Cleaning Your Device

The Distinctive Schools Information Technology department recommends the following cleaning solution(s) for DS devices:

Water-based solutions with at least 70% alcohol. Some off the shelf products that can be purchased are:
- Isopropyl alchohol, 70% or greater (can be found in most drug stores)
- Disinfectant Wipes (approved wipes can be found HERE under the "Wipe Products" heading)

This article will focus on how to best disinfect the following devices with each type of cleaner:

Laptops (Chromebooks, MacBooks, etc)
iPads

IMPORTANT: When cleaning an electronic device, you must be extra careful of liquids seeping into keyboards, and through cracks in the device that potentially may damage it. Please carefully review the following steps:

💻 💻 💻 LAPTOPS (Chromebooks, MacBooks, all PC laptops, etc) 💻💻 💻

Disinfecting a laptop with isopropyl alcohol (70% or greater)

Power down the laptop and place on a flat stable surface, keeping the lid open at a 90 degree angle.
Spray or dab alcohol on a dry, soft, clean cloth. The cloth should be damp but not soaked.
Wipe the outside surfaces and sides of the laptop first, tilting the laptop if needed (while still keeping stable on the flat surface)
Without pressing down, lightly wipe the screen.
Without pressing down, lightly wipe the top of the keyboard.
Without pressing down, lightly wipe the palm rests and trackpad.
Leave laptop open to air dry completely; do not wipe off. Do not close lid or power back on until all alcohol has evaporated.

Cleaning a laptop with a Disinfectant Wipe

Power down the laptop and place on a flat stable surface, keeping the lid open at a 90 degree angle.
Completely wring out ALL excess liquid from one wipe back into the container.
Wipe the outside surfaces and sides of the laptop first, tilting the laptop if needed (while still keeping stable on the flat surface).
Without pressing down, lightly wipe the screen.
Without pressing down, lightly wipe the top of the keyboard.
Without pressing down, lightly wipe the palm rests and trackpad.
Leave laptop open to air dry completely; do not wipe off. Do not close lid or power back on until all liquid has evaporated.

📱📱📱IPADS📱📱📱

Cleaning an iPad with isopropyl alcohol (70% or greater)

On a flat, stable surface, power down the iPad. Leave the iPad in its case.
Spray or dab alcohol on a dry, soft, clean cloth. The cloth should be damp but not soaked.
With the screen facing down, wipe the back of the iPad completely.
Turn iPad over screen-side-up. Without pressing down, lightly wipe the screen and bezel/frame.
Without pressing, lightly wipe the home button.
Depending on the case-type, wipe off any other flap-coverings etc.
Leave iPad screen-side-up to air dry completely; do not wipe off. Do not cover the screen or power back on until all alcohol has evaporated.

Cleaning an iPad with a Disinfectant Wipe

On a flat, stable surface, power down the iPad. Leave the iPad in its case.
Completely wring out ALL excess liquid from one wipe back into the container.
With the screen facing down, wipe the back of the iPad completely.
Turn iPad over screen-side-up. Without pressing down, lightly wipe the screen and bezel/frame.
Without pressing, lightly wipe the home button.
Depending on the case-type, wipe off any other flap-coverings etc.
Leave iPad screen-side-up to air dry completely; do not wipe off. Do not cover the screen or power back on until all liquid has evaporated.