Dirty little secrets of the keyboard revealed
Summary
Nail clippings, hair, crumbs, gum — an IT hardware cleaning company describes some of the disagreeable and even dangerous bacteria that accumulates inside the average office keyboard.
Topics
Next time you are eating at your desk, try not to think of multitude of germs lurking on your keyboard — along with some other unpleasant debris.
Nail clippings, chips, pastry crumbs, chewing gum and beard hair are some of the disagreeable detritus that accumulates inside the average office keyboard, according to Claire Burke, director of Keep IT Clean, an IT hardware cleaning company with clients including hotels and the NHS.
Burke told silicon.com, that IT chiefs call her company in so tech staff don't have to negotiate a minefield of grime when they are called on to fix a broken PC.
"If you get IT having to work on other people's computers, it's not fair if you have to scrape something off the keyboard," she said.
Last year researchers for Which Computing tested more than 30 keyboards from a typical London office and found some harbored levels of bacteria that could put their user at high risk of becoming ill. In one case a microbiologist suggested the removal of a keyboard as it had 150 times the recommended limit of bacteria — five times filthier than a toilet seat that was swabbed in the same test.
The main cause of a bug-infested keyboard is users eating lunch at their desk, as the crumbs encourage the growth of millions of bacteria.
And with IT equipment shared with colleagues in call centres or 'hot desk' environments the problem isn't just one for the IT helpdesk workers, either.
The credit crunch is also having an impact on attitudes towards cleaning and replacing kit, Burke said: "The attitude is they would throw the keyboard away and get a new one but you can't do that now."
So what are the least pleasant things that Burke's team has come across?
"Smelly laptops," she said. "When people spend so much on IT equipment why do they let it get so bad?"
"You can always tell if they eat salt and vinegar chips because you can smell it," she added.
Burke's other least favorites include the scum on the bottom of the mouse, the fluff in the keyboard "that comes from nowhere" and the various crumbs that IT equipment attracts, as well as grime wiped on the side of keyboards by users.
This article was originally posted on silicon.com.
Just In
The first thing I do when I accept a laptop into my shop for repair is clean the entire keyboard and case with an antibacterial cleanser previously tested for safe use on the case plastic. Severely contaminated keyboards can be sprayed liberally and directly with Lysol which kills everything but you must allow the spray to air dry completely before returning the component to service (unplug laptops and remove the battery before doing this). Really horridly soiled USB or PS2 keyboards can also be rinsed with distilled water (not tap water, which contains ferrous metals). Lean the keyboard in the sink on an angle, pour the water in the top end and let it all run out the other end, carrying all the trapped debris with it. Hold the keyboard face down and shake all the water out of it, then allow the keyboard to air dry in the sun. (Don't do this with wireless keyboards containing a battery).
Keyboards in the dishwasher? Sure, just don't use the "heated dry" setting - and wait 3 days for them to dry . . .
Change the keyboard, with the one of your colleague.
(Well, it works for my closer neighbourg of my desk, he exhange his keyboard, with mine, when mine is clean... -yes I know, there are word to call this kind...-)
(Well, it works for my closer neighbourg of my desk, he exhange his keyboard, with mine, when mine is clean... -yes I know, there are word to call this kind...-)
This is not new news, these reports crop up every few months. Despite this fact, keyboard design still has not changed, and they are not easy to clean out.
I turn over the ones in the office, bang them, blow them, but what else can you . If you unscrew them, they fall apart.
Maybe we should go back to a time when equipment is repairable rather than disposable. It would certainly be better for the planet.
I turn over the ones in the office, bang them, blow them, but what else can you . If you unscrew them, they fall apart.
Maybe we should go back to a time when equipment is repairable rather than disposable. It would certainly be better for the planet.
Awh, come on guys. Jam, jelly and Maple syrup are the greatest things for keeping the keyboards from sliding off the desk. Crud under the mouse? There's no place for it on mine. The pads, or feet are worn completely flat and that gunk is what's left of the label on the under side. Cleaning wireless keyboards...You can wash them like any other, I mean it's not big deal to take the batteries out. OTOH disassembling one isn't any great task either if you can keep track of a few screws, where they go, the keys, springs, and membrane position. Hold the keyboard "upside down" and all those parts won't fall out. They really aren't that difficult to take apart and put back together. Then again, maybe it just takes practice. I've been doing it for years and *Usually* without spare parts left over, or not enough to finish.
