In a study just published by Britain's Which? Computing magazine, alarming levels of dangerous bacteria and other gross-out biological matter was found on many computer keyboards. A microbiologist examined and measured bacteria levels on 33 keyboards in an office, and one was found to be five times dirtier than the office toilet seat, carrying 150 times the acceptable limit of bacteria. Two others had 'warning' levels of bacteria, and a further two had elevated levels of coliform, which is usually associated with fecal matter.
Eating at your desk along with poor personal hygiene are primarily responsible for these problems, so it might make sense to invest in some kind of cleaning device. Some have also said that you can actually wash a standard keyboard in your dishwasher as long as you remove it before it melts in the dry cycle, but don't take my word for it.
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By TheAdlerian at 12:53 PM ON 05/03/08
For a period I was a therapist at a methadone clinic. My keyboard literally had mold hair growing all over it, and even though I cleaned it, it would grow back in a few days.
I never got sick though.
By ohmish at 1:57 PM ON 05/03/08
I became obsessive about hand washing when I started out doing desktop IT support. This is why; having your hands all over everyone's keyboards is disgusting. I am always shocked by how nasty people let their keyboards get, especially women who wear lots of makeup.
A keyboard costs $7, yet most companies will try to recycle old keyboards on new employees. Yuck. Always ask for a new (sealed) mouse and keyboard when you start a job, clean the handset on your phone.
By bernard at 5:48 AM ON 05/04/08
Dirtier than a toilet seat.
I've now discarded my keyboard and installed the toilet seat instead. Looks odd. And the wife has letters on the backs of her legs.
By ITrush at 9:25 AM ON 05/04/08
Yuckies! Lol.
By murc at 1:58 PM ON 05/04/08
I clean my keyboard like once a month...not a lot, but I'm sure its more then most people.
But for all those germophobes out there. I'd suggest buying the Logitech keyboard & mouse 3200 MX.
it has antimicrobial coating on it.
http://www.crunchgear.com/2006/10/17/logitech-cordless-desktop-mx-3200-with-antimicrobial-technology/
By shockedbutnot at 4:54 PM ON 05/04/08
I love the fact that that is personal computer and not a work computer, I love the cigarette marks and the 5th of Gordon's Gin in the shot, looks like a very popular guy who gets out much.
all jokes aside, that is disgusting. Anybody got suggestion for laptop keyboard cleanup?
Also next time your at work, dim the lights and look at the keyboard with a black light, see what you find
By cbroumand at 2:08 PM ON 05/05/08
Man & Machine manufacturers a variety of keyboards and mice that can be properly cleaned and disinfected. The Really Cool keyboards come in a variety of sizes and styles and can be cleaned with alcohol, chemical disinfectants, and even soap and water. They also protect from coffee spills and food being dropped on the keyboards. You can check out the keyboards at www.man-machine.com