the places where serious grime accumulates like between buttons, you can use cotton buds.
4. Headphones
Power off, unplug, and remove detachable ear tips or cushions. Next, wipe surfaces with a dry microfibre cloth, then use a soft brush or cotton bud to lift debris from speaker grilles and seams.
For deeper cleaning, use a very lightly damp cloth on ear tips — emphasis on lightly. Never soak parts or allow moisture near speaker drivers or charging ports. Replace worn ear tips regularly, as sometimes fresh cushions are the best solution.
For over-ear headphones with leather or fabric cushions, wipe gently with a cloth dampened with water and a tiny drop of mild soap, then wipe again with a clean damp cloth to remove soap residue. Never soak parts or allow moisture near speaker drivers or charging ports.
Clean headbands on over-ear models by wiping with a barely damp cloth, paying attention to areas where sweat and oils accumulate from your hair and forehead. For fabric headbands, a lint roller removes dust and hair between deeper cleans.
5. Game consoles and controllers
Power down and unplug everything. You can use compressed air or a soft brush to clear dust from vents, ports and seams — clogged vents cause overheating, noisy fans and shorter lifespans.
Wipe surfaces and controllers with barely damp microfibre cloths or well-wrung antibacterial wipes. And for button crevices where fingers press repeatedly, use cotton buds or a dry toothbrush.
Monthly cleaning prevents build-up that leads to performance issues and component failure. Just make sure to avoid spraying anything directly or using alcohol-heavy wipes near vents.
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