Never do this: a popular cleaning method is dangerous for electronics

The popular trend for natural cleaning products is generally beneficial, but not suitable for all situations. For example, baking soda, which is considered a universal substance for cleaning, is by no means suitable for cleaning electronics.

According to House Digest, using baking soda to care for tablets, phones, or TVs can cause undesirable consequences. In particular, it can leave scratches on the screen and damage the internal components of the device.

Why baking soda is dangerous for electronic devices

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a crystalline powder that has mild but still abrasive properties. This allows you to perfectly cope with typical dirt in the kitchen, clean plumbing well, and perform many other household tasks. However, when cleaning gadgets, the powder structure of the product can cause a lot of damage.

Sometimes you can find advice to use baking soda to remove stickers from gadgets. But it is extremely dangerous. In the process, the product can not only scratch the screen but also get inside unnoticed and cause damage to the technological components, which often leads to complete failure of the device.

Even in solution form, soda is dangerous for gadgets. Firstly, it is an aqueous solution, which means that water can get inside with it. Secondly, even if it doesn't cause problems right away, over time, the water will evaporate, leaving a coating of small soda crystals on the electronics. This can damage chips, contacts, and other parts.

How to clean electronics properly

Unlike baking soda, its constant companion, distilled white vinegar, is quite suitable for cleaning gadgets. But you need to use it carefully. Apply it to a microfiber cloth and squeeze it thoroughly so that a minimal amount of the product remains in the fibers. To remove traces on the screen, it is better to dilute vinegar in equal parts with water.

Another good electronics cleaner is isopropyl alcohol. It should also be used carefully, to avoid waterlogging. However, keep in mind that both it and vinegar dissolve the oleophobic coating on smartphone and tablet screens.

Also, remember to turn off and disconnect your gadgets from the power supply before cleaning them. Never clean electronics while they are plugged in. Also, don't forget to check the instructions in your product's user manual. As a rule, manufacturers list appropriate cleaning methods either in the manual or on their official website, so always check them before trying to clean your electronics.

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