Clean the inside of a touch screen kiosk?  Why?  Well this can be a very important maintenance tip.  You may not realize it but dirt, dust and more can (and will) get into your kiosk.  No kiosk is completely sealed closed and any good kiosk housing that was designed for computer hardware will have ventilation vents or gaps and should have an exhaust fan.  The constant draw of air through the kiosk by the exhaust fan will draw in dust and dirt (much more than you might expect). 

It will be obvious when you open the kiosk where to start.  A good vacuuming of the interior will be in order.  You may need to sweep first to get rid of larger items (we’ve found paper, coins, and even gummy bears inside of kiosks).  Besides the inside floor, vacuum the side walls too.  Dust can cling to the walls so don’t miss any surface. 

Next, take a look at your exhaust fan.  You will probably see dust coated on the blades, motor and grates.  Often grates can be removed and rinsed under water and brushed with a soft brush or damp cloth.  A vacuum or canned air should be enough for the blades and motor but any surface you can wipe with a slightly damp cloth will certainly help.  Some fans will have a filter which can be removed and rinsed out also.

The computer hardware components (cpu, display, speakers, etc.) can also be very dusty.  Again, canned air and/or a vacuum should do the trick.  Be especially attentive to any fans built into these components.  They are very important in keeping the hardware cool and dirt and dust can block or seize the fan so make sure they are clean and working.  If you come across a fan that is not working be sure to have it replaced.  Cooling is VERY important for enclosed touch screen kiosks.  And don’t forget speaker grates, any spot that can allow air in can allow in dust.

Lastly, while you have the kiosk open, check all of the connections for your computer hardware.  This is not a cleaning tip so consider it a bonus.  The wires and connectors in a kiosk can get pulled loose so make sure they are all snug and secure.

Out of sight, out of mind, so make an effort to be mindful of the interior cleanliness of our kiosk and extend its life by allowing clean air to flow through.

If you have any kiosk cleaning questions or methods you’d like to share, let us know.

Chris Meyer

President

CD Meyer, Inc./point2explore

point2explore is product line of customizable touch screen kiosk programs including interactive games and informational programs.  point2explore products are currently running in over 100 museums and have been used in corporate events across the country. Visit our web site at http://www.point2explore.com.