Let's talk dirty
Posted 20 September 2007 at 8:38AM by Simon Dickson in IT systems and support
Sitting comfortably at your PC? Then you probably don't want to know that your keyboard has 67 times as many germs on it as your toilet seat. This week is Computer Cleaning Week. Of course, it's a marketing exercise by a company which happens to sell computer cleaning products. But they're right: all too often, we clean around our computer kit, and never actually clean the kit itself.
I'm happy to come clean: I do keep a microfibre cloth by my PC to dust the monitor every so often, but I don't think I've ever used it on the keyboard. For some reason, it's perfectly acceptable in a normal office environment to have a filthy PC. Looking downwards as I write this, my own keyboard is not a pretty sight. But interestingly, it's easy to tell which keys I don't use on a regular basis. The 'tab' key is almost sparkling white, but the funny little one just above it (whose name or purpose, I have to admit, I don't actually know) is more like ivory. And I clearly use the smaller 'shift' key, on the left of the keyboard, much more than the larger one on the right.
If your stomach isn't churning yet, Durable - the company behind the promotion - suggest you put a sheet of paper on your desk; turn your keyboard upside-down above it; and see what falls out. (Bear with me... Er, actually, that is pretty gross.)
They reckon two-thirds of us feel we're expected to clean our own office PCs, even if the office has a cleaner. We all know it should only take a few minutes each week to dust, wipe and blow the worst of the dirt away: but as we'd all admit, it's even easier to ignore it. But come on folks, it's Computer Cleaning Week! I'm just off to get a cloth.
PS: If anyone knows what that top-left key is actually used for these days, leave a comment. And is it the filthiest key on your keyboard, or is another one even worse?
Tags: cleaning, durable, health and safety, hygiene
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Comments
2. At September 20, 2007 2:19 PM, Scott wrote:
The button in corner is also useful in some text fonts, as the apostrophe doesn't automatically reverse itself.
The dirtiest one on my keyboard is the "inset" button. In fact, the delete key is the only clean one in that bunch of 6!!!
3. At September 20, 2007 2:39 PM, Pam wrote:
My office has black keyboards ... I think this is a ploy so we don't notice the dirty keyboards as much.
As for tipping the board upside down, I concur: Urgh!
4. At September 20, 2007 6:42 PM, Dark Djinn wrote:
Why on earth will I want to get rid of all the beautiful germs that give me a cold => hence at least a week's extra paid-for holiday, on demand?
Someone should sue ...what's the name? Durable? And whilst we are wondering which keys are the cleaniest, I can easily say that all mine are clean, 'cos I have to give them a good lick to get the right germs (hey! different keys different germs different symptoms)...it saves the environment?
5. At September 20, 2007 9:11 PM, Andrew wrote:
The top left key - on this keyboard has ~ (often called "twiddles") and is used in temp file names. So, when you want to search an dclean up - it comes in quite useful.
Cleaning - once a week I will turn my keyboard upside down and give it a good shake - the amount of debris, hairs, dust, skin &c can be unbelievable.
6. At September 21, 2007 9:05 AM, Batista wrote:
my keyboard will probably need taken down with a spear soon!
the animal in it was truely unleashed when i gave it a good shake!
7. At September 21, 2007 10:20 AM, Charlie Bransden wrote:
Dirty keyboards? We must lay claim to some spectacularly filthy keyboards. We grow veggies, herbs and flowers, and the farm office is in constant use, come rain or shine. Suffice to say it pays to know, as far as possible, touch typing for when things get really gross.
Farmboy Charlie.
8. At September 21, 2007 10:49 AM, turboboy wrote:
I just flipped my bosses keyboard over and everything from a staple to a fingernail fell out!!
As well as telephone keypads, mobile phones are filthy beggars too.
9. At September 25, 2007 4:52 PM, martyn wrote:
Who needs cleaning products when i can pick up a replacement keyboard for £3?
It is the windows washer that i have difficulty with.I just cant seem to get the damn thing in the washing machine !
10. At September 26, 2007 11:25 AM, Kevin wrote:
I dont think our company insurance covers the shaking of keyboards.
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1. At September 20, 2007 11:13 AM, anjanesh wrote: