businessman dialing voip phone with pale vintage color effect

A 2017 study found that the cell phones of secondary school students carried 17,000 bacterial gene copies. While office workers are probably a bit cleaner than high schoolers, studies show that bacteria is everywhere.

For those in the cleaning industry, it’s a good idea to know how to clean all the hidden germ shelters in the workplace.

Computers and Laptops
Computers and laptops aren't hard to clean, but they require a little time and patience. Greatist.com recommends cleaning with home remedies such as equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and using a cotton rag (damp but not dripping) to wipe down all surfaces, including the screen.

In professional cleaning, microfiber is a great option. It can be used dry or barely damp to grab dirt and debris from all surfaces, without causing potential harm to screens.

For keyboards, you can use compressed air or a vacuum with a small, detachable hose to get rid of crumbs and dirt. For a deeper clean, cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol will fit between the keys. Keyboard cleaning gel can also sneak into all the keyboard crevices.

Phones
A little dish soap and water will take care of germy phones. A cleaning solution of milder soap and water on a barely damp soft cloth is perfect.

Another option for cell phones, says Greatist.com, is a 1:1 mixture of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol. Spray the solution on a microfiber cloth, then use cotton swabs and toothpicks to get into all the nooks and crannies.

Dry the phones completely after every wash.

Light Switches
Light switches are one of the germiest places in the office. Cleaning these isn't dangerous as long as you go easy on the cleaning solution.

Remote Controls
Remote controls rank high on the list of surfaces harboring large quantities of germs. Hotels and healthcare facilities that provide televisions should have cleaning programs in place for disinfecting this germ hot spot.

Make sure cleaning chemicals are deemed safe for electronics. Then spray the chemical on a cloth and wipe the controllers. To get between buttons, use a cotton swab or toothbrush.

For other germ hot spots and hot to disinfect them, click here.