Speaking of that membrane, if you wash one of these it's a good idea to take that out that membrane afterward and pat it dry with a lint free towel. That thing does such a good job of sealing that I think it'd take weeks for water to dry in one of those. Warm, distilled water would be the best way to go. However I've seen hardened build ups of what had to be syrup, jam, or things I'm afraid to ask about that took *lots* of HOT water, and/or a pick to remove.
However with the feet worn off the mice, the letters worn off the keys, and a collection of who knows what under the keyboard, good old 120 PSI shop air is great for blowing the dirt out, just before you pitch the keyboard into the waste basket because after that it's unlikely to ever work again.
BTW when I worked for the one company we used "keyboard condoms" out in production. They were a membrane much like the ones inside the wireless keyboards except they were made to cover the entire keyboard. Yes, they were Latex! :-)) As I say, practice safe computing and use a keyboard condom.
Speaking of that membrane, if you wash one of these it's a good idea to take that out that membrane afterward and pat it dry with a lint free towel. That thing does such a good job of sealing that I think it'd take weeks for water to dry in one of those. Warm, distilled water would be the best way to go. However I've seen hardened build ups of what had to be syrup, jam, or things I'm afraid to ask about that took *lots* of HOT water, and/or a pick to remove.
However with the feet worn off the mice, the letters worn off the keys, and a collection of who knows what under the keyboard, good old 120 PSI shop air is great for blowing the dirt out, just before you pitch the keyboard into the waste basket because after that it's unlikely to ever work again.
BTW when I worked for the one company we used "keyboard condoms" out in production. They were a membrane much like the ones inside the wireless keyboards except they were made to cover the entire keyboard. Yes, they were Latex! :-)) As I say, practice safe computing and use a keyboard condom.
If you look around, you can find Magic Sliders in the 10mm or 3/8" size. They make good replacements for the feet on most optical mice.
Keyboard condom!!! Priceless!!! If the problem is as serious as the article suggests, that is certainly a brilliant solution.
Good work, rdhalsteatzd, and you are right: guessing at what a particular, foreign substance is on the keyboard is likely a far better proposition than knowing the real story behind it. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss!
Good work, rdhalsteatzd, and you are right: guessing at what a particular, foreign substance is on the keyboard is likely a far better proposition than knowing the real story behind it. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss!
I've popped the keys off of several Dell keyboards I picked up in my employer's auctions of older equipment, and simply washed them. At that point it's very simple to wipe down the rest of the board.
And I always make sure I have one left intact to help guide the reassembly.
And I always make sure I have one left intact to help guide the reassembly.
It must have been a pretty old keyboard. Most keyboards have rubber membrane "domes" molded out of a single piece of rubber, and the keys aren't designed to be removed. If you do manage to get the keys off, they sometimes won't stay on. Laptop keys are very fragile, you're likely to break the pivot on them trying to get them off. We get laptops with missing keys all the time. Compressed air (NOT "canned air", which is really difloroethane) works well for getting the crud out, as does just giving it a good whack. Clorox disinfectant wipes work well for cleaning the keys.
Reminds me of that scene in Gattaca where Vincent is diligently vacuuming his keyboard. "Why so clean?" the boss asks him, with his head down to avoid eye contact Vincent responds, "It's next to Godliness sir."
Google the following... Keyboard germs and Toilet seat and you will get articles year after year telling you about the number of different office items and how they contain bacteria at levels unsafe and likely to make you ill.
Yet millions continue to work around these keyboards at offices year after year and only occasionally get ill, most likely from the idiot next to you who came to the office sick because he was out of vacation days or really dedicated to his job and care more about his few tasks than the health of the rest of the office.
I really wish people would quit reporting this tripe as news. This is not only a recycled story that is posted year after year, but also an advertisement posted as news. Way to go ZDnet.
Well, I am off to Google a new news source as ZDnet has upset me yet again.
Yet millions continue to work around these keyboards at offices year after year and only occasionally get ill, most likely from the idiot next to you who came to the office sick because he was out of vacation days or really dedicated to his job and care more about his few tasks than the health of the rest of the office.
I really wish people would quit reporting this tripe as news. This is not only a recycled story that is posted year after year, but also an advertisement posted as news. Way to go ZDnet.
Well, I am off to Google a new news source as ZDnet has upset me yet again.
Every year there are wild fires, floods and soldiers killed in Irak.
Does that mean according to you that those shouldn't be news?
