Wipeable and Washable Keyboards: What's the difference?
What is the difference between a wipeable keyboard and a washable keyboard?
Is it vital that workstations are kept clean and safe. Anti-bacterial keyboards such as wipeable and washable keyboards can be used to reduce the spread of bacteria. Both wipeable and washable keyboards can be regularly and deeply cleaned, keeping you safe at home and when we return to the office.
Washable keyboards and mice are safe to put in the dishwasher or can be washed with soap by hand. The keyboards can be placed in the dishwasher with the cords safely wrapped from all moving parts of the dishwasher and the door. It is recommended to wash the keyboards using dishwasher detergent and a standard wash. Washing the keyboard using high temperatures or heat drying can cause damage to them. After the keyboards are washed the excess water can be wiped away and they can be left to air dry before use.
Wipeable keyboards and mice have a silicone sealed cover meaning they can be cleaned regularly with an antibacterial wipe or spray to kill germs. This makes them safe and sanitary for use in the office, especially if hot desking has been implemented. Wipeable keyboards can withstand medical grade disinfectants but normally have a lower IP rating, meaning that they do not allow for as rigorous washing compared to the washable keyboards.
What you need to consider when choosing between the two?
If you’re looking for a keyboard that can be thoroughly and deeply cleaned, washable keyboards allow for a higher degree of water resistance as they have a higher IP rating. This means they will not be damaged if washed with soap and water. If you are looking for a keyboard that can be sanitised quickly, wipeable keyboards would be suitable as the silicone sealed cover allows for regular sanitisation.
What keyboard works best in which environment?
Both wipeable and washable keyboards and can be used at home and in an office environment. Wipeable keyboards would be better suited to an office environment as they can be quickly and easily sanitised ready for use. If you work from home, we recommend a washable keyboard, as they allow for a deeper clean to clean all food or accidental coffee spills!
What does the IP rating actually mean?
An IP rating is short for an Ingress Protection mark. An IP rating is usually a two-digit grading system that’s applied to the enclosure of a mechanical or electrical item. Unlike vague terms such as ‘waterproof’ - an IP rating is more specific.
- The first digit will be between 0-6, which indicates the degree of protection from ingress of solid objects. Such as the user themselves, and other potentially harmful particulates such as dust or dirt.
- The second digit of the IP rating will be between 0-9, which represents the quality of resistance to moisture ingress at varying intensities, angles, depths and pressures of exposure or immersion.
The ratings widely accepted as ‘waterproof’ for most general purposes are IP65, IP66 and IP67.
Keyboard Specialists offer a range of keyboards which meet the highest IP68 standards.