Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 5: The Wrap-Up

This week, it's time to bring our digital spring cleaning to a close with a quick wrap-up . . . and a special, bonus round, digital-style This or That.

As a wrap-up, I just want to share three things I discovered this week that you might be interested in as you work through your digital spring cleaning:

Thing One: Wirecutter recently published practical guides for "locking down" and securing your computer against digital threats. There is one for Mac users, and another for PC users. The advice is simple to understand - and easy to execute. Highly recommend!

Thing Two: Now that we've all gotten used to using QR codes, the FBI recently warned that we ought be wary of scammers using QR codes to trip us up. Read all about it here (the PSA includes tips for protecting yourself from nefarious QR code scammers).

Thing Three: Over the weekend, I got a weird text (from my own phone number, turns out) that told me "Your bill has been paid for March. Here's a little gift for you" -- with a link. (That I did not click, thankyouverymuch.) I trashed the message and reported it as spam. Then, Erin sent me a link to this article (because it happened to her, too). So. Bottom line . . . do not be fooled by this message. You shouldn't be too alarmed, but you shouldn't click the link either. 

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And now . . . the special, bonus round version of . . . 

Mac . . . Or . . . PC

Call . . . Or . . . Text

Alexa . . . Or . . . Siri

iOs . . . Or . . . Android

Desktop . . . Or . . . Laptop

YouTube . . . Or . . . TikTok

Headphones . . . Or . . . Earbuds

eReader . . . Or . . . Books With Pages

Inbox Zero . . . Or. . . Inbox Out of Control

Password Manager . . . Or . . . Really Should Do That

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To answer, just copy the following, paste it into the comment field, and indicate your answers. (I've tried it myself and it works.) 

Mac or PC
Call or Text
Alexa or Siri
iOs or Android
Desktop or Laptop
YouTube or TikTok
Headphones or Earbuds
eReader or Books with pages
Inbox Zero or Inbox out of control
Password Manager or Really should do that

As for me? Check the comments to find out!

This . . . or That? 
I can't wait to see what you choose.

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Other Posts In This Series:

Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 4 -- Digital Detoxing

Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 3 -- Using a Password Manager

Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 2 -- How to do a digital de-clutter and clean up your digital footprint

Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 1 -- How to clean your computer, digital devices, and screens

 

Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 4

This week, we're talking about social media, knowing when you're in too deep, and digital de-toxing. 
Join me for . . . 

Back in the fall of 2017, I decided I'd had enough of Facebook. It was at the height of the Cambridge Analytica security breach AND . . . I was just sick of what Facebook had become, and what I'd become as a Facebook user. So I deactivated my account and removed the app from my phone. That first day without Facebook? I was itching for a scroll! It was so hard to be without those constant, little dopamine hits! But by day 3? I didn't miss it at all. For a week or two early in the pandemic (pre-Zoom, when any group gatherings were only happening on Facebook) I signed in again. But it was brief. I was in and out of there so fast, I'm sure Mark Zuckerberg's head was spinning. (HA!) After 5 years of not "Facebooking," I've discovered . . . I can easily live without it, and I've deleted my account entirely. (There are two options for "quitting" Facebook: deactivation, which is temporary, and deletion, which is permanent.)

Ever since my experience with Facebook, I've become an advocate for "digital detoxing."

What, exactly, is a digital detox? Well, according to the dictionary, it's "a period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones or computers, regarded as an opportunity to reduce stress or focus on social interaction in the physical world."

And why is worth doing a digital detox? According to the Cleveland Clinic, doing a digital detox is a great way to find out if technology is holding you back from living your best life. The results of unplugging can be far reaching, from being more productive at work to deepening your relationships with family and friends. Benefits of taking a technology timeout include: sharper focus, less stress, better social interactions, and more control of your time. A study recently published in The Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology suggests that we should limit our social media use to no more than 30 minutes a day -- which reduces stress and depression, and results in a significant improvement in well-being.

I did a major, 30-day digital detox several years ago, after reading Cal Newport's book Digital Minimalism. I made some big changes to my digital life - and most of them have stuck. I got rid of all news apps on my phone, for example (they're still gone). I turned off all notifications on my phone (and it's still set that way). I started tracking my device-usage (humbling, I tell ya.) I set up rules for myself for when and how I can use Instagram, which is the only social media platform I use now (only after 3:00 pm; only one post per week), and I made sure to place the IG icon on the 4th screen on my phone, and I buried it in a folder to make it even harder to mindlessly click in (it's harder, but still accessible; just sayin). I fall off the wagon now and again (especially when there are highly stressful situations going on in the world), but I've made great progress in coming up with a reasonable digital life for myself.