Maybe that wasn't what you meant. What about: Because YOU read about something long time ago, it shouldn't be news for people that still don't know?
I would agree if all the keyboards were now clean or if the design had changed to make them easy to clean, but if there are people that keep using dirty keyboards, it's worth mentioning it every now and then.
Does that mean according to you that those shouldn't be news?
Maybe that wasn't what you meant. What about: Because YOU read about something long time ago, it shouldn't be news for people that still don't know?
I would agree if all the keyboards were now clean or if the design had changed to make them easy to clean, but if there are people that keep using dirty keyboards, it's worth mentioning it every now and then.
rarsa is right. Educating people is an ongoing process. What is always news to me is people's attitudes and how they seem to never change year after year. Want some news? Here you go: keyboard ergonomics could be far more of a health and safety issue than germs.
Also, the germ issue will be more of an issue as medical and dental offices computerize. We cubicle dwellers have a lot more control over our own keyboards. My dentist just computerized and there is a keyboard at every station...I am going to keep my eye on them...
From NINDS website (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm) - "During 1998, an estimated three of every 10,000 workers lost time from work because of carpal tunnel syndrome. Half of these workers missed more than 10 days of work. The average lifetime cost of carpal tunnel syndrome, including medical bills and lost time from work, is estimated to be about $30,000 for each injured worker."
Here is a good Ergonomic link to get you started -
http://www.ehs.ucsf.edu/Ergonomics/oehsErgonomics.asp
FYI there are now dishwasher safe keyboards and antibacterial ones also. It is up to you to to protect yourself... -s.
Also, the germ issue will be more of an issue as medical and dental offices computerize. We cubicle dwellers have a lot more control over our own keyboards. My dentist just computerized and there is a keyboard at every station...I am going to keep my eye on them...
From NINDS website (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm) - "During 1998, an estimated three of every 10,000 workers lost time from work because of carpal tunnel syndrome. Half of these workers missed more than 10 days of work. The average lifetime cost of carpal tunnel syndrome, including medical bills and lost time from work, is estimated to be about $30,000 for each injured worker."
Here is a good Ergonomic link to get you started -
http://www.ehs.ucsf.edu/Ergonomics/oehsErgonomics.asp
FYI there are now dishwasher safe keyboards and antibacterial ones also. It is up to you to to protect yourself... -s.
There is a difference between "Wildfire in Central LA" and "Keyboards are Dirty."
The fact is, as noted elsewhere, that people do not get sick from dirty keyboards. Could they? Perhaps, but they don't.
Now if you come up with "50 hospitalized in XYZ Widgets offices - dirty office equipment suspected" - that is news akin to reporting wildfires.
The fact is, as noted elsewhere, that people do not get sick from dirty keyboards. Could they? Perhaps, but they don't.
Now if you come up with "50 hospitalized in XYZ Widgets offices - dirty office equipment suspected" - that is news akin to reporting wildfires.
So if ZDNET upsets you so much, why do you keep reading it??
We keep going back for the occasional gem and get sidetracked into reading rethreaded news.
ZDNet still makes money on us clicking whether the article's good or bad, recycled or cuttting edge, so except for occassional complaints and the loss of a few readers they still come out ahead. How do I know? It's easy: they don't do a damn thing about it!
ZDNet still makes money on us clicking whether the article's good or bad, recycled or cuttting edge, so except for occassional complaints and the loss of a few readers they still come out ahead. How do I know? It's easy: they don't do a damn thing about it!
Sometimes I have to do some things on a co-worker's computer when she is out. The keyboard is so full of crumbs and other crusty things (some of which I am afraid may be eczema) that I actually wear gloves when using it. How it doesn't bother her, I'll never understand.
Exactly why I don't eat over or near my keyboard.
Exactly why I don't eat over or near my keyboard.
In my experience as a service tech the worst keyboards I've had to clean were in automobile service departments. Those keyboards were crusted with grease, dirt and who knows what other grime and muck.
So after unplugging the keyboards I gave them a liberal dose of "Scrubbing Bubbles" bathroom shower cleaner while the keyboard was standing up over several layers of newspaper.
Wow the muck that rolled out! Then a dose of distilled water to rinse. Repeat the process until no more gunk comes out. Shake to release as much remaining water as possible then set out in the sunlight to dry.
And they smelled good, too.
Terry Thomas
PC Tech Support
Atlanta, Georgia USA
So after unplugging the keyboards I gave them a liberal dose of "Scrubbing Bubbles" bathroom shower cleaner while the keyboard was standing up over several layers of newspaper.
