What’s the dirtiest spot in your house? Floor? Nah. Toilet seat? Not even close.
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- May
- 8
Given that we’ve talked so much in recent days about the little ones’ propensity for eating off the floor when given half a chance and whether or not that’s a hygenic thing to do 
(resolution, at least in my mind: Despite what all the experts say, it depends how clean your floor is, what kind of food it is, and if it landed face up or face down), this article from The Daily Mail in Britain caught my attention.
Apparently, the British consumer group Which? tested quipment in its own offices in London and found that keyboards were way grosser than toilet seats, floors, whatever.
They dubbed the diseases one could get from such an icky piece of equipment “qwerty tummy” (look at the top row of letters on your keyboard – q-w-e-r-t-y).
One keyboard was so dirty that a microbiologist ordered it to be removed, quarantined and cleaned.It had 150 times the acceptable limit for bacteria and was five times as filthy as a typical lavatory seat.
OK, first off, I never want to work with anyone whose keyboard is so disgusting that it has to be QUARANTINED.
A scientist for Which? took swabs from 33 keyboards and tested them for food poisoning bugs, e.coli, coliforms, staphylococcus aureus and enterobacteria. Then they compared those results to those for a toilet seat and the door handle for a bathroom (not clear if it was the handle on a stall or the door to the rest room itself).
Ewww.
Four of the keyboards were considered a potential health hazard and one was “condemned.”Two had “warning levels” of staphylococcus aureus and two others had “worryingly elevated” levels of coliforms and enterobacteria, “putting users at high risk of becoming ill from contact.”
The culprit? Eating at your desk.
Which? computing editor Sarah Kidner:
The main cause of a bug-infested keyboard is eating lunch at desks, as the food deposits encourage the growth of millions of bacteria.Poor personal hygiene, such as dodging hand washing after going to the lavatory, may also be to blame.
Most people don’t give much thought to the grime that builds up on their PC, but if you don’t clean your computer, you might as well eat your lunch off a lavatory seat.
Good reason not to let your children eat while sitting at the computer, eh?
Best way to clean? Unplug your computer and wipe it down with a damp, soft, lint-free cloth. Unplug your keyboard, turn it upside down and shake it. Preferably outside. Over a Dumpster. While wearing a Haz-Mat suit.
Or, just buy one of these, maybe?
Photo by Bruce Lipsky / Florida Times-Union, via Associated Press, of a Silver Seal keyboard washing demonstration.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, May 8th, 2008 at 5:10 pm by Amy Vernon.
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I think I would be scared to have mine tested. I often eat while at the keyboard. I did some muck out from it (laptop) when my toddler picked of 5 keys yesterday!
BTW – I have a free e-book to download on my my site that you might be interested in called Planning With Kids Top 100 Tips.
If you have the cache you can get a germ safe flexible keyboard. The material its made form seems to repel germs. Its also fully encased so you can actually wash it down.
I can think of one thing dirtier.. besides my mind.. Money..
oops. i meant cash. cache. has to dowith memory. sorry i was multitasking and taking care of a computer issue as well. —-
an excellent point, Steve. Money is extremely dirty, yet hardly anyone gives it a second thought. I know that I try not to let the kiddies touch money (for a variety of reason, including the fact that I don’t want them swallowing quarters), and if I’m handling money I will wash my hands before touching food.
I hate it when I’m in any sort of a cafeteria or whathaveyou where they wear gloves to handle food, then take the money with said gloves. What’s the point?
I shake it plus I wipe it with alcohol, both the keyboard and the mouse. And dont forget to wipe your desk as well.
They have some good tips and tricks and one of the tips they had was to mix mouthwash with water and then use that to wipe the keyboard. 
I’m a big fan of How clean is your house…
Oh and if you need any tips how to use vinegar for cleaning let me know
here are a few: there was one i really liked but i lost the link to it. it was pretty cool looking
http://ergobilities.com/ProductDetail.asp?style=71958&source=google&adgroup=duraflex&adtext=washit&gclid=CNqRuPmpmpMCFRMHxgodOhzUwA
http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/19/silver-seal-antibacterial-washable-mouse-and-keyboard/
here’s a few more:
http://wellland.manufacturer.globalsources.com/si/6008800006598/pdtl/Computer-wired/8847307397/Multimedia-Foldable-Rollable-Keyboard.htm
http://forrum.manufacturer.globalsources.com/si/6008826184650/pdtl/Computer-wired/1003502071/German-Keyboard.htm
ok i am done.. have fun everyone!!!
I have put my keyboard in the dishwasher and this will clean it and the bugs.
Let it dry out for a week and it will be fine. All germs gone, everyone healthy again.
http://happykidshealthykids.blogspot.com/
I have put my keyboard in the dishwasher and this will clean it and the bugs.
Let it dry out for a week and it will be fine. All germs gone, everyone healthy again.