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There's an eyelash on my keyboard. Time to make a wish?
It's been fun having video game breaks and connecting with gamers. However, with the current pandemic, it's important to take note of what we hold onto dearly and take care of them. That can be especially true when you're gaming: you're touching many surfaces even when claiming a victory in a battle royale. Let's understand what we are touching and how we can take measures to sanitize and maintain that clean skillshot the next time you look at that beautifully powerful gaming tech.
These stats about our equipment may be disturbing.
Here are the bits and pieces you may find in your keyboard: paper, crumbs, hairs, staples, dead skin, and dead bugs.
According to the University of Arizona researchers, the "average desktop has 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat." Computer keyboards have 3,295 microbes per square inch, while a computer mice has 1,676. A phone? At least 25,127 microbes per square inch.
You can find more about the University of Arizona study here.
What about my gaming peripherals?
Let's look at what else needs to be cleaned: gaming controllers, the cords, the gaming console itself (especially the fan), a microphone, the gaming headsets, smartphones, and the monitor.
Another awful statistic to read: a gaming controller contains an average of 7,863 germs per 100 square cm. The germs are from a mix of settings: leaving the controller on another surface, passing the controller to another person, etc.
In order to avoid showing statistics about germs and equipment, let's rid of the gunk by understanding various cleaning tools and methods to do so!
Let's clean up the gunk!
First and foremost, your general hygiene is important. Wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer before and after gaming, and clean equipment as much as you can.
While Xbox and Nintendo have instructions on cleaning their consoles properly, below are several things to have with you:
Toothpick
Q-tip
Isopropyl alcohol
Disinfectant wipe
Can of compressed air
Soft cloth
Water (but, be careful)
Cleaning time!
Click the titles in bold to learn more about cleaning your equipment:
Gaming Controller: Pressing buttons is our forte. Now, let's clean them.
Keyboard: *Cleaning the keyboard as soon as I finish this sentence.*
More Controllers: This article has photos and videos on how to clean the controller as well as how to fix any stuck buttons!
More Keyboards: This article simplifies how to clean your keyboard.
Remember to continue to clean, wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and to not forget to smile. :)
Game on,
Jox, Jox Digital Educator
info@jox.digital
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