Wow the muck that rolled out! Then a dose of distilled water to rinse. Repeat the process until no more gunk comes out. Shake to release as much remaining water as possible then set out in the sunlight to dry.
And they smelled good, too.
Terry Thomas
PC Tech Support
Atlanta, Georgia USA
I have one for my desktop keyboard and I wouldn't be without it.
Every so often all I have to do is wash it with hot water and
dishwashing detergent and dry with a clean teatowel.
Every so often all I have to do is wash it with hot water and
dishwashing detergent and dry with a clean teatowel.
The great keys on IBM thinkpads are VERY difficult to individually replace if you pop one top off. I spent the better part of an hour on just one keytop, using bent wires, picks and a devil of a time to get the damn thing popped back on. Likely there is an easy way, but I couldn't find out how. On the other hand, removing the entire keyboard is very easy, usually 2 or 3 screws, and washing the top would be a snap to do and the membrane/rubber would keep the innards dry
I just use a layer of cling wrap (the type used in the kitchen) to cover the keyboard. If it gets holes in it , it's just so easy to remove the old wrap and apply a new layer. Very cheap 
.. keyboards of laptops have these openings for cooling purposes.
Nevertheless, keyboards should be easier to clean, and have an special membrane added to them.
The best way is still to open them, or just buy an new one..but that is not everyone's cup of tea.
And these rubber(?)rollable keyboards could be an base for an dessent keyboard, If you ask me.
Nevertheless, keyboards should be easier to clean, and have an special membrane added to them.
The best way is still to open them, or just buy an new one..but that is not everyone's cup of tea.
And these rubber(?)rollable keyboards could be an base for an dessent keyboard, If you ask me.
replace the keyboard with something that's made to be cleaned, should such a thing even exist. Be careful though, the person who has to sit in front of it and use it all day may ram it down your throat; or worse.
The bottom line is keyboard designs have been tweaked over the years to be typed on: that means good tactile feedback, resistance to spills and debris and, of course, be inexpensive. Up until now, cleaning wasn't part of the requirements.
A new keyboard needs to be designed that meets all the above criteria and is easy to clean. So, stop whinning, sit back and wait.
The bottom line is keyboard designs have been tweaked over the years to be typed on: that means good tactile feedback, resistance to spills and debris and, of course, be inexpensive. Up until now, cleaning wasn't part of the requirements.
A new keyboard needs to be designed that meets all the above criteria and is easy to clean. So, stop whinning, sit back and wait.
And considering in the office you usually find the cheapest of all, the best question is for how many years and how many people that keyboard has been used?
A new decent keyboard cost US$5 max, and offices are the ones who should be ashamed for trying to use it for eternity, and it doesn't matter how tight the credit crunch is, it's cheaper to buy a new keyboard than to clean it, and much cheaper than to have an employer fell ill because of it.
A new decent keyboard cost US$5 max, and offices are the ones who should be ashamed for trying to use it for eternity, and it doesn't matter how tight the credit crunch is, it's cheaper to buy a new keyboard than to clean it, and much cheaper than to have an employer fell ill because of it.
I do this with laptop keyboards.
Remove the keyboard mechanism from the supporting device and soak the keyboard in 90% ethyl alcohol. Use an soft toothbrush and gently brush the keyboard while soaking in alcohol to remove materials stuck to the keyboard. Then remove the keyboard from the alcohol and let dry overnight and then return the keyboard to the device. Remember that 90% ethyl alcohol is flammable so you need to be careful.
Remove the keyboard mechanism from the supporting device and soak the keyboard in 90% ethyl alcohol. Use an soft toothbrush and gently brush the keyboard while soaking in alcohol to remove materials stuck to the keyboard. Then remove the keyboard from the alcohol and let dry overnight and then return the keyboard to the device. Remember that 90% ethyl alcohol is flammable so you need to be careful.
When I used to work in desktop support, I always carried my own keyboard and mouse. Working in a hospital and going to places like microbiology in the lab convinced me to do that!
It's pretty simple.
Place keyboard in sink. Spray with warm water. Spray with spray cleaner (Windex works well). Work over with soft brush (such as a shoe brush). Rinse with warm water. Repeat until clean. Big clumps of gunk may need a more intense spray to rinse them out.
Then rinse with distilled water, shake out any excess water and let dry for several days.
I like the idea of Scrubbing Bubbles. I'll have to give that a try.
