Cleaning of Keyboards

[Optimus_Primal]

How to you deal with clearing of keyboards.

 

I asked the Science techs to swab a keyboard and incubate the sample and its pretty disgusting.

 

[paulkerton]

Just like the handwash, use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes. Wipe them over, and let the alcohol evaporate.

The other way to handle it, is set an expectation to use handwash as they enter the class.

[Optimus_Primal]

This was a member of admin staffs computer.

The thought of checking a keyboard in my own classroom now .

[tg12]

I must say, I'm enjoying the whole little science experiment you've got going on here! I too now dread what a classroom keyboard would look like... Probably best not to think about it before lunch.

[Oaktech]

Cleaners just use hard surface cleaner on a cloth on all of them every night. ICT suite is wiped down by a TA between lessons.

[Boredguy]

They were getting cleaned by staff and students before and after use with normal aqua based multi-surface cleaner of the right potency (since IPA packs dried out far too quickly to make them cost effective)

That seems to have died out since we came back in September. You could always do a similar test on the door handles since they get cleaned even less frequently than keyboards and mice (p

[JordanT91]

Our keyboards are never cleaned. It's nobodies job unfortunately..

[Optimus_Primal]

Our keyboards are never cleaned. It's nobodies job unfortunately..

 

Same here and its now clear its pretty disgusting :-(

[Optimus_Primal]

I must say, I'm enjoying the whole little science experiment you've got going on here! I too now dread what a classroom keyboard would look like... Probably best not to think about it before lunch.

 

Ask the techs to swab it and use a Agar plate and incubate. I was going to post it on the social media but unless I have a cleaning regime set up it could cause a larger issue.

[Koldov]

Thing is, I know it sounds disgusting... but we all have bacteria on our skin and what is growing there 'might' not be harmful.

 

Also, bear in mind that if that is a 'personal' keyboard in someone's office at their desk and they are the only person likely to use it, they will only be touching bacteria they already have on their hands.

 

Shared keyboards is an entirely different matter...

[Optimus_Primal]

Thing is, I know it sounds disgusting... but we all have bacteria on our skin and what is growing there 'might' not be harmful.

Also, bear in mind that if that is a 'personal' keyboard in someone's office at their desk and they are the only person likely to use it, they will only be touching bacteria they already have on their hands.

Shared keyboards is an entirely different matter...

 

 

That's why we did it on a member of admin staff first. The techs pointed out the colours of the bacteria. Apparently their knees were interesting when they did the same experiment the week before.

Student keyboards are going to be pretty disgusting.

 

However teacher computers where people share the rooms are not going to be great. I share my room with 5 other teachers and I am curious but freaked out about checking.

[bigstan48]

Our IT team wipe the keyboards in four suites every morning at the same time as turning machines on and making sure everything is ok for the first lesson.

[chazzy2501]

when someone complains, buy a new keyboard

[MatthewL]

Personal issue keyboard and mice!!

 

Always going to be a grim subject especially in a school with so many users. Can just imagine personal issue keyboards with kids and the scene on Wanted the film as he leaves the office. (contains possibly NSFW word).

 

I've got a Logitech K310 which claims can be submerged in water and washed, I'm yet to try it but so wipe over now and again with alcohol based wipes.

[Optimus_Primal]

when someone complains, buy a new keyboard

HAHA she did not, I went to do some MIS training with the new HR Manager and i said that thing is disgusting i am not touching that.

 

I felt bad at the fact she had been using it for 3 hours.

[chris_uk]

HAHA she did not, I went to do some MIS training with the new HR Manager and i said that thing is disgusting i am not touching that.

 

I felt bad at the fact she had been using it for 3 hours.

 

When are you going to quit teaching and join the dark side?! You know it will be more fun!

[Optimus_Primal]

When are you going to quit teaching and join the dark side?! You know it will be more fun!

Hahaha after 3 years I finally have a Network Manager. It was touch and go, that I might have to turn.

[brianhig]

At home, I clean my keyboard twice a week using wipes. It's quick and easy. It helps to prevent the buildup of germs and bacteria, which I can't stand. I'm a bit of a hypochondriac.

At my office in Lafayette, I don't have to worry about cleaning my keyboard myself. We've hired a cleaning company that takes care of it as part of their daily routine. It's reassuring to know that the keyboards in the office are being cleaned regularly, especially in a shared workspace where germs can easily spread. The company we hired is Going Green and they also clean the desks, including the monitors. Perfect for my hypochondria.

[PotNoodleTech]

If you think the keyboard comes out bad on the swab tests try your staff room's dishcloth - It will be surprising it doesn't speak to you when you walk past!

[Dos_Box]

I was handed this the other day from a family member who told me that some keys didn't work correctly and it may need a clean...

 

 

It's the stuff of nightmares! I used a paintbrush to dig out the worst of the dust\crud outside, and will get it stripped down properly tonight and the keys in to soak in some mild detergent.

[southhamster]

I was handed this the other day from a family member who told me that some keys didn't work correctly and it may need a clean...

 

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It's the stuff of nightmares! I used a paintbrush to dig out the worst of the dust\crud outside, and will get it stripped down properly tonight and the keys in to soak in some mild detergent.

 

That is pretty amazing! A computer spares provider I knew used to put all the keytops in a nylon mesh bag and run it through the dishwasher, as some were disgusting or from industrial sites. No idea what program he used, but the keyboards looked good afterwards! Also, this was back in the days when keyboards were solid (and expensive) with double shot moulded keytops. Disclaimer: no idea what would happen to modern painted on keytops - could end in tears and the extensive use of a Brother labeller...

[Dos_Box]

That is pretty amazing! A computer spares provider I knew used to put all the keytops in a nylon mesh bag and run it through the dishwasher, as some were disgusting or from industrial sites. No idea what program he used, but the keyboards looked good afterwards! Also, this was back in the days when keyboards were solid (and expensive) with double shot moulded keytops. Disclaimer: no idea what would happen to modern painted on keytops - could end in tears and the extensive use of a Brother labeller...

 

I did contemplate the dishwasher (and I have a suitable bag for them), but I have read different reports of the outcome, so I'll just do it the more labour intensive way and do it properly

[dapaulio]

Now that is grim. I’d probably just buy a new one.

 

One thing you could try is kids play slime.

It has that gluey sort of consistency the right viscosity not to seep in to the mechanisms of the keyboard.

[sigma]

Back in the 80’s when I worked for BT, the keyboards and phones, were all sanitised monthly by a specialist cleaner that came round monthly. They had a brush out and some sort of wipe. This was when we all had “terminals” connected to mainframes, not PC’s. The display had a monochrome cathode ray tube. When I first started my “little part-time job” in schools, one of my tasks was to clean the mouse balls and rollers….

[msi_school]

I have put keyboard through the dish washer on the basic cycle without a bag. These where basic Microsoft keyboards and there was about a 5% mortality rate. I never had an issue with the printing coming off the keys but tath room got a lot of hammer I think the life expectancy of the keyboards was about three years.

 

But they where never as bad as that one. I hope you got a nice christmas present.