(This is the far "western outpost" on my phone . . . the 4th screen . . . where you can see IG buried deep within a folder. I have to go looking for it whenever I want to access it.)

How do you know if you NEED a digital detox? There are many (many) articles out there about "signals" that indicate we are ripe for a break from social media (and our phones). Here are some of the recurring "themes":

1. You spend more time than you intended to on a site/your phone. 
2. You feel guilt/dissatisfaction afterward.
3. You can't stop comparing/you're motivated by FOMO (fear of missing out). 
4. You pick up your phone and start scrolling without realizing it.
5. You experience urges to "check"/you freak out if you can't check your timeline.
6. You spend a LOT of time scrolling, yet you never seem to have enough time in your day.
7. You can't enjoy whatever you're doing without posting about it first.
8. It’s the first thing you check in the morning and the last thing you check at night.

I knew it was time to do a digital detox myself . . . because I was disgusted with how much time I was spending scrolling without purpose. I knew I needed to break that habit. I was ready for more focus -- and less wasted time.

If you ARE ready to do a digital detox, I recommend Cal Newport's book, Digital Minimalism. If you don't want to read a whole book on the topic, a simple Google search on "how digital detox" will bring you a huge number of strategies to try.

And if you're ready to ditch any of your social media accounts, this article from Popular Science explains just how to shut down your accounts on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat.

You may not want to do a full-blown digital detox, but you can still be more mindful about how you use social media -- and your phone. Four quick and easy things to do to get started:

1. Track your usage. Get yourself a baseline reading, and then see how you do over time. 
2. Schedule a specific time for looking at social media. (This worked really well for me. I don't allow myself to look at Instagram until after 3:00 pm. It's amazing how well that silly rule works for me!)
3. Put a rubber band around your phone. That rubber band will remind you - every time you pick up your phone - to think about what you want to do with it.
4. Swap out your lock screen. Choose something motivational that will remind you to use your device carefully.

When I wanted to break my habit of playing Animal Crossings every day (a year and a half ago now), I put this simple note on my Nintendo Switch . . . 

It worked. I haven't played since putting that note on my device! (Because, yes. I do have something better to do with my time. Thanksforthereminder.) There is nothing wrong with playing games on any of your devices (I am not anti-game, and Animal Crossings got me through some dark days early in the pandemic). I was just spending too much time with that particular game -- and NOT doing things that I actually wanted to be doing. Thus, that visual reminder.

In a similar vein, I thought about doing away with my Instagram account once I successfully weaned myself from Facebook. But, instead, I set up boundaries for myself on Instagram. I mentioned earlier that I set up "rules" about when I could use it and what/when I could post. I also carefully curated the accounts I follow on Instagram (friends, artists, sew-ers/stitchers, dancers, a few poets, knitters) so I am inspired when I do pick it up and use it (but not until after 3 pm!). I have culled the people who tend to raise my stress-levels, and created a little "inspirational bubble" for myself. It works for me!

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I hope this information was helpful for you -- and that you're thinking about how to clean up your digital habits.

If you have any questions about doing a digital detox, or if you have any tips/tricks/advice about your own digital detox, be sure to shout out in the comments!

See you next Thursday . . . when we wrap up our digital spring cleaning.

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Other Posts In This Series:

Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 3 -- Using a Password Manager

Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 2 -- How to do a digital de-clutter and clean up your digital footprint

Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 1 -- How to clean your computer, digital devices, and screens

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 3

This week, we're talking about digital security and password managers. Join me for . . . 

Oh, passwords. They feel so secure, don't they? Protecting you from all the evil hackers and phishing schemes and whatever other digital demons lurk out there.

But . . . they're really not. Especially when we re-use them for multiple accounts. 

Now I'm sure that none of you use "password" as a password. And I'm betting you don't use your pet's name, either. Or you kids' names. Or your birthday. Or any other easy-to-guess passwords. But I'm betting a lot of you DO reuse the same passwords across multiple sites. (According to a recent Virginia Tech study, over 50% of people do just that.) If even one of your accounts guarded by a reused password is compromised in a data breach, it doesn't matter how strong your password is -- hackers can easily to get into your other accounts.

