Cleaning and Disinfecting Electronics

Desktop Accessories

We understand you may have questions about cleaning and disinfecting electronics and devices. The guidance below applies to desktop towers, monitors or display screens, docking stations, keyboards, and mice.

  1. We recommended you wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
  2. Turn off the device you plan to clean and disconnect AC power. Also remove batteries from items like wireless keyboards. Never clean a product while it is powered on or plugged in.
  3. Disconnect any external devices.
  4. Never spray any liquids directly onto the product.
  5. Moisten a microfiber cloth with a mixture of 70% isopropyl alcohol / 30% water. The cloth should be damp, but not dripping wet. Excess moisture should be removed if the cloth is wet before wiping the product. Using any material other than a microfiber cloth could cause damage to your product.
  6. Gently wipe the moistened cloth on the surfaces to be cleaned. Do not allow any moisture to drip into areas like keyboards, display panels, etc. Moisture entering the inside of an electronic product can cause damage to the product. Excessive wiping potentially could lead to damaging some surfaces.
  7. When cleaning a display screen, carefully wipe in one direction, moving from the top of the display to the bottom. (Our Monitors are not glass and have an anti-glare film and only special wipes should be used)
  8. Surfaces must be completely air-dried before turning the device on after cleaning. No moisture should be visible on the surfaces of the product before it is powered on or plugged in.
  9. After cleaning or disinfecting a glass surface, it may be cleaned again using a glass cleaner designed for display surfaces following directions for that specific cleaner. We recommend you avoid glass cleaning products containing Ammonia.
  10. Discard the disposable gloves used after each cleaning. Clean your hands immediately after gloves are removed and disposed.

You may experience some visible cosmetic changes to finishes over time as a result of the cleaning process outlined above on some surfaces. Other cleaning chemicals are very harsh and will damage surfaces. 

Avoid using any of the following chemicals or products containing these chemicals:

  • Any chlorine-based cleaner, such as bleach
  • Peroxides (including hydrogen peroxide)
  • Solvents such as; acetone, paint thinner, benzene, methylene chloride or toluene
  • Ammonia (i.e. Windex)
  • Ethyl alcohol

Using any of the chemicals listed above will cause permanent damage to some product surfaces. By following the steps outlined in this document, you can minimize the risk of damage.

From https://www.dell.com/support/article/en-us/sln308919/guidance-for-keeping-your-dell-technologies-equipment-clean?lang=en

If no guidance from the manufacturer, use alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol. Dry surface thoroughly.   

From  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html

Cleaning Copiers and Printers

The following guidance is applicable to surfaces of Multifunction Devices, Printers, and Presses (e.g. panels, buttons, user interfaces, display screens, touch screens, doors/access handles).

  1. Wear disposable gloves made of latex or nitrile gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
  2. Turn off the device, disconnect AC power, and unplug device from the outlet before cleaning. Do not clean a product while it is powered on and plugged in as it may cause electrification.
  3. Moisten a clean, soft, lint free, cotton cloth with a mixture of 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water (also known as rubbing alcohol). Do not use fibrous materials, such as paper towels. The cloth should be moist with no free liquid to ensure dripping does not occur.
  4. Do not spray any liquids directly onto the product.
  5. Gently wipe the moistened cloth on the surfaces to be cleaned. Take care to prevent moisture from entering inside the product or between gaps around the control panel or buttons. Disinfectant entering the product may result in extensive damage or failure due to corrosion.
  6. When cleaning a display screen or control panel, carefully wipe in one direction, moving from the top of the display to the bottom. Do not rub the control panel strongly as it can be easily scratched or cracked.
  7. Ensure surfaces have completely air-dried before turning the device on after cleaning. No moisture should be visible on the surface of the product before it is powered back on.
  8. Discard gloves after each cleaning. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.

Instructions for Safe Handling

It is important to handle isopropyl alcohol in a safe manner.

  • Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing.
  • Keep away from heat and sources of ignition.
  • Use with adequate ventilation.
  • Store in a cool, well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • In the event of contact with isopropyl alcohol, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.

Other Precautions

  1. Usage of high levels of alcohol may result in color unevenness, discoloration, cracks in the surface, or blurs. Be sure to follow the precautions above and try the cleaning on an inconspicuous area first.
  2. Follow Xerox approved and documented cleaning methods for components that are part of regular system maintenance.

Taken from: https://www.xerox.com/en-us/about/how-to-clean-printers

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