How to Clean Your iPad
Putting it in a bag of rice won’t do the trick this time.
There are right and wrong ways to clean electronic devices.
March 16, 2020
With the concerns surrounding COVID-19, people have been wanting to be cleaner than ever. The CDC recommends that everyone clean “high-touch” surfaces every day. That includes phones, keyboards, and tablets.
We touch our electronic devices a lot. That makes them a great place for all kinds of bad stuff (bacteria, viruses, etc.) to collect and then find their way into our bodies. And, since we will all be using our iPads in order to keep up with our school work over the next month, you may want to know how to clean it without destroying it.
These instructions can apply to more than iPads, if you are wondering about other things, like your phone or laptop. They can also apply to non-Apple products.
Here’s an overview of the cleaning instructions from Apple’s customer support page:
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Use soft, lint-free cloth (like glasses cloths or microfiber)
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Do not use abrasive clothes or abrasive cleaning products (used for polishing, grinding, or cleaning hard surfaces)
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Do not use aerosol sprays or bleach
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You may use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes or Clorox wipes to gently wipe the hard, non-porous surfaces of your device.
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Unplug power sources before wiping it down (we don’t want you to get electrocuted)
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Do not get moisture into openings (contrary to popular belief putting it in a bag of rice doesn’t fix everything)
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Do not spray liquid directly on your device (that kind of goes along with the “keeping liquid out of openings” thing)
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Once you wipe it down it is important to let it air-dry. This gives whatever you’re using a chance to kill all of the bad stuff.
If you scroll down on this page, there are specific instructions for all of Apple’s different products.
