Can I disinfect my tech?

For over a week I have been trying, largely unsuccessfully, to recover from a killer cold. Pulling my iPhone and a wad of used tissues out of my coat pocket, it occured to me that I probably need to figure out how to disinfect my tech. Specifically, my phone, my laptop, and the keyboard at work.



Cleaning technology is always tricky. Last year I actually broke a keyboard through my overaggressive cleaning - not sure what did it, the cleaning fluid, the compressed air, or a combination of the both.



According to the Apple web site, I can clean my mouse, keyboard and trackpad using disinfecting wipes (I like Purell Sanitizing Wipes which use alcohol and won't create "super bugs"). They recommend turning off and unplugging the computer first, and avoiding wipes which are overly damp or contain bleach.



It gets a little tricker when we're talking about touch screens, such as on the iPhone and iPad. In both cases it's recommended that I only clean the screens with a soft, lint-free cloth. The back and sides of the devices can be cleaned with a damp, slightly damp cloth.



Because I am obsessive about using screen protectors and cases, I removed both cases and wiped them down with the same Purell wipes. Having found a good deal on extra screen protectors through eBay, I simply replaced the dirty protectors with clean ones.



Don't want to wipe down your tech with sanitizing wipes? Another option is a portable UV sanitizing scanner.



There are several makes and models available, each claiming to kill 99.99% of surface bacteria and viruses by using ultraviolet light. (I say claim because, let's face it, I can't really tell if the viruses are dead. And if I don't wipe down the item, it's still going to look grimy).



Of course, if a UV scanner can help me avoid another cold like this one, I certainly may put one of these on my holiday wish list:



Nano-UV Sanitizing and Disinfecting Light Scanner ($80)
UV Sanitizer Wand ($50)
Mini Sanitizer Wand ($30)



Do you take the time to clean your tech? How do you avoid doing more damage than good?