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Antimicrobial Keyboard Covers for Healthcare and Clinical Environments

Computer keyboards are frequently touched, difficult to clean thoroughly and can act as reservoirs for bacteria and other microorganisms. In clinical, dental and laboratory environments, this creates a potential cross-contamination risk, particularly where keyboards are shared between users or located close to treatment areas.

SteriType antimicrobial keyboard covers provide a practical way to protect standard computer keyboards while making routine cleaning and disinfection significantly easier.

Easier Cleaning and Decontamination

A conventional keyboard contains numerous gaps and recesses around the keys where dirt, liquids and microorganisms can accumulate. Cleaning these areas thoroughly can be difficult without allowing moisture or cleaning chemicals to enter the keyboard.

A SteriType cover forms a continuous protective barrier over the keyboard while remaining in place during normal use. The exposed surface can therefore be cleaned and disinfected in situ, without repeatedly removing the cover or exposing the keyboard beneath.

The polyurethane material is resistant to many commonly used cleaning agents, including:

  • detergents;
  • alcohol-based cleaning solutions;
  • chlorine-based disinfectants.

This makes SteriType covers particularly suitable for environments where frequent cleaning is required.

Precision-Fit Keyboard Covers

Unlike loose universal keyboard protectors, SteriType covers are precision moulded for individual keyboard models.

Each cover is produced using vacuum-forming technology and tooling created from the original keyboard geometry. The resulting thin, flexible polyurethane membrane closely follows the contours of the individual keys.

This key-hugging fit allows the keyboard to be used normally while helping prevent liquids, dust and contaminants from reaching the spaces between and beneath the keys.

Built-In Antimicrobial Protection

SteriType covers are manufactured from durable polyurethane incorporating antimicrobial technology directly into the material.

This antimicrobial protection is designed to complement regular cleaning and disinfection by inhibiting microbial growth on the cover surface between cleaning cycles.

It should be regarded as an additional hygiene measure rather than a replacement for an appropriate cleaning regime.

Durable Protection for Frequently Used Keyboards

The polyurethane used to manufacture SteriType covers combines flexibility with excellent durability.

With appropriate use and cleaning, a cover can provide long-term protection while helping to extend the service life of the keyboard beneath by protecting it from:

  • accidental spills;
  • dust and debris;
  • repeated cleaning;
  • everyday contamination.

Covers for More Than 1,500 Keyboard Models

SteriType manufactures precision-fit covers for more than 1,500 keyboard models, including keyboards from major manufacturers such as:

Dell, HP, Lenovo, Logitech, Microsoft and Compaq.

Because each cover is produced for a specific keyboard design, users can retain familiar standard keyboards while gaining a substantially easier-to-clean working surface.

[Find your precision-fit keyboard cover →]

Custom Antimicrobial Covers

The same manufacturing process is not limited to computer keyboards.

SteriType can develop custom antimicrobial protective covers for a wide range of electronic equipment and control interfaces, including:

  • medical and hospital equipment;
  • laptops;
  • payment and card terminals;
  • printers;
  • control panels;
  • other frequently touched electronic devices.

Where a device is difficult to clean because of buttons, switches or recessed controls, a precision-formed protective cover can provide a practical solution.

A Simple Way to Improve Keyboard Hygiene

For healthcare, dental, laboratory and other hygiene-sensitive environments, SteriType antimicrobial keyboard covers provide a cost-effective way to make existing keyboards easier to clean while protecting the equipment beneath.

Find a cover for your keyboard or contact us about a custom application.

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Dentists are throwing away the clingfilm!

Drink spilled on keyboard cover

Recognising the risk of cross-contamination, Dentists have often used rolls of cling film to cover their keyboards… both awkward and time-consuming. The cling film is now being swapped for permanent covers which not only allow the keyboard to be cleaned and decontaminated in-situ, but also prevent bacterial and fungal growth in between cleaning cycles.


Clinical studies have demonstrated that keyboards represent a significant cross-contamination hazard, however, they are notoriously difficult to clean without the risk of permanent damage. Waterproof keyboards are available, but they tend to be expensive and, in the face of restrictive budgets, difficult to justify.
The innovative clear polymer cover has been developed to provide an effective yet economical solution to this problem. The covers can be supplied for most keyboard types and are very easy to fit.

The covers are manufactured from a highly resilient polyurethane film, which is able to withstand harsh cleaning and disinfecting chemicals, including detergents, alcohol and chlorine solution. Even with regular cleaning, the cover will last for many years. The film incorporates an antimicrobial masterbatch, ensuring the covers will provide continuous antimicrobial protection.

The polyurethane film is manufactured by a vacuum forming process, using a mould made directly from a sample of the keyboard. The covers are such an accurate fit that they are quite often referred to as keyboard gloves or keyboard skins. While they may take a short while to get used to, SteriType has had excellent feedback from single finger and touch typists alike.

Nick Corlett, SteriType Director, said: “The demand for SteriType keyboard covers has grown steadily since we launched them in 2006, but we’ve seen a real surge in interest since the beginning of this year. We now supply most UK NHS Trusts and a huge number of dental surgeries.

“The main purpose of the cover is to protect the keyboard and enable straightforward cleaning and disinfection, but they also have the unique additional benefit of the antimicrobial additive, which is incorporated into the film at the point of extrusion. This provides long-lasting antimicrobial properties which will work continually to reduce the growth of bacteria and mould. Unlike washable keyboards, the covers allow the keyboard to be cleaned without disconnecting it from the PC and taking it to a sink, which is obviously a huge advantage. In fact, we’re frequently asked to supply covers for washable keyboards.

“Based on ionic silver technology, SteriType keyboard covers are effective against a broad range of harmful organisms, including MRSA, E. Coli, Pseudomonas and Salmonella. It’s not intended to negate the need for regular cleaning, but is an interesting and useful complementary measure.”