Guidance for Disinfecting your Computing Equipment

Apple Guidance

Apple devices are made up of a variety of materials. Each device may have it's own specific cleaning/disinfecting instructions. For more information on cleaning a specific Apple device, visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172.

Things to Remember

  • Use only a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid abrasive cloths, towels, paper towels, or similar items. 
  • Avoid excessive wiping, which might cause damage. 
  • Unplug all external power sources, devices, and cables.
  • Keep liquids away from the product, unless otherwise noted for specific products.
  • Don't get moisture into any openings.
  • Don't use aerosol sprays, bleaches, or abrasives.
    • 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are ok to use.
  • Don't spray cleaners directly onto the item.
  • Wear gloves while cleaning

Cleaning Instructions for MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air

  1. Shut down your computer.
  2. Use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the computer's exterior. Remove excess moisture from the cloth before wiping the device.
  3. For computer screens, dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with water only, then use it to clean the computer's screen. Remove excess moisture from the cloth before wiping the device.
  4. For an internal or external keyboard, trackpad, and mouse, use a disinfectant wipe to wipe the area first, then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth, and finally dry the area with another soft, lint-free cloth. Remove excess moisture from the cloth before wiping the device.

Dell Computers

The guidance below applies to all Dell-branded PCs, monitors or display screen, docking stations, keyboards, and mice.

Thing to Remember

  • Use a mixture of 70% isopropyl alcohol / 30% water
  • Never spray any liquids directly onto the product
  • Do not allow any moisture to drip into areas like keyboards, display panels, etc.
  • Excessive wiping potentially could lead to damaging some surfaces.
  • Do not use any chlorine-based cleaner, such as bleach
  • Do not use Peroxides (including hydrogen peroxide)
  • Do no use Solvents such as; acetone, paint thinner, benzene, methylene chloride or toluene
  • Do not use Ammonia (i.e. Windex)
  • Do not use Ethyl alcohol
  • Wear gloves while cleaning

Cleaning All Dell-branded PC's, Monitors, Display Screens, Docking Stations, Keyboards, and Mice

  1. Turn off the device you plan to clean and disconnect AC power. Remove batteries from items like wireless keyboards.
  2. Disconnect any external devices.
  3. Moisten a microfiber cloth with a mixture of 70% isopropyl alcohol / 30% water. Remove excess moisture from the cloth before wiping the device. 
  4. Gently wipe the moistened cloth on the surfaces to be cleaned. 
  5. When cleaning a display screen, carefully wipe in one direction, moving from the top of the display to the bottom.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

For a video on cleaning Dell-branded equipment, visit https://youtu.be/dD6Q6vur2sQ

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