Free yourself from the ‘9-to-5 grime’

KAREN WIGHT

Your office and computer need more maintenance than emptying your

PC’s trash can periodically.

If you use your computer with regularity, chances are you’ve built

up an eclectic collection of crumbs, dirt and germs -- “9-to-5

grime.” The computer keyboard is a dirt magnet, and just like the

rest of your office or house requires a thorough cleaning.

Turn your computer off and start with the monitor. Wipe the screen

with a clean, damp cloth. Clean the outside of the monitor with a

mild solution, like a glass cleaner, but don’t spray the cleaning

solution directly on the computer. First, dampen a cloth with cleaner

and then wipe the monitor. If your computer has a mouse with a roller

ball, unscrew the bottom of the mouse and remove the ball. Blow the

dust from the mouse with a can of compressed air (you can find it at

office supply stores). Wipe off the ball and the rollers that are

inside the mouse with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol -- the

alcohol breaks down body oil, lotion and built-up dirt. Let the ball

and mouse dry, then put it back together.

Before you clean the keyboard, disconnect it from the computer.

Turn it upside down and gently shake loose the dirt. Use the

compressed air to deep clean the crevices -- clean the keys with a

cotton swab and rubbing alcohol. Don’t overlook the mouse pad. If you

eat at your desk, chances are you’ve used the pad as a coaster, a

plate and a napkin. Scrub off the pad and let it dry before using.

While you’re on a cleaning spree, clean your phones. Again, never

spray the cleaner directly onto the mechanism. Use a cloth dampened

with cleaner or alcohol. Use an antibacterial wipe on the mouth and

earpieces.

And don’t forget the rest of your desk. Take everything off (don’t

cheat) and wipe off the entire desk. You’ll be surprised how much

dust you’ll find. Shake out the stacks of papers (away from the area

you’re cleaning), your calendar and anything else that stays in one

place. Put all the paperclips back in the magnetic box and tear off

the blank tail on the end of the roll of stamps.

While you’re at it, clean out the pencil drawer. Remove the lead

and ink spots with rubbing alcohol and throw away those saved parking

tokens and coupons that have expired or will never be used.

When was the last time you edited your bulletin board? I thought

so. Take everything off the board. Everything. Get rid of the

superfluous items and go lean and mean. It will get cluttered again,

I promise. How’s the real trash can? Icky, sticky, chunky, lumpy? A

little soap and some elbow grease will solve the problem.

Have you watered the plants recently? Cut off the dead ends and

give them a fresh start. They give you oxygen -- it is the least you

can do.

Carpet? Find the vacuum. Floor? Get the mop. Shelves? Edit and

organize.

Get rid of that “9-to-5” grime and give yourself a fresh start.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Thursdays.