Keyboard and Mouse Cleaner review
It is a known fact that computer keyboards and mice are home to more germs on average than toilet seats. Why that is the case? Two things come together here to build this fatal combo. First, toilets are cleaned more often than computer keyboards or mice on average. I have seen my fair share of keyboards that have not been cleaned once, and things like smoking or eating while working usually turn a brand new keyboard into something that you would not want to sit on, if it were a toilet.
The second factor that plays a role is that keyboards are often used by several users. This is especially true in work places without fixed seating order, public locations like Internet cafes or libraries, and maybe even at home when a family shares a computer system.
What you can do about it? Cleaning comes to mind of course, but you can also prevent your keyboard from getting dirtier by making sure you do not eat at your workplace, especially not if you eat something with your hands, and to wash or sanitize your hands regularly, especially after using them for other activities.
I usually come up with the idea to clean my keyboard or mouse when I'm working on a computer which does not work out that well for obvious reasons. Since it is necessary to give the keyboard and mouse a thorough cleaning, it usually interferes with what is going on on the system at that time.
On some systems, it is possible to simply disconnect the mouse or keyboard from the PC but if the connectors are not easily reachable, it may not be an optimal solution on all systems.
Software like Keyboard and Mouse Cleaner, or the previously reviewed Toddler Keys, add another option. You can use those programs to lock the keyboard and mouse so that accidental clicks and taps do not have any effect on the computer.
To use the portable software simply download and unpack it to your system. Once done, run the program, set a cleaning time in seconds, and click on the clean button to start the cleaning.
Once done, keyboard and mouse input are locked so that you can clean them thoroughly.
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Of course it’s a good idea to clean things before or after you power up, but my mind works differently while on and off of my computer.
It’s the so called real world that dumbs me down and not the other way around like some people claim.
I actually like this idea.
Martin, is there an override option? Or can I just close the program to return control of the keyboard and mouse when I want?
There is no override other than restarting as far as I know.
To this day I still use Toddler Trap:: https://www.ghacks.net/2008/04/16/toddler-trap/
The program hasn’t been updated for 5 years but it still works flawlessly.
A testament to good code.
“It is a known fact that computer keyboards and mice are home to more germs on average than toilet seats.”
Well, thanks for the info. Worst news ever for people with germaphobic tendencies ;(
Guess I’ll have to quit my student assistant job. Too many people use the PCs.
If you can, bring your own keyboard and mouse ;)
Don’t know if you are joking bob, but you can turn your mouse upside down (or off) and activate screensaver test in the screensaver setup with a key. Or you could use one of those LCD tester / dead pixel finder things to make your screen black.
Big monitors should have an off switch but laptops tend only to turn the backlight off.
How about some software that will turn your screen black so you can clean it easier?
Turn … off … the computer? Are you mad?
lol… Smart one… I clean my mouse/keyboard truly regurarly, but always while I’m on Windows, and usually after I finish, calculators, start menus and several explorer windows are open… :S
I don’t know why I never remember to clean ’em before I start the PC…
> Anyway, as Nietzsche said “That which does not kill you makes you stronger†:) :)
Try having your limbs ripped off.
Also, pitaschio used to have a keyboard/mouse cleaning feature and it is a shame the dev stopped updating it. I’ll try this later :)
It is a known fact that computer keyboards and mice are home to more germs on average than toilet seats.
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But they are different germs! :)
Anyway, as Nietzsche said “That which does not kill you makes you stronger” :) :)
Or you know, you can clean that sort of stuff when the computer is turned off…
Also I checked out their site, and man what a bunch of crappy software. May I request you do a review of their “Gadget – Dancers” next.