January Is National Clean Up Your Computer Month

     Since there is a holiday or month for just about every cause imaginable, it should come as no surprise that cleaning your computer now has its own official month, awarded by none other than “The Vinegar Institute.” But before you dismiss this as a marketing ploy, consider this little factoid:

     ABC news reported that a study in England revealed that the average office keyboard had bacteria and germ levels up to five times higher than those commonly found on a toilet seat.

     The study, headed up by Dr. James Francis, a British microbiologist, took culture samples from 33 office keyboards in London, and compared these samples to swabs taken from toilet seats in the same office buildings.  That gives new meaning to the term “computer virus.”  So how do you not only disinfect your keyboard but also get those annoying smudges and fingerprints off your monitor? Here are a few tips:

1. Turn off the monitor.  It is not required, but it makes smudges and smears easier to see. 
2. Use a compressed air to get rid of light dust buildup in your keyboard and screen.  Never use a dishrag or paper towel to clean your monitor since they can scratch the screen and you never want to use water on your keyboard!
3. Do not use products with ethyl alcohol or ammonia-based products to clean your monitor.  Products like Windex can yellow flat-screen or laptop monitors. Instead, use a cleaning product designed for monitors and use a lint-free cloth designed for the job. Because each monitor manufacturer has its own special instructions for cleaning, be sure to read the recommendations before attempting to clean your monitor.
4. Lightly moisten your cloth with rubbing alcohol or cleaning solution to wipe off your mouse or keyboard areas.  Never apply the liquid directly to the screen, keyboard or other electronic parts.
5. A Q-tip dipped in alcohol will quickly clean your keyboard. Just make sure you do not drip the liquid down between the keys.