Home office: check each device before cleaning
Turn devices off safely, check care instructions and keep liquid away from openings. Clean electronics and desk surfaces as separate tasks.
Before cleaning a monitor, laptop, keyboard or mouse, switch the devices off and, where possible, unplug the power or charging cable. For wireless devices, remove the batteries if this is intended. This avoids short circuits and accidental inputs.
Look at the manufacturer's care instructions. Many manufacturers state exactly which cloths and products are suitable for the screen and casing and which can cause damage. These instructions take priority over general tips.
| Situation | Appropriate action |
|---|---|
| Screen | Switch off, use an approved soft cloth; check special coatings, never spray directly. |
| Keyboard and mouse | Disconnect power, remove crumbs dry; do not remove keys unless approved. |
| Desk and cable area | Clear desk, wipe for its material; clean power strips dry and safely disconnected. |
Cleaning the screen gently
A switched-off, dark screen shows dust and fingerprints best. First wipe it dry with a soft, clean microfibre cloth using gentle movements. Do not press on the display, as some panels are pressure-sensitive.
If that is not enough, very slightly dampen the cloth with water or a screen cleaner approved by the manufacturer. Never spray directly onto the screen so that no liquid runs into the frame. Do not use glass cleaner, household cleaners, paper towels or scouring pads unless the manufacturer explicitly allows them.
- Device off, unplugged
- Wipe dry first
- Only slightly dampen the cloth
- Never spray directly
Keyboard and mouse
Disconnect the keyboard as instructed. Remove loose crumbs using the maker’s approved dry method, such as a soft brush. Vacuuming, compressed air and removing keys are not suitable for every device; use them only if expressly approved.
Wipe the key surfaces and the mouse with a barely damp cloth that does not drip. Let everything dry completely before switching the devices back on. If liquid has got into the keyboard, switch it off immediately and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Desk and surfaces
Clear the desk before cleaning so you can reach the whole surface. Wipe it with a damp cloth and mild cleaner depending on the material; wood only slightly damp and then dried. Keep your distance from power strips and devices while doing so.
Clean phones, headphones and lamps like the keyboard: switched off and only with a barely damp cloth. Headphone cushions and earbuds often have their own manufacturer instructions.
Tidying cables and avoiding dust
Tangled cables and dust collect under desks. Bundle cables with reusable hook-and-loop ties or run them in a cable channel. This makes vacuuming the floor underneath easier. Switch devices off and safely disconnect cables and power strips from the mains before cleaning. Clean them only by the dry method specified by the manufacturer. If you cannot safely disconnect them, do not clean them yourself. Keep all moisture away from plugs, sockets and other connections.
Do not keep cleaning damaged cables, loose plugs or power strips that get warm; replace them or have them checked. Keep the vents of laptops and computers free of dust without opening the casing.
- Bundle cables
- Clean power strips only dry
- Replace damaged cables
- Keep vents clear
Further reading
Order as a routine
A short routine at the end of each working day helps: take cups to the kitchen, file papers, clear the desk. Once a week, clean the screen, keyboard and desk more thoroughly. A tidy space also makes it easier to concentrate the next morning.
With PUTZIO you can book regular apartment cleaning in the supported municipalities around Zurich and Rapperswil-Jona for CHF 40 per hour; the work corner in your apartment is cleaned as part of normal cleaning, for example the desk surface and floor. Electronic devices are best cleaned by yourself. Office cleaning for business premises cannot currently be booked.
Further reading