Katarzyna Petru
A smartphone in hand for half a day, a laptop at our fingertips from morning till night, headphones in our ears practically every day – we use these things non-stop, but cleaning… that's a topic usually overlooked. It's a pity, as it’s not just about aesthetics or hygiene – dirt can affect the performance of the equipment and our health.
Logitech states clearly: cleaner devices = better performance + longer lifespan + fewer bacteria. Especially with headphones – microorganisms accumulate there, which can cause infections or simply – discomfort.
Before You Begin
First, check what the manufacturer says – for example, Apple, Samsung, Lenovo – as they sometimes have specific recommendations.
Prepare the following:
a microfibre cloth (important – without lint),
cotton swabs,
a soft brush (e.g. for teeth or makeup),
compressed air (or a hairdryer with a cool setting),
isopropyl alcohol (preferably 90%+),
optionally: micellar water and distilled water.
vinegar.
Protip: Isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly and does not leave streaks – ideal for electronics. Just don’t pour it directly onto the equipment. Always onto the cloth. You may also want to wear gloves as it dries out the skin.
Keyboard and Mouse
What collects there… doesn’t look good. Crumbs, grease, dust – a classic.
Disconnect everything. Remove batteries, cables, turn off the equipment.
Turn the keyboard upside down and give it a gentle shake.
Use compressed air to blow the rubbish out from between the keys (or a hairdryer on cold). A balloon pump also works.
Wipe the keys with a cloth dampened with water or gently with isopropyl alcohol (test it first on a corner – to avoid rubbing off the markings).
Mouse? Same thing – a damp cloth, an antibacterial wipe can also be used (but not soaked).
Screen
Dry microfibre – for basic smudges and fingerprints.
Harder stains? Make a 50/50 mixture of distilled water and vinegar. Wipe gently.
Do not use glass cleaners! They contain ammonia and can damage the screen.
Toilet paper/paper towels? Also not suitable – they can scratch the surface.
Lenovo says vinegar works great on finger grease. HP warns against using alcohol on the screen – it can destroy the protective coating.
Headphones and AirPods
Daily in the ears = a lot of wax, sweat, and bacteria.
Headphones with silicone tips:
Remove the tips and wash them in soapy water.
Wipe the sound part with a cotton swab.
Sony recommends not using wet wipes – only a dry cloth.
AirPods:
Prepare: a children's toothbrush, micellar water, distilled water, paper towel.
Dip the toothbrush in the micellar water, wipe the mesh (where the sound is).
Wipe with paper, repeat 2 times.
Repeat the whole process with distilled water.
Dry for at least 2 hours.
Wipe the case with a damp cloth. The case? Clean it with a dry brush and wipe with alcohol.
Over-ear headphones (e.g. Bose):
Wipe them once a week.
After training, it is essential.
Remove the ear pads, rinse with soapy water.
Smartphone
Apple and Samsung are clear:
Only use a microfibre cloth.
Do not use regular cleaning agents – they may damage the oleophobic coating (the one that prevents fingerprints).
Isopropyl alcohol – OK, but with caution.
No bleach, hydrogen peroxide or other aggressive agents.
Regular cleaning of equipment is not a luxury – it’s a necessity.
Syfy from the keyboard, wax from the headphones, streaks from the screen – everything can be tackled in a few minutes.
You don’t need expensive products – just a microfibre cloth, alcohol, and a little bit of attention.
Take care of your devices just as they take care of your world every day.
