I am lucky. Every day I step into my office, and there is my laptop. Nobody has touched it. I do not need to worry about if someone using my desk before me ate dinner, or if they are sick, or if they washed their hands after…. Ok, you get the picture. What can you do about a keyboard a mouse in a shared workspace?
In a perfect world, all users would be assigned their own keyboard and mouse which they could then plug into the datadock on the keyboard surface. This is a great idea if your center has flexibility.
But, what if you are not able to have personal keyboards and mice? Here are some tips:
- Have a designated place to eat food - not at the desk: Have you ever been to a console cleaning seminar? One of the first things they do is turn the keyboard upside down and shake out all the crumbs! YUCK! Cutting down on eating at the workstation will automatically keep your keyboard and mouse cleaner.
- Keep an air compressor handy: When you sit down, immediately turn the air compressor on to blow out all the dust and crumbs. This can get out all the extra stuff you can’t see.
- Wipe it down! : Use disinfectant wipes to remove any germs and dirt from your keyboard and mice before and after every shift.
- Wash Your Hands: Washing your hands constantly can not only will keep you healthier, but will reduce any germs or dirt you leave behind.
- Consider an antimicrobial keyboard or mouse: These are a little bit harder to find and more expensive than normal keyboard and mice, but they are a great investment! Prices start at about $60 for both keyboards and mice. (Just Google antimicrobial keyboard or mouse- you will be shocked at the number of options!)
With cold and flu season coming, it is a great time to start making sure your work space is clean, including your keyboards and mice! Also, just think about how EXCITED your co-workers will be to show up to clean accessories after your shift—they will want to return the favor!
