Four Common Ways People Damage Their Equipment While Cleaning
Technological devices are so dirty, but we rarely think about it because they have become an extension of ourselves. My phone stays in my hand after I touch doorknobs, subway poles, exercise equipment, and more, and then goes under my pillow while I sleep, surely polluting my breathing space. And don’t get me started on my headphones that roll around in the bottom of my bag and bump into who knows what before I shove them right in my face. It really is that disgusting, and once I realized that, I started cleaning these things much more thoroughly and more often.
However, I have learned that you can clean them completely wrong. Don’t let the fear of germs and dirt lead to unintentional damage to your expensive equipment. It’s counterproductive. Damn, I’d rather take the germs. So, here is a list of common mistakes you may make when cleaning your devices and how to avoid them.
Using the wrong solutions
The solution you choose to clean your devices depends on what they are made of. For example, when I clean my AirPods Max , I use liquid laundry detergent and water to pat the ear pads and mesh headband, but I would never use that same mixture to clean any parts that are more electrical. Typically, when dealing with phones or e-readers, you shouldn’t use anything too harsh to wipe touch screens or surfaces. However, the prevailing opinion on the Internet is that isopropyl alcohol is ideal. Ammonia and bleach are completely avoided, but alcohol in the right concentration is better. Choose 70 percent isopropyl instead of 90 percent, and apply it to a cleaning cloth rather than directly to the device. This is what I use to wipe down my phone, hard parts of my headphones, computer, and Kindle. Strong alcohols can wear down things like screen protectors over time, so I go through them quickly . What do I use for this? Let’s look at the following common mistake.
Using the wrong material
At this point, if you don’t have a pack of microfiber cloths on hand, I’m disappointed in you. Not only are they the best for cleaning your home , but they are also the gold standard in cleaning technology. You don’t want a pad or paper towel that is too abrasive and will leave behind tiny debris when it disintegrates. Enter microfiber. You can get 24 cloths for less than $10, so it’s really a no-brainer. They don’t scratch what they rub against (as long as they’re clean), making them ideal for sensitive touchscreens.
However, I usually keep a few disposable cleaning wipes ready with me in case of an emergency. I try to use a microfiber cloth and 70% isopropyl alcohol in the comfort of my home, but sometimes I just need to do a quick clean outside the house. I haven’t noticed any major problems if done occasionally, and it’s also a cheap option: you can get 100 of them for about $7 .
Port manipulation
If you don’t clean the charging and headphone ports correctly, you could cause internal damage. These, as well as the vents, volume controls, power buttons, and even the spaces around the keys, should be handled with extreme care. Of course, never allow liquid to get near them ( depending on the device , anyway). But also make sure you have the right tools to gently remove the dust rather than pushing it deeper.
Personally, I use the tiny brushes that come with my DIY Lash Lift Kit. In the instructions for the kit they are called “microbrushes” and are microbrushes. The furry part is essentially the size of a pinhead. Do I expect you to have a home eyelash lift kit? No, but I would expect you to have access to a tiny brush. A phone cleaning kit may seem like an unnecessary purchase, but actually spending $14 to keep your $1,000+ tech safe isn’t that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. A set like the one above includes plenty of brushes to fit in every nook and cranny, but you still need to use them wisely. Angle them to always shake out dust, never insert them directly into a port or hole, and do so in a well-lit area. Bonus points if you whip out your magnifying glass.
Don’t use protection (or use the wrong type)
A few weeks ago, I bought silicone protective cases for my AirPods Max , realizing that what works for my phone (protection) may work for other devices. Now most of my things are covered with a thin rubber film. These updates were huge for me. It is much easier to remove the silicone case and put it under water than to mess with dirty devices. An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure.
However, there are exceptions to this rule, and ignoring them may unintentionally cause some problems. The case will work for headphones or a phone, but hard laptop cases can damage the computer’s vents or put too much pressure on the display. It is better to purchase a laptop case that will protect your expensive computer during transportation.
Likewise, while silicone keyboard covers do a good job of protecting the gaps around all of your laptop’s buttons,Apple recommends not using them —or at least not covering the laptop with the button on, as it could damage the display. It’s best to do a quick clean at the end of each work day.
Tips to keep in mind when cleaning your phone and equipment
There are several mistakes that are easy to fix if you know what to do. Never press too hard, never apply cleaning solution directly to the product (so it doesn’t drip into critical holes or concentrate on the surface), and always turn off the device before cleaning it. Wipe quickly and do not allow liquid to remain on any parts of the device for too long, then allow it to air dry completely before turning the power back on.