What You Need to Know About Cleaning Your Computer

One of the most important tools for running your business is your computer. Therefore, you should do everything you can to maintain its quality for as long as possible. Your device’s performance and longevity can be dramatically affected by even the simplest of cleanings. The process of cleaning a computer with household products is fairly straightforward, so no special equipment or supplies are needed. Small business owners often overlook this step.

A guide to cleaning computer components if you’re not sure how to do it or why it’s so important.

The Importance of Cleaning a Computer

This important task is often overlooked by small business owners because they don’t understand its importance. Your business can be negatively affected by a dirty computer. The following are just a few possible outcomes.

• A computer tower’s fan can become clogged with dust over time due to dust buildup.
• Your computer will slow down if it overheats frequently, resulting in productivity loss.
• The problem can also cause your device to last shorter and cost you more to repair or replace early.
• It is possible for dust and debris to build up around keys and moving parts, causing them to malfunction.
• There is a possibility that you could get sick from germs and bacteria on your computer.

The Best Way to Clean a Computer

We will now discuss the steps involved in cleaning computers after we have clarified their importance.

Shut Down and Turn Off Everything

It is important that you can get into every nook and cranny of your computer when cleaning it. You may need to use cleaning products that do not mix well with powered up devices. Ensure your PC is turned off, unplugged, and any extra hardware devices are removed before you begin.

Prepare your Supplies

What materials are needed to clean a computer? Most of the time, you can simply use household products to clean your computer. Check out these quick tips:

• Microfiber cloths
• Water
• Compressed air
• Isopropyl alcohol or glass cleaner
• Computer screen cleaning wipes
• Q-tips
• Screwdriver

Cleaning a Computer Monitor

Over time, smudges and dust are likely to accumulate on your monitor. Computer monitors are pretty simple to clean. Make sure the surface is clean by wiping it down with a soft cloth, preferably microfiber.

Have you ever wondered how to clean a computer screen with water or isopropyl alcohol? Apply a small amount to your cloth and wipe the screen to remove sticky or stubborn spots. You should never let the cloth drip liquid onto your computer – it should never be completely wet. It’s also possible to use Windex on a computer screen – just spray it on a cloth rather than directly on the screen, so the spray doesn’t get stuck between other components.

Finally, computer screen cleaner wipes can simplify this process. These can also be used to remove smudges and spots between cleanings.

Keyboard Cleaning

It is easier for dust and crumbs to get stuck on keyboards because they have more tiny spaces. The project will take a little longer than expected.

The first step is to use compressed air to remove any visible crumbs or dust from between the keys. Take another microfiber cloth and dampen it with isopropyl alcohol. Remove surface buildup from the keys. Next, use a q-tip to rub the alcohol between the keys so that every surface is disinfected.

Cleaning the Screen and Keyboard of a Laptop

In many ways, cleaning a laptop screen and keyboard is similar to cleaning a desktop computer. After cleaning the screen with computer screen cleaning wipes or a cloth soaked in water or alcohol, use q-tips and compressed air to clean between the keys on the keyboard.

There is one major difference between cleaning a laptop screen and cleaning a desktop screen. LCD screens should not be cleaned with Windex or glass cleaner. It can only be used on glass screens. You can use water or isopropyl alcohol if you don’t have a dedicated screen cleaning spray or wipe.

You can also wipe down the outer casing of your laptop with a soft cloth once you’ve cleaned the screen and keys. If there are any tough spots, use water or rubbing alcohol. It is best to remove the battery before cleaning, or to be careful around it.

Cleaning the Inside of a Laptop

Each laptop model has a different method for cleaning its insides. The idea remains the same: remove any parts that come off and use compressed air to remove dust and grime. The first thing you should do is shut down the device, unplug it, and remove the battery, if one is present. A screwdriver can then be used to unscrew the bottom panel so that you can access the fan and other components. Cleaners should be avoided in this area, and compressed air should be used instead.

Cleaning a Computer Tower

A similar concept applies to cleaning the tower of a desktop computer. You can access the fan and other internal components by removing the side panel or any casing over the tower. To remove dust, use short bursts of compressed air. This process is best done over a drop cloth or in an area where you don’t mind if it gets dusty, since all the material will blow out of the computer.

Computer Mouse Cleaning Instructions

Identifying the type of mouse you use with your computer will help you choose the right cleaning method. An optical mouse senses movement with the help of a light on the bottom. This type of device must be unplugged and its battery removed if there is one. Apply a soft cloth to the surface and run it over it. Apply isopropyl alcohol to a q-tip dipped in isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe the sensor and other components of the mouse. You can use a toothpick to remove any stubborn parts. You will need to remove the cover and the inside of the machine using a screwdriver.

The process is similar for a trackball mouse. The only difference is that you’ll need to gradually rotate the trackball as you go over it with a cotton swab or q-tip soaked in isopropyl alcohol.

How to Keep Your Computer Clean of Dust

Keeping computer screen cleaning spray, wipes, or soft cloths near your workspace will help you wipe up spills and smudges as soon as they happen after your computer is sparkling clean. A clean office can also help; if you don’t have a lot of dust floating around, there will be less to clean out of your computer. You should also avoid eating or drinking over your computer, since small spills and crumbs can add up to big messes over time.

You should clean your computer or laptop at least twice a year for the best results. Maintaining your device for years to come is possible if you do this, avoid messes, and keep some basic cleaning supplies at your desk.