How to Clean Your Electronics The Quick And Easy Way

These tips show you how to clean your electronics quickly and easily to keep them in fantastic working condition without adding much time to your cleaning routine!

 

Out of need, I created my weekly cleaning routine to help me keep my house in good order without spending my entire day cleaning. It is likely the single best thing I’ve done to get my home under control and properly managed.

 

Thanks to strict adherence to my daily cleaning routine, along with a bunch of decluttering, my house has become a much more enjoyable place to spend my time. My house now stays clean with very little time and stress.

 

Your weekly routine doesn’t have to be huge, elaborate, or time-consuming. Cleaning a small amount each day will help you stay on top of everything. That way you won’t be eating up your weekend cleaning the house.

 

That time you save is valuable. Instead of spending all weekend cleaning or catching up on laundry, you can spend that time with your husband and children, as a family.

 

But when you’re thinking about the normal mopping, dusting, and vacuuming, don’t forget about cleaning your household electronics.

 

Electronics are magnets for dust. No matter how clean you keep your home, dust, dirt, and filth find a way into your electronics.

 

How To Clean Your Home Electronics

 

Home electronics can be difficult to clean because they can be damaged easily if you clean them incorrectly.

 

*Note: Consult your owner’s manual for directions and never spray cleaner directly on your electronics. Instead, spray the cleaner on a microfiber cloth first and then wipe. Turn your electronics off before cleaning (not only is it dangerous, but if they are on or warm, they are harder to clean).

 

 

Supplies You Need To Clean Your Electronics

 

1:1 Water to Vinegar Mixture Cleans Everything

 

Many electronics require little more than microfiber cloths for dusting. However, there will be times you might need a bit of liquid to help you with the job. In this situation, I recommend mixing a 1:1 ration of water to white vinegar. 

 

There is nothing that this concoction cannot clean. You can clean your remotes, keyboards, computer mouses, and other metal or plastic surfaces to kill bacteria and remove buildup.

Here’s a quick guide on how to clean most electronic surfaces quickly and easily. You can easily add these into your weekly cleaning routine for just a few minutes each week. 

 

 

How To Clean A TV Screen

 

To clean your television, you normally just need to give it a quick dusting. Simply dust it off with a microfiber wand duster or microfiber cloth. I like using a wand duster when I’m doing weekly dusting to quickly clean the TV screen because it gets the surface dust off without spreading it around.

 

Older model box-style TVs have thick glass for the screen that can be cleaned with a rag (or paper towel) with glass cleaner sprayed on it.

 

However, flat-screen TVs are a different matter. LCD TV screens are made of specially designed flexible plastic that is very sensitive to chemicals. 

 

If you apply cleaners with chemicals in them to an LCD TV screen, you may end up with a flat-screen that doesn’t work (that would be awful). Using ordinary kitchen towels or paper towels may even scratch the screen. 

 

Here’s how to clean a flat-screen tv: 

  • Use a soft & dry microfiber cloth to very gently wipe the screen. 
  • If this doesn’t remove the grime, make a solution of equal parts water and vinegar then lightly dampen a cloth with the solution and gently wipe the screen. Do not allow any excess liquid on or inside the monitor.
  • Avoid rubbing and scrubbing because it will damage the screen.

 

*Note: do not use window cleaner products on flat-screen TVs because the ammonia-based products can cause the screen to turn yellow.

 

How To Clean A Computer Screen

 

Looking for how to clean a laptop screen or a computer monitor? The process for cleaning computer or laptop screens is very similar to the process for how to clean a flat-screen TV monitor. 

 

Dust your computer screen with a microfiber cloth or a mitt. You can likely use a barely damp microfiber or screen-safe cloth to clean the screen well but double-check your manufacturer’s directions. 

 

Please, whatever you do, don’t get the screen wet or spray cleaner directly on it because it will most likely ruin or damage the screen.

 

If you’re wondering how to clean the keyboard, use a soft, small (clean) paintbrush to dust keys and small crevices. Canned air is a great tool to have up your sleeve to effectively dislodge dust and other small debris that can otherwise be difficult to remove. 

 

How To Clean Your Phone

 

If you think about it, your phone is probably one of the dirtiest things you own. It is touched constantly (with or without clean hands) and is probably not cleaned very often. 

 

You definitely want to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to clean your iPhone or any smartphone.

 

However, the general process for most smartphones is to start by removing any cases and covers. Wipe with a barely damp microfiber cloth and/or a screen wipe to effectively clean and disinfect. 

 

Make sure you aren’t getting any part of the device wet as it can quickly damage the screens and device.

 

With electronics, stay clear of the screen edges. Use a dry cotton swab to clean the dirt away from the sides, if needed.  

 

How To Clean Your AirPods

 

If you were gifted with (or purchased) Apple AirPods or a different brand, they are an investment that are definitely worth keeping clean and in good working order.

 

Apple says to clean your AirPods by wiping them clean with a cloth slightly dampened with fresh water and dry with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.

 

Allow them to completely dry before placing in the charging case, and don’t use them until they are completely dry.

 

If you need to clean the speaker mesh, only use a soft, dry cloth to wipe them off.

 

Add Cleaning Your Electronics To Your Weekly Cleaning Routine

 

Keep your electronics fresh and in great shape by including them in your weekly cleaning routine. It won’t add much time at all (especially if you do it regularly) but will make a difference in how well your electronic devices function!

 

More Cleaning Posts to Read:

How a Daily House Cleaning Schedule Can Simplify Your Life

Morning Cleaning Routine

Nighttime Cleaning Routine 

The One Habit That Changed My Housekeeping Game

 

Thank You! Need More Support?

 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll stick around and read some more.

 

My main passion is helping women build systems and routines that make homemaking simple. I find this possible through simplifying life, decluttering, and building routines that work for your household.

 

If you love all of that or want to learn more you should jump on my email list. I’ll send you a bunch of info on how I take care of my house, free access to my printables library, and a weekly newsletter with challenges and tips. Hope to see you there. 

 

Either way, thanks again, and come back any time. 🙂 

2 Comments

  1. Vicki Smith Lovin

    November 26, 2019 at 9:20 pm

    The best thing to clean electronics with that can’t be cleaned with a microfiber cloth is alcohol on a baby wipe. It dries very quickly so it doesn’t damage your electronics.

    1. KatiesKottage

      December 10, 2019 at 1:46 pm

      That’s a great tip Vicki. Thank you!

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