And, really. Who wants to give hackers an easy route to any of your online accounts?

There are three things that computer experts recommend to keep your identity safe online:

1. Keep your operating system and web browser up-to-date.
2. Use two-factor authentication whenever available.
3. Use a password manager.

The first two are pretty easy. That third one? It's easy, too.
Once you get it set up.

And it's the setting up that's . . . well . . . a pain. It's something that falls into that I-really-should-but don't-want-to category of tasks.

I know . . . because that was me. I completely understood WHY I should use a password manager. I already used my built-in browser password generator (Safari Keychain), after all. But I also knew that some of those passwords saved in my Keychain were duplicates; old "favorite" passswords that just flew off my fingers. I knew what I needed to do. I knew I should do it. And yet . . . I hesitated. Because I just didn't want to invest the time.

And then Tom got notice of a data breach for one of his accounts. That spurred me on. I dug in and did the work. Now I am a very happy password manager zealot. And setting things up . . .  wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. (It also gave me a great chance to go through old accounts I don't need anymore and get rid of them.)

So. What IS a password manager anyway? And what do they do?

A password manager is a secure, automated, all-digital replacement for the little notepad that you might have all of your passwords scribbled down in now, but it’s also more than that. Password managers generate strong new passwords when you create accounts or change a password, and they store all of your passwords—and, in many cases, your credit card numbers, addresses, bank accounts, and other information—in one place, protecting them with a single strong master password. If you remember your master password, your password manager will remember everything else, filling in your username and password for you whenever you log in to a site or app on your phone or computer.

What if I use my browser's password generator/saver -- Chrome Smart-Lock or Apple's Safari Keychain? I don't need a password manager then, do I?

That's a good start - and better than jotting your passwords down in a little notebook you keep handy near your computer, but a good password manager goes a lot further than the one built in to your browser. Not only do password managers use super-encrypted technology for storing your information, they can also proactively alert you when you’re reusing a password or when your passwords are weak and easy to guess or hack, and some password managers will even let you know when online accounts are hacked and your passwords have been exposed. There are also family-features in many password managers that enable you to grant access across across devices and accounts you share with family members. (And I'll just say that my geek daughter who works for Google . . . uses a password manager rather than the any of the built-in browser password generators. And that's saying a lot.)

Are password managers hard to use?

Setting up and then learning to use a password manager seems intimidating, but once you start using one to make strong random passwords that you’re not on the hook to remember, you’ll wonder how you lived without one. Usually, improving your digital security means making your devices more annoying to use; a password manager is a rare opportunity to make yourself more secure and less annoyed.

I carried "Set Up Password Manager" on my to-do list for most of the year last year. When Tom got notice of that security breach, though, it pushed me to finally take action! I spent several hours one Sunday afternoon last fall installing my chosen password manager (I use 1Password; more on that in a minute), watching a few helpful how-to YouTube videos, and then getting things set up. It did seem intimidating at first - in that what.a.pain kind if way, but it was actually pretty easy once I bought in and got started. And now that it's set up and functional (across all my devices), it is so simple to use -- and I feel so much more secure with all my crazy-complex passwords. I feel so . . . good . . . about my online security!

So. Which password manager should I use?

When I was at the beginning of my password manager journey, I read this Wirecutter article analyzing various password managers (both free and subscription-based). I decided to go with their #1 pick and chose 1Password. I've been very pleased with my choice. I will not lie . . . it was a pain to get all my passwords/accounts switched over from Safari Keychain to 1Password. But once I invested a few hours that Sunday afternoon, I'm GOLDEN, let me tell you! It's easy to use. It works seamlessly across all my devices. And . . . it just does its thing, securely.

And, going through that switch-over allowed me to review all my online accounts and delete the ones I no longer need or use. (I mentioned this in last week's digital spring cleaning post.) So, in a way, I took care of two digital spring cleaning chores with one effort.

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I hope this information was helpful for you -- and that you're ready to consider installing/setting up/using a password manager for your digital life.

If you have any questions about password managers, or if you have any tips/tricks/advice about your own password manager experience, be sure to shout out in the comments!

See you next Thursday . . . when we talk about social media and taking a digital detox.

