Every week we vacuum the floor, clean the bathroom, mow the lawn and clean the car, maybe not every week…but we rarely clean our computer. Having spent many years fixing client computers I have seen it all, from a dead rat in the desktop tower, to ants in the display, to a huntsman nest in the mouse.
Many people are afraid to clean their computer because it is a precision piece of technology they don’t want to wreck. This is understandable but with a few handy tips, you can keep your PC, laptop or phone free from grit and grime and watch it last longer with hassle-free computing.
What to Use
Products we generally will use will include a soft cloth, damp cloth, isopropyl alcohol, compressed air or small vacuum cleaner, cotton swabs, small unused paintbrush, toothpicks and latex gloves.
Start with a Damp Cloth.
Before you clean any technology, make sure it is turned off and unplugged from the wall. For safety’s sake, you don’t want to risk a shock or computer damage.
Most cleaning products include ingredients that may degrade your devices, but a simple dust with a dry soft cloth followed by a light clean with a damp cloth is all that is needed to keep your technology clean.
Make sure the cloth isn’t soaked as you don’t want water dripping into the components. For more stubborn grime you may need to use some diluted chemicals
How to Clean the Screen or Display
If any marks remain after using a damp cloth, wear disposable gloves made of latex, moisten the cloth with LCD cleaner or 70% isopropyl alcohol mixed with 30% water, and then gently stroke the cloth across the display in one direction, moving from top to bottom. Never spray or pour any liquid directly on the LCD screen and don’t clean the screen while the system is on.
NOTE: Do not use any of the following chemicals or any solutions that contain them: Acetone, ethyl alcohol, toluene, ethyl acid, ammonia, or methyl chloride. If you have a different chemical or solution and are not sure whether it is suitable, do not use it. Using any of the chemicals in the previous list might cause permanent damage to the LCD screen.
How to Dust Inside your PC
Most laptops aren’t meant to be opened by their users, which makes cleaning inside challenging. Some laptops’ warranties may also be voided after the bottom panel has been opened. For most modern laptops, you won’t need to regularly clean inside. However, if you notice visible dust in the vents of your laptop, it’s worth opening up for a quick clean, as dust build-up can cause your device to overheat.
Power down your laptop before unscrewing the bottom panel. It’s a good idea to remove the battery inside while cleaning. Using a can of compressed air, blow short bursts of air at the internal parts of your computer. Make sure you’re blowing the dust out of the computer and not just moving it around.
If you notice your desktop computer running slowly or making more noise than normal, cleaning the hardware inside may solve the problem. Your computer’s fan pulls air inside to cool the internal components, bringing dust along with the fresh air. Eventually, dust build-up can keep your hardware from cooling itself and lead to overheating. Desktop computers tend to be easier to take apart for cleaning so it’s a good habit to clean inside regularly.
To dust inside your computer, unplug your device and turn it off completely. After you open the case of your desktop’s tower, use a can of compressed air to spray inside until all of the dust is gone. Avoid using a vacuum cleaner, as it creates static electricity that can damage your device. Rubbing the internal components of your PC with a rag or feather duster may also cause damage.
Keep your Keyboard Spotless
Using a can of compressed air and paint brush to clear any crumbs from the surface of your keys. Once there’s no more visible debris, start cleaning with a clean cloth, isopropyl alcohol, and cotton swabs. Dampen your cloth with alcohol and run it over the full keyboard before using cotton swabs to clean between the keys. Be careful not to soak your cleaning supplies in alcohol so it doesn’t seep into your computer and damage internal parts.
Don’t Forget the Mouse
There’s no need to clean the inside of your mouse, but regular use may make the exterior sticky or smudged. Unplug or remove the batteries before using your clean cloth and a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to wipe clean but be careful to not get any liquid inside.
Tablet and Phone
These devices always keep a charge within their battery, make sure it is turned off first and give it a light wipe over with a damp cloth taking care to keep away from any plugs around the edge. If you are finding a grim build-up in these areas, carefully use a dry cotton swap or toothpick to clean these areas.
These tips will make sure your devices continue to work the way they were intended. But if you are a little nervous about any of these steps you can always call us for a bit of a spring clean both inside and out.