Is your keyboard dirtier than a toilet seat?

[antigop]

http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=1788&tag=nl.e622

According to research carried out by consumer group Which? some computer keyboards are home to more harmful bacteria than a toilet seat.

Consumer group Which? said tests at its London offices found equipment carrying bugs that could cause food poisoning.

Out of 33 keyboards swabbed, four were regarded as a potential health hazard and one harboured five times more germs than one of the office’s toilet seats.

Microbiologist Dr Peter Wilson said a keyboard was often “a reflection of what is in your nose and in your gut”.

During the Which? tests in January this year, a microbiologist deemed one of the office’s keyboards to be so dirty he ordered it to be removed, quarantined and cleaned.

It had 150 times the recommended limit for bacteria - five times as filthy as a lavatory seat tested at the same time, the research found.

[ruby slippers]

1. Darn, now you reminded me that I should be cleaning my house rather than

driveling on this message board. First things first....clean my keyboard. Thanks!

[HereSince1628]

2. Well it's a surprise that something so in contact with our hands

would be contaminated with stuff from everywhere that our hands go.

[DAGDA56]

3. So what would be the best way to clean the keyboard? I mean,

without creating mechanical problems (serious question).

[rucky]

7. not with your tongue.

(unserious answer, because I'd like to know as well)

[Warpy]

10. With the puter OFF

Use a damp cloth to rub vigorously across the keyboard. It's the friction that dislodges the bugs. If somebody in the house who uses the puter is sick, then after they use it, do the same thing with a cloth slightly damp with alcohol, just to give it a little antibacterial kick.

Or just realize your fingertips are the most contaminated part of your body and train yourself to scratch your nose with the back of your wrist.

[trotsky]

13. A dishwasher, in all seriousness.

Keys facing down, top rack, no soap.

The hot water will melt away oils and kill germs. Just allow it to fully dry before using again, and it'll be as good as new.

[DemReadingDU]

15. I heard that on NPR last year

6/14/07 Are Computer Keyboards Dishwasher Safe?

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11029793

[shain from kane]

4. "But, Honey, I must have got it from a computer keyboard at work." I'm sure that'll work.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

5. Hmm.

[dipsydoodle]

6. Don't surprise me

One or other of my cats, including a rather large Maine Coon, often feel like sleeping on my keyboard. I dread to think what they're depositing :puke:

[Lobster Martini]

8. Next time I use a car wash, I am tying this keyboard to the roof...

Seriously, there is less dirt in some of my flowerpots...this thing is awful...

[tularetom]

9. Boogers on the keyboard?

I've never found any - I just like typing the word "boogers"

[PDJane]

11. During the SARS outbreak in Toronto,

A company here made a silicone keyboard. Everything is encased, and it is waterproof. I am currently using one...just pick it up, take it to the sink, brush it with soap and water, spray with Lysol.....whatever.

[Orrex]

12. I always make sure to lift the lid when typing at my computer

Common courtesy, and all that.

[MonkeyFunk]

14. That's not very surprising

Office bathrooms are generally cleaned and disinfected daily.

Keyboards, never. I would expect there's a LOT of things you encounter that are dirtier than a toilet seat. There's nothing inherently filthy about ass-cheeks, which are usually the only things to touch toilet seats (when used properly).

[Edward-M]

16. not me!

my keyboard is literally made from solid anti-biotic soap - microban.