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Other Posts In This Series:

Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 2 -- How to do a digital de-clutter and clean up your digital footprint

Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 1 -- How to clean your computer, digital devices, and screens

 

Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 2

This week, we’re talking about clearing the clutter . . . from our computers and devices. Join me for . . . 

Most of us don’t work well in cluttered spaces. Eliminating physical clutter - or at least getting a good handle on what’s where - makes doing our work (however defined) much easier. We just tend to be more productive when we’re organized and confident that we’ve got what we need.

Last year, my spring cleaning blog series included a post about organizing your paperwork – but I was talking about physical paperwork. This year, I want to talk about an aspect of clutter that we often overlook: our digital clutter. These days, most aspects of our lives are digital. We store our information (our “paperwork”) on our computers and smartphones, and in online accounts. It’s easy to let our digital spaces become overwhelmed and disorganized, and it’s just as important to regularly clear the clutter and organize our “digital space” if we want to be productive.

There’s another very important benefit of doing a good, old digital de-clutter:  cleaning up your digital footprint will help ensure your personal information is organized and safe. Many people are unaware of the importance of a digital cleanup, while others avoid tidying their cyberspace because they don’t fully comprehend all the harmful effects a disorganized digital presence can have. Cluttered devices and outdated profiles are all signs of a security breach waiting to happen.

In my non-digital life, I appear . . . not that organized. I’m a “pile-my-papers” kind of person, and I’m very visual. I need to have things in sight! But those piles? They’re (usually) neat piles. And I know just what’s in them, and how to find what I need.

My non-digital desktop, in real time. (I know just what's in there.)

 In my digital life, though? I’m really organized! I make use of a well-considered folder/filing system. I empty my trash regularly. I use a password manager. And two-factor authentication. I have an elaborate set of folders for my emails – and I use “rules” to sort them as they come in. Even my photos are organized into albums. I’m a big advocate for keeping digital spaces updated and organized.

(My digital-self and my non-digital-self hardly recognize each other.)

My digital desktop at the same time. (I know just what's in here, too.)

 So.
How to begin with a digital “spring cleaning?

1. Empty Your Trash. Just do it. You don’t need whatever you’ve put in there anyway, and it’s just taking up space on your hard drive.
2. Sort Your Inbox. Set up a folder system, and file your important emails accordingly. Send your old emails to the trash. (I know this is scary, but it’s also incredibly freeing.) Set up “mailbox rules” to direct incoming emails to their proper files from the get-go. Unsubscribe from any newsletter or promotions you really don’t want/need to read. (I know. It’s a pain. I try to keep up with this daily, as they come in. Because they just keep coming in.)
3. Clear Out Your Downloads File. (It’s amazing how much stuff piles up in there.) If you needed it, you likely saved it where you can find it. If you didn't save it, you can download it again if you really need it. 
4. Go Through Your Files. Get rid of duplicate and outdated files. Set up a document folder system just like you’d set up a filing cabinet. Use clear names for your folders, and make sure your file names make sense (so you can find them later). Consider using a standard file-naming “formula” that you can apply to any file.
5. Clean Up Your Desktop. Get rid of anything you don’t absolutely “need” to have on your desktop. Just like with your “real” desk, it’s easier to find what you need . . .  when your desk is clear. (If your computer files are organized, you don't need a crowded and cluttered desktop. You'll have to trust me on that.)
6. Go Through Your Programs and Apps. Uninstall anything that’s outdated, or that you don’t use or need anymore.
7. Clean Up Your Web Browser(s). Sort through your bookmarks/favorites. Keep what is relevant, get rid of the rest.  While you’re at it, clear the cache, cookies, and old temp files as well to gain back some drive space and to protect your privacy.
8. Minimize Your Online Accounts. Delete any online accounts that you don’t actively use to minimize the odds of having your personal details be part of a data hack. Remove saved personal information in accounts that you don't use on a regular basis, including credit or debit card details and addresses. (I did this when setting up my password manager, which we'll talk about next week.)
9. Don’t Forget Your Mobile Devices! Delete all those unused apps that are taking up space on your mobile devices. It’s also important to make sure that the apps you do use are up to date, as outdated apps are at risk for malware and viruses.
10. Set up and make use of external back-ups. I use Time Machine (on my Mac) with an external hard drive AND I use a cloud-based back-up system (I use iCloud). (I'm confident that I won't lose my stuff. It might be a pain to recover, but . . . better than losing all my photos and other "paperwork.")
11. Run Regular Maintenance and Troubleshooting Checks. Update your security software regularly. (If you have a Mac, make sure you’re current with iOS updates.)