Place keyboard in sink. Spray with warm water. Spray with spray cleaner (Windex works well). Work over with soft brush (such as a shoe brush). Rinse with warm water. Repeat until clean. Big clumps of gunk may need a more intense spray to rinse them out.
Then rinse with distilled water, shake out any excess water and let dry for several days.
I like the idea of Scrubbing Bubbles. I'll have to give that a try.
1. The keyboard is used by more than one person on a regular basis. If you're the sole user, then the germs on your keyboard are your germs. Your body is already aclimated to, and resistant to, that germ set. You're not very likely to get sick from it. Use someone else's keyboard, and that's a whole different germ set and you CAN get sick from it.
2. You're the PC technician working on the system. The germ set situation is applicable to all systems you work on. It's not unreasonable to wear a set of gloves, or wipe down the keyboard to protect you from germs. If you're using compressed air, wear a mask that's properly fitted and has the correct filter in it.
2. You're the PC technician working on the system. The germ set situation is applicable to all systems you work on. It's not unreasonable to wear a set of gloves, or wipe down the keyboard to protect you from germs. If you're using compressed air, wear a mask that's properly fitted and has the correct filter in it.
We've been recently upgrading people from desktops to laptops where i work and because theres no ps2 ports on the new laptops they're all getting new laptops and mice aswell.
I have never seen such disgusting keyboards.
I'm not a clean freak but some of the keyboards were filthy.
There was several that had the brown scum lines on the most commonly used keys and on the sides of the mouse.
And you can always tell which user is a smoker becuase the tar that yellows their hands/teeth/skin also yellows their keyboards/mice/phone.
we do have a cleaning foam made by Niceday funnily enough its called "foam cleaner" and it does the trick, spray it on let it bubble away for a few mins and even the yellowing from the smokers comes off.
i popped a load of keys off one of the worst and found the following: hair(facial/head/genital!), nail clippings, dust balls, several types of dead bugs, cornflakes, crumbs,coffee/tea stains, chocolate.
i should have taken a picture...
I call ******** for those who say that you wont make yourself sick from your own keyboard.
if something is "150 times the recommended limit of bacteria" or "five times filthier than a toilet seat" its going to get you sooner or later.
And if you're still against wiping your keyboard then at least think of your IT person, if they have to come and fix your pc, the last thing they want is to be typing on a filthy greasy keyboard.
I have never seen such disgusting keyboards.
I'm not a clean freak but some of the keyboards were filthy.
There was several that had the brown scum lines on the most commonly used keys and on the sides of the mouse.
And you can always tell which user is a smoker becuase the tar that yellows their hands/teeth/skin also yellows their keyboards/mice/phone.
we do have a cleaning foam made by Niceday funnily enough its called "foam cleaner" and it does the trick, spray it on let it bubble away for a few mins and even the yellowing from the smokers comes off.
i popped a load of keys off one of the worst and found the following: hair(facial/head/genital!), nail clippings, dust balls, several types of dead bugs, cornflakes, crumbs,coffee/tea stains, chocolate.
i should have taken a picture...
I call ******** for those who say that you wont make yourself sick from your own keyboard.
if something is "150 times the recommended limit of bacteria" or "five times filthier than a toilet seat" its going to get you sooner or later.
And if you're still against wiping your keyboard then at least think of your IT person, if they have to come and fix your pc, the last thing they want is to be typing on a filthy greasy keyboard.
Carry your own membrane for the keyboard. Carry your crud with you.
If you think keyboards are bad, take a swab from the telephone or the TV remote in an hotel room. Those are the dirtiest things that we ever handle. Or for a real wake-up call, bring a small portable black light with you on your next hotel stay and have a look at all of the jizz on the bedspread and carpets. Hotel rooms, even in high end 5-star properties, are FILTHY beyond imagination!
...they're MY germs!
I pop off the keys once a year and thoroughly clean everything, but the keyboard gets really dirty really quickly. It's a losing battle.
I pop off the keys once a year and thoroughly clean everything, but the keyboard gets really dirty really quickly. It's a losing battle.
Well glovees could be the answer. It might also show the "luser" how dirty he is... He deserve this condescending treatment.
No.. I should not even answer.. When has things gotten so over used that you have to come up with a useless topic to make news???
The sheer levels that hygiene paranoia have reached is truly laughable. If you took this nonsense seriously you'd never leave home, live in a hermetically sealed chamber and dress in disposable sterile clothes.
