Computer Cleaning Tips
Dusty laptops/computers tend to overheat and as a result they may restart automatically or not function properly. When a lot of dust and dirt builds up inside the computer, the computer will stop functioning properly and may need to be taken in for a ‘repair’ job where technicians must take the computer apart and perform a deep clean to get the computer to run properly again. As preventive maintenance, here are some tips on how to clean your computer, keep it functioning and running safely, and avoid taking it in to the repair shop.
Computer Cleaning Materials
- 1 Can of Compressed Air
- A Few Cotton Balls
- 1 Soft Cloth
- Cleaning Fluid
Before Cleaning
Make sure your computer is turned off and unplugged before you start cleaning your computer. This ensures that no part of the computer is harmed as you clean it.
Steps to Clean Individual Components
- Blow away the excess surface dust with a can of compressed air.
- To clean the keyboard, use cotton balls to remove large particles of dust between the keys, then blow away smaller dust particles with the can of compressed air.
- Wipe the surface of the keys with a damp cloth but ensure that the cloth is not excessively damp as fluid can damage the computer’s keyboard.
- Put a small amount of cleaning fluid on cloth and gently clean the screen. Make sure you don’t apply pressure while cleaning the computer screen.
- To clean the ports on your computer, carefully wipe the inside of each port with cotton balls and then spray each of them with compressed air.
- To clean the computer’s fan, hold it and spray it with compressed air. If you don’t hold it, the air will cause it to spin and could break it by making it spin faster.
- To clean the DVD or CD Drive on your computer, open it and spray the compressed air inside.