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I hope this information was helpful for you -- and that you're ready to give your computer a little spring cleaning/digital decluttering love!

If you have any questions about digital decluttering, or if you have any tips/tricks/advice, be sure to shout out in the comments!

See you next Thursday . . . when we talk more about digital security, password managers, and protecting your identity online.

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Other Posts In This Series:

Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 1 -- How to clean your computer, digital devices, and screens

Spring Cleaning, Digital Style - Week 1

Some of you might remember that last March, I did Spring Cleaning Week here . . . where I took a deep-dive into all things spring cleaning, complete with helpful information and practical tips. (If you didn't have a chance to read the series then, or if you want to review it this year as you begin your spring cleaning, click here for all the posts in the series.) 

I'm in the spring cleaning mood again, but I thought I'd try something a little different this year here on the blog. I just got a new laptop a few weeks ago, and it got me thinking about "cleaning house" digital-wise. So, join me here each Thursday this month while I share tips about . . . 

We're going to start with an easy topic: cleaning your actual digital devices. For the rest of the month, we'll dive deeper into the tougher, "messier" topics like . . . cleaning up your digital clutter and organizing your files/cloud storage, protecting yourself with a password manager, and doing a "digital detox" (including safely shutting down social media accounts). If you have any digital spring cleaning questions - or advice or tips from your own digital clean-up experiences, please ask/share them in the comments. At the end of the month, I'll do a summary to answer your questions (if I can) or share your tips.

Let's get started, shall we?

You know how shiny and perfect your new digital devices look when you first get them out of the box? Sleek. Sexy. Super cool. And then . . . you touch them. Soon . . . crumbs on your keyboard, gunk on your Air Pods, and fingerprints everywhere! And, of course, there's also the more recent concerns about "Covid cooties" if you take a device  (your phone) out of your home, or if you share your device with other people. And then . . . there is a general confusion about just HOW to clean screens or delicate keys and microphones without damaging them.

Follow me! I've assembled tips, how-tos, and links to information about safely cleaning your devices and getting them looking (nearly) out-of-the-box sleek, sexy, and super cool again. (Or at least . . . fingerprint-free until you touch them again.)

Cleaning Your Smart Phone or iPad

According to Wired magazine (this article), when it comes to cleaning a smartphone, gentleness is key. These are expensive and delicate bits of electronics, so you don't want to dive in with abrasive cleaning solutions and materials. Clorox wipes and the like aren’t just excessive; they can eat away at the oleophobic coating that keeps fingerprints from smudging your display. All you need . . . is a microfiber cloth and maybe a spritzer bottle of water with a tiny drop of dish detergent (maybe). Here are the basic steps for cleaning your Smart Phone:

• Power down your device, remove the case, and unplug any devices that may be attached.
• Using the microfiber cloth (don't start with any fluids; you may not even need them), just apply a little pressure, and gently rub the surfaces clean. If there is some sort of stubborn . . . something . . . you need to clean, spray the microfiber cloth lightly with distilled water and rub gently. Dry the surfaces carefully with a dry microfiber cloth. Be sure to avoid getting excess moisture around ports and buttons. 
• (Don't use compressed air on your phones!)
• (Don't use any "wood based" cloths - paper towels, kleenex, etc. - because they will leave lint and residue.)
• If you find your phone's ports have been cluttered with debris, try using cotton swabs or toothpicks to tease it out, again taking care not to cause any damage.

Cleaning Your Computer and Mouse or Laptop

Wired magazine (same link as above) recommends that you "start with a shake" to knock loose any debris, and then you can move on to disinfectant wipes. (I found no mention of either of these steps on the Apple website, by the way.) Regardless, you want to avoid using harsh cleaning chemicals or any type of bleach -- and keep all moisture away from the openings. (Keyboards and mice aren't usually waterproofed in the same way that phones are, so keep moisture to a minimum and make sure you properly dry everything off.) The Wired magazine article indicates that compressed air is okay on keyboards. (I use it all the time on my sewing machine, but haven't ever tried it on my keyboard.) Grab your microfiber cloths and maybe that spritzer of distilled water, and let's get to it:

