At the moment, with a hybrid model of schooling the norm many students and teachers will be using and sharing devices at school and home. Keeping them cleaned and disinfected will help arrest the spread of germs and lengthen the life of the device. However, it’s important to understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention coronavirus website says:
“Cleaning physically removes germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces or objects by using soap (or detergent) and water. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.”
Firstly then, try to refer to any manufacturer’s instructions – which may be available on their website – on how to clean/disinfect and care for a specific device. If there are no specific instructions, the following advice should still be useful.
Always make sure that you always switch off and unplug any device before cleaning and disinfecting it. At the least, this prevents any damage to the device and at best it can prevent an electrical accident.
Don’t spray liquids directly onto devices as the liquid can find a way into the smallest of openings and cause damage. Spray the liquid onto a cloth and wipe the device gently yet thoroughly.
Use a microfibre cloth or disinfectant wipes if possible, to minimise the risk of scratching the screen. Even paper towels or kitchen roll can be surprisingly abrasive.
Finally, try and make the cleaning of devices a regular habit and a straightforward procedure, which will reduce the risk of spreading germs unnecessarily.
