Expert warns
Bacterial masses collect on this everyday object
Well, what about regular keyboard hygiene?
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It is a real bacterial threat that many people are not aware of. Which device in your home you should definitely clean regularly. And you can read how best to do this here.
Most people clean their toilet, bathtub, oven, kitchen counter (and now even the refrigerator) regularly. But there are so many lurking around a completely different everyday object Bacteria that many people have certainly never suspected could influence their health.
Whether at work or in free time – for most people the computer or laptop is part of everyday life. We hit the keys diligently when we work, play or communicate. And this is exactly where the (bacterial) problem lies!
Bacteria masses on computer keyboard
The computer keyboard is a real source of bacteria because regular use accumulates so much dirt that it is a rather unhygienic item in most households. For example, by frequently eating something on the laptop, crumbs and leftover food end up on the keyboard or we scratch our heads or skin and microscopic skin cells and flakes end up on the device. Bah! In addition, the heat on the keyboard generated by typing is the ultimate breeding ground for pathogens.
There could be more bacteria on your computer keyboard than on a toilet seat.
Josh Gordon is a technology expert at Geonode.com, a global data collection content management system, dedicated to working on digital and health challenges in the home. He has now found out what danger lurks on computer keyboards. And according to the expert, it appears to be larger than one would think, claiming: “There could be more bacteria on your computer keyboard than on a toilet seat.”
Gordon finds the concentration and diversity of bacteria on a keyboard surface “disturbing.” For example, E.coli, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are bacteria that can make us sick and can be found on many keyboards. And an earlier study also confirmed his assumption. Investigations like that of microbiologist Charles Gerba from the University of Arizona showed that there are 400 times as many bacteria on a computer keyboard as in a public toilet. At another study At the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, researchers Glenn Anderson and Enzo A Palombo also demonstrated that shared keyboards tend to have more bacteria than keyboards that are only used by one person.
Know the danger and weigh it yourself
According to the Reactgroup 7.7 million people die from bacterial infections every year. A number that shocks! That doesn’t mean that bacteria on the keyboard have to be a danger to everyone. Often these are harmless germs, but sometimes not. That’s why it’s important to know that people with a previous illness or an already weakened immune system should be careful. Even a cut on the finger can get bacteria into a wound and cause an infection.
However, it is also important to distinguish between the bacteria that cause illness and the bacteria that our immune system needs for healthy body flora. That’s why it’s crucial not to go crazy and think you have to fight all bacteria. A careful approach can be enough for good hygiene in the workplace.
Here’s how to avoid a potential bacteria hotspot on your keyboard:
- Most people unnoticed touch their face up to 800 times a day. This is also how viruses get onto the keyboard and back into our system. It is therefore important to wash your hands regularly to prevent infections – especially after using the toilet!
- You should also wash your hands after eating before going back to work on your laptop.
- Ideally, you should avoid eating even at work, because eating food increases the likelihood that leftover food will end up between the keys.
- A keyboard cover is ideal. This can be cleaned more easily or replaced if necessary.
- You should clean your keyboard regularly with disinfectant wipes or special disinfectants for computers.
- So-called keyboard vacuum cleaners can be a great help in thoroughly removing crumbs. In general, you can also clean your keys with compressed air to make it easier to remove dirt.
Ultimately, it is crucial to develop routine keyboard hygiene and be more conscious about handling food when working on the computer – whether in the office, in the children’s room or at home. “Keyboard hygiene is no longer just a side note, but a must,” says expert Josh Gordon. In his opinion, it is also about creating a safer and healthier digital environment for everyone.
Sources used: center4research.org, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, arizona.edu, journals.sagepub.com, reactgroup.org, geonode.com