During the current COVID-19 coronavirus crisis it’s important to do everything you can to stop the transmission of this deadly disease. One way for merchants to protect their customers and employees is to encourage contact-free payment via Apple Pay, Google Pay, and the like. Many customers still need to pay by physical credit and debit cards, however, which creates a point of contact that can harbor the virus and other germs.

It’s imperative, then, for retail locations to regularly disinfect and clean their credit card terminals and POS systems to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus. Read on to learn the best ways to do this.

Disinfecting Your Terminal

Some retailers disinfect terminals after every customer; others do it every two or three transactions. In general, the more frequently you disinfect the better – and there’s no harm in disinfecting more often.

The best approach for disinfecting a terminal is to use a disposable disinfectant wipe specially designed for electronic devices. You can also use a disposable cloth sprayed with a disinfectant cleaning spray. Any cleaning sprays or liquids used should be applied directly to the cloth, not to the terminal. You don’t have to use a lot of the cleaning spray or fluid; a little goes a long way.

For added protection, consider using a UV light sanitizer. This device will kill 99.9% of bacteria on frequently touched surfaces.

It’s worth it to seek out disinfectant wipes or sprays designed specifically for electronic devices. They have lower levels of alcohol that can damage the protecting coating on the screens of smart terminals. You should also avoid any cleaners that could harm the rubber or plastic parts of your terminal, such as bleach, paint thinner, trichloroethylene, or ketone-based solvents.

Cleaning Your Terminal

Cleaning is different than disinfecting. You can disinfect a terminal without turning it off, but to thoroughly clean a terminal of all dust and dirt, you need to turn it off first.

The first thing to do, then, is to turn off the terminal or POS devices. Next, get a clean disposable cloth and a cup of warm water. If you want, you can add a drop or two or liquid dish detergent to the water. Do not use any harsh solvents or abrasive cleaners, as they can harm sensitive parts of the terminal.

Wet the cloth and use it to wipe down all visible surfaces on the terminal. You can supplement this with some canned air for removing dirt between the terminal’s keys. You can also use special cleaning cards to clean the terminal’s internal mechanism.

When you’re done cleaning give the device a few minutes to dry then you can turn it back on.

What Not to Do

As noted, avoid harsh or abrasive cleaning materials. Whatever materials you use, never spray or pour any liquid directly on the terminal. You also should avoid shaking the terminal, which could trigger a tamper alert and shut down the terminal.

If in doubt how to proceed, contact the manufacturer of the terminal or Higher Standards for advice. Just remember to keep your terminal clean and free of those germs that can spread the coronavirus. And keep hand sanitizer handy for both your customers and employees!