The Tech Savvy Lawyer

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Coronavirus/COVID-19: How to clean your Laptop?

More and more people are working from home due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 Issue. Judges, attorneys, and others in the legal profession who are not used to routinely working from HOME are understandably concerned about using their work tools free of contamination. Let’s not all panic, not accidentally break our laptops, and remember to use items best suited for your electronics.

Microfiber cloths are probably the best material to use to wipe down your laptop (especially your screen!).

You can slightly dampen your cloth with 

  • Tap water,

  • Iodized water (a better pH balanced form of water that is less acidic. It is also alcohol-free. This may make it a better cleaner that just pure tap water); or

  • Liquid soap and water to wipe down your laptop and screen. 

  • Remember, if your cloth is "dripping", you have too much water in the cloth!

Apple (and as it appears other laptop manufactures) are moving away from not using certain alcohol cleaners on their devices. Apple released the following statement:

"Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don't use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don't submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don't use on fabric or leather surfaces."

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172

Meanwhile, be careful about using compressed air. Blowing air into a laptop may remove some particles. Still, it may also blow them into your laptop and into the circuit board. That could lead to a broken laptop.

Stay safe, stay home if you are exposed, and stay productive!