How the hell did any of us survive growing up in the 1970's when this sort of lunacy was unheard of?
How the hell did any of us survive growing up in the 1970's when this sort of lunacy was unheard of?
What would be more helpful than another stupid recount of of a
problem found but a practical description of how you take them
apart and clean them --- particularly shared laptops with sticky -
gooey keys!
problem found but a practical description of how you take them
apart and clean them --- particularly shared laptops with sticky -
gooey keys!
I have a friend who does this and reports no problems so far.
You have not seen anything until you see keyboards in an elementary school. Just think where the little one's fingers have been just before they go to the computer center. The whiteboard wet wipes work well.
Never use anything water based on the computer..this is common sense but common sense is not common!Scrub with meths and a toothbrush only.
When computers get especially dirty they need to be placed into a sink filled with warm sudsy water !
See for yourself !
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/3149/computerwash.jpg
See for yourself !
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/3149/computerwash.jpg
Actually most keyboards that have electronic boards are easily taken apart and you can send the keys (attached to the upper housing) into the dishwasher. Just make sure to flip it from time to time as to get both sides. And I never had problems with the heated dry.
This is getting to be like one of those Monty Python sketches, (When I was a lad we had it REALLY tough...!! ) - OK here we go..
Firstly I totally strip my keyboard down daily to every single one of it's component parts and soak every single one of those parts in ethyl alchohol, clean them with a sterile micro fibre cloth and then spray them in disinfectant, using a magniying glass and if necessary an electron microscope to check for any sign of e-coli or ebola.
Then I ship them in a freeze dried package to the local hospital where the parts are then placed in a sterilising autoclave for a few hours and afterwards for good measure they are UV sterilised. Then finally taken to a large Gamma Ray steriliser at our University for the final polish off of those nasty little microbes that either exist or dont.
Then wearing a full biologically protective environment suit with touch sensitive gloves and filtered breathing apparatus I rebuild the filthy object knowing that it will soon become a contaminated device yet again..
Unfortunately, there is at this stage, usually a part missing, so I then have to go out (Of my plastic air-conditioned environment bubble..) and using actual money, (Another filthy germ carrying problem..) buy another.
Oh no!!!
Just dropped a chipolata in there.. Now, where's my gloves and tweezers?
Firstly I totally strip my keyboard down daily to every single one of it's component parts and soak every single one of those parts in ethyl alchohol, clean them with a sterile micro fibre cloth and then spray them in disinfectant, using a magniying glass and if necessary an electron microscope to check for any sign of e-coli or ebola.
Then I ship them in a freeze dried package to the local hospital where the parts are then placed in a sterilising autoclave for a few hours and afterwards for good measure they are UV sterilised. Then finally taken to a large Gamma Ray steriliser at our University for the final polish off of those nasty little microbes that either exist or dont.
Then wearing a full biologically protective environment suit with touch sensitive gloves and filtered breathing apparatus I rebuild the filthy object knowing that it will soon become a contaminated device yet again..
Unfortunately, there is at this stage, usually a part missing, so I then have to go out (Of my plastic air-conditioned environment bubble..) and using actual money, (Another filthy germ carrying problem..) buy another.
Oh no!!!
Just dropped a chipolata in there.. Now, where's my gloves and tweezers?
We're paranoid about cleanliness. Part of growing up should be exposure to dirt so you build up a sensible immunity. The Human Race has surviced for millenia in grubby conditions.
Dirt in wound - bad. Dirt ingested - not quite so bad. Dirt on fingers - so what?
And is it cost-effective? How much do you get paid per hour? How long does it take to clean a keyboard? How much does a keyboard cost? Sadly, many companies will conclude it's easier to chuck dirty keyboards, and let the planet burn.
Dirt in wound - bad. Dirt ingested - not quite so bad. Dirt on fingers - so what?
And is it cost-effective? How much do you get paid per hour? How long does it take to clean a keyboard? How much does a keyboard cost? Sadly, many companies will conclude it's easier to chuck dirty keyboards, and let the planet burn.
I'm a Health & Safety manager for a large recruitment company and this subject always pops up in meetings. Regular Anti Bacterial Computer Cleaning is the forefront of most office health & safety meetings all over the country, I know because I hear about it constantly from my H&S peers. The solution...! Get them Anti Bacterial Cleaned Regularly. We use Intelligent Hygiene Ltd (formally IE Hygiene Services.) I can't remember their website but look them up, their the business!
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