Computer Care and Cleaning
Computer Cleaning Kits
Some manufacturers even offer complete
computer cleaning kits. Some of these kits include the basic tools and others are more comprehensive, offering specially designed tools to ensure your hard drive's posterity.
Cleaning Your Computer
The first step to cleaning your computer is shutting it off. Then unplug your monitor, mouse, keyboard and any other equipment hooked up to your computer. If you've got a laptop, shut it off and unplug it. Now the fun begins ...
'''Cleaning a Desktop'''
* '''Cleaning Your Keyboard''': First, pick up your keyboard and turn it upside over a trash bag. Knock the bottom of the keyboard a few times to remove debris. Now, use your compressed air and systematically remove dust still lodged between your keys. Tweezers may come in handy if you have hair or other similar materials stuck in your keyboard. Next, use your cleaning solution and/or spray along with paper towels to wipe down the keys. Then use a cotton swab to clean the crevices between keys. You'll be amazed at how much better your keyboard will perform. You might want to buy a
keyboard cover to make sure that the keyboard requires cleaning less frequently. Some guides suggest removing each key and soaking individually. This process is tedious and allows for a high margin of error (broken keys, misplaced keys). This is not recommended.
* '''Cleaning Your Mouse''': Use your cleaning solution and a paper towel to wipe down the top and the bottom of your mouse. If you're using an optical mouse, do not attempt to clean the sensor. If you're ussing a ball mouse, remove the disc that keeps the trackball in place and wipe both the ball and the cover with a paper towel. Use a cotton swab or tweezers to remove any dust or debris on the two rollers inside the mouse. Put your trackball back in the mouse, lock it shut and you're done. That sluggish mouse should perk right up.
* '''Cleaning Your Monitor''': Your monitor is tough to take apart for a reason. There's a significant current running through the device so don't try to clean the inside yourself. Instead, focus on something you can do: cleaning your screen. Dampen a cloth with water and gently wipe from top to bottom. If you have an LCD screen, don't press too hard, you don't want to damage it. It's best not to use a paper towel, as it may scratch the service of the screen. This task may be best suited for wipes or specifically designated
screen cleansing fluids. Use your compressed air or vacuum cleaner to get dust out of the monitor casing.
* '''Cleaning the Outside of Your Computer''': Wipe down the case with a damp cloth or paper towel, then wipe it dry.
* '''Cleaning the Inside of Your Computer''': This is probably the most important, and often negelected, aspect of computer care. Cleaning dust inside of the computer will improve air circulation and prevent overheating. It also ensures that your dust won't effect your processor or power supply. First, remove your case using the proper screwdriver. Do a quick check of your connections and internal components to make sure none are damaged. If they are, it'd be wise to get them replaced as soon as possible to avoid difficulties and potentially dangerous situations in the future. Next, use your compressed air to clean out the processor fan. Do not use the air to clean your internal components. Cautiously use a mini vacuum cleaner instead. If you have an air filter in your computer, run it through warm water. Gently dry the filter with a piece of cloth or a paper towel.
When you're done, put your case back on and plug everything back in. Your desktop computer is now clean.
Cleaning
International Resources
For this resource in your home country, please see:
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NL: Computer schoonmaken Shopgids
