Cleaning Electronic Surfaces

How to Clean Your Frequently Touched Home Surfaces to Prevent Coronavirus

March 27, 2020 Home Touch Screen/Panel Disinfecting Guidelines

Sources: cdc.gov and epa.gov

 

This guidance provides recommendations on the cleaning and sanitization of your home and the household surfaces/components that are frequently touched by more than one person. These tips are suggestions set forth by the CDC with the intention of informing the public on ways to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus. Cleaning and disinfecting anything you touch regularly is the key to protecting yourself and your home from the spread of Covid 19.

To begin with, it is important to distinguish cleaning from disinfecting. Cleaning removes dirt, germs, and impurities. While cleaning does help to reduce germs that can lead to infection, it does not kill the germs. Disinfecting utilizes chemicals to kill germs to reduce/eliminate the chance of infection.

  • First and foremost: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Washing Hands is the first line of defense against the spread of the coronavirus to your household surfaces and devices that are touched hundreds of times throughout the day!
  • Next…Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects DAILY (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water.
  • For your Home Systems like your Lutron dimmers, switches, keypads and faceplates, or your Control4 systems panel, remote controls, AV receivers, and all other home automation devices…
      • ALWAYS clean using a damp cloth with a mild soap and water prior to disinfection.
      • NEVERspray any fluids or chemicals directly on electrical devices.
      • USE hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectants.
      • Commercially available hydrogen peroxide disinfectants can be found on the EPA’s website.
      • Application methods can be in the form of a single-use wipe or liquid solutions can be used to dampen a clean cloth and used to wipe down the surface of the electronic device.
      • Navigate to the EPA’s List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 and search for “Hydrogen Peroxide” in the search bar above the table.
      • Application methods can be in the form of a single-use wipe or liquid solutions can be used to dampen a clean cloth and used to wipe down the surface of the device / faceplate surface.
      • Follow the disinfectant manufacturer’s guidelines for concentrations levels and contact time.
      • Use of disinfectants with other active chemicals such as bleach, isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, and others may result in degraded plastics or icons on your devices or other electronic items.

 

  • NOTE: If the CDC-recommended disinfectants are not available, the best alternative is the use of water and isopropyl alcohol (up to 85% alcohol). Apply the solution to a soft cleaning cloth; do not spray directly onto the touch screen. Wear gloves during the cleaning process. Discard both the gloves and the cleaning cloth following the cleaning process.