Your cellphone and your computer keyboard are among the most germ-filled things you use every day. Often times, you can see the fingerprints, food stains and other gunk left behind on the screens. But whether it's your cellphone, your Kindle, earbuds or the television, there's a right and wrong way to clean them.
The first rule of thumb is to never spray any liquid directly onto a device or use disinfecting wipes over the surface. Water damage is the fastest way to void a warranty.
Don't use your pants or your shirt to clean your cellphone, Kindle or computer screen. It can create tiny scratches that weaken the screen over time. Instead, lightly spray a water-vinegar mixture on a microfiber cloth to remove germs and prints. If you don't have a microfiber cloth, a coffee filter will also work.
And the grime that gets clogged in the creases of your cell phone case or TV remote? Use a dry toothbrush to get into the cracks or try a toothpick. The same goes for the wax that forms inside your earbuds. Hold them face down and brush out the build-up. Follow it up with the swipe of a cotton pad lightly dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Tilting your keyboard at a 90-degree angle and using a can of compressed air is the best and safest way to clean it. But you can also run a sticky note in between the keys to pick up dust and dirt.
So how often should you clean your devices? According to Melissa Maker, founder of the popular YouTube show "Clean My Space," your cellphone could use a good wipe down every other day. Your computer and keyboard need a good cleaning at least once a month. Clean your e-reader once a week; and scrub the grime from your TV and remote every two weeks.