You know I can make a long story out of a short one better than just about anyone, but I can’t think of a way to stretch this one out. Ok, here goes the shortest review ever done in 20 years of the NosillaCast.
A few months ago, Bart and I were having our usual banter before starting a recording, and he saw me blow at my keyboard. He told me to buy the OXO Sweep & Swipe Laptop Cleaner. This little plastic tool is about the size of the palm of your hand. It has has two purposes, as the name says: sweep and swipe to clean your laptop.
On the side of the device is a little button that slides in a slot, which pushes out a brush on one end. The brush is made of very fine, very soft hairs, which are perfect for sweeping across a laptop screen, iPad screen, or keyboard to sweep away dust, or in my case, cat hairs. Grace loves to walk around on my desk while I’m working so it’s a constant battle. It’s not only satisfying to pop the brush in and out, the hairs are so thin and soft I find myself playing with it just to feel that gentle brush. If you’re prone to snacking at your desk, you’ll love this for your keyboard.
The other end isn’t quite as satisfying to engage. There’s a plastic cap that when removed, reveals an elongated octagon tightly covered with a thin, red microfiber cloth. The idea is to use this end to wipe smudges off of your laptop or tablet’s screen. The plastic cap comes off easily enough but it’s just not as much fun as sliding out the brush end.
To use the microfiber cloth to swipe away smudges, you’ll need to add some sort of moisture. I tend to just breathe humid air on my iPad screen which works ok, but on a larger screen, you’ll need some sort of spray.
The OXO Sweep & Swipe Laptop Cleaner is only $15 direct from OXO or many major retailers, so it’s a perfect stocking stuffer.
Add it to your holiday list to help out people who know they can’t find you a tech gadget you don’t already have. Or buy one for all the nerds in your life. I have two of them, one I use every morning to sweep off dust (and cat hairs) from my iPad, and one at my desk for the keyboard.
If nothing else, releasing the brush and sliding it back in makes for a very satisfying fidget tool.