• Unplug all external power sources, devices, and cables.
• Use a can of compressed air to carefully "blast" away the dust and crumbs from your keyboard.
• Using the microfiber cloth (don't start with any fluids; you may not even need them), just apply a little pressure, and gently rub the surfaces clean. If there is some sort of stubborn . . . something . . . you need to clean, spray the microfiber cloth lightly with distilled water and rub gently. Dry the surfaces carefully with a dry microfiber cloth. Be sure to avoid getting excess moisture anywhere.
• TO CLEAN YOUR LAPTOP SCREEN (No sprays or any harsher chemicals, no matter how rough the mess!)
  • Apple says: First shut down the computer and unplug the power adapter. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with water only, then use it to clean the computer's screen. To clean hard-to-remove smudges, you can moisten the cloth with a 70-percent isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution.
  • Dell says: A 50:50 isopropyl alcohol and water mixture can be used on the screens attached to its computers, applied from a damp cloth, but go carefully.

Cleaning Your Flat-Screen TV

I found this short little demo about the proper way to clean your flat-screen TV. No surprise by now . . . but all you need is a couple of microfiber cloths, a spray bottle of distilled water, and maybe a drop of dishwasher detergent. (This video demos how much detergent to add, and how to spritz the-cloth-not-the-screen -- which is the same technique used in cleaning your phone or computer equipment.)

Cleaning Your Printer

Check your printer manual for any special instructions for cleaning your printer. Some printers have "self-cleaning" cycles, and some printers have "print alignment" cycles that you can opt to run when you switch out your print cartridges. It's a good idea to do these regularly to keep your "print jets" operating well. To clean the rest of your printer, grab that microfiber cloth, your spray bottle of distilled water, some rubbing alcohol and get ready for a dust-free printing experience. (These instructions are for my HP printer. Check your printer for specific information, but I'm gonna bet it'll be similar to mine.)

• Turn off the device and disconnect AC power (for printers, devices should be unplugged from the outlet). Remove batteries from items like wireless keyboards, and disconnect any external devices.
• Moisten a microfiber cloth with a mixture of 70% isopropyl alcohol / 30% water. Do not use fibrous materials, such as paper towels or toilet paper. The cloth should be moist, but not dripping wet. Do not spray any liquids directly onto the product.
• Gently wipe the moistened cloth on the surfaces. Do not allow any moisture to drip into areas like keyboards, display panels or USB ports located on the printer control panels, as moisture entering the inside of an electronic product can cause extensive damage to the product.
• Ensure surfaces have completely air-dried before turning the device on after cleaning. No moisture should be visible on the surfaces of the product before it is powered on.
• Copier/scanner glass can be cleaned using a glass cleaner sprayed onto a clean rag to remove streaking.

Cleaning Your TV Remote Control

Although you can refer to your specific remote control user manual, these steps should work for most remotes:

• Remove the batteries
• Use the toothbrush to brush away all debris from in and around the buttons. 
• Grab your microfiber cloth and spray bottle filled with equal parts distilled water and rubbing alcohol. Spritz the cloth. Give the remote several vigorous swipes with the cloth. You can spray the water/alcohol mixture on cotton swabs to clean the "tight spaces" between buttons.
• Once everything is dry, replace the batteries and test the remote.

Cleaning Your Headphones or AirPods

Your headphones or AirPods make a lot of contact with . . . your head/your ears. They may look fine, but they get . . . a little gross (trust me on this). Here's a link to how-to-clean-any headphones (on-ear or in-the-ear), and if you have AirPods, check this information from Apple (because you need to remember to clean your case).

Cleaning Your Speakers

Do you have some speakers in your house? We have Sonos speakers, and here's a link to their cleaning advice. I'm pretty sure it would be similar for any other types of speakers . . . Alexa, AudioPro, ChromeCast, etc.

Cleaning Your Exercise Equipment

Have a Peloton? Or any other kind of exercise bike or treadmill? They get . . . pretty gunky . . . when you use them regularly. Here are the cleaning recommendations from Peloton. I'm pretty sure they'll work for any brand of workout machines.

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I hope this information was helpful -- and that you're ready to grab those microfiber cloths and a little spray bottle so you can tackle every "device" in your house! 

If you have any questions about cleaning your digital devices, or any tips/tricks/advice, be sure to shout out in the comments!

See you next Thursday . . . when I share some tips for spring cleaning the INSIDE of your computer!