How to clean a Laptop (the right way)
Cleaning your laptop can help extend its life/functionality, and yours too. Computer keyboards are breeding grounds for germs and needs to be cleaned occasionally.
The Center for Disease Control in the US, recommends routinely cleaning your computer keyboard and mouse, along with other frequently touched surfaces [source: CDC]. While cleaning the keyboard and mouse, take the opportunity to clean your laptop screen as well. Cleaning your screen will make it much easier and pleasant to get your work done.
How to clean your keyboard:
- Turn off the laptop and disconnect the battery.
- Open the laptop.
- Turn the laptop upside down and gently tap it to get rid of any loose crumbs.
- Spray some canned air on the keyboard. This will loosen some of the dirt that’s stuck in between the keys.
- Put the laptop on a flat surface and vacuum the keyboard with a small brush.
- Dampen some cotton swabs with rubbing alcohol, and wipe them over and in between the keys (if possible). Make sure the swabs are just damp, and not wet.
How to clean your LCD screen:
- Spray your screen with canned air to remove any surface dust.
- Make a solution of equal parts white vinegar and distilled water.
- Spray the vinegar solution on a soft rag, and gently wipe the screen [source: Griffith]
You can keep your screen clean by periodically wiping it with a microfiber cloth designed specifically for computers. These cloths are available at computer and office supply stores. Always check your laptop’s manual before using any cleaning products on your LCD screen.
Here are some other things to remember
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Often times, the keyboard creates “stains” on the screen. They’re hard to avoid and even harder to clean off. To help prevent the stains, consider storing the soft, lint-free cloth that you use to clean the monitor inside the laptop, between the keyboard and screen.
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Office-supply stores carry special LCD screen cleaners as well as the lint-free wipes that you can use to clean your screen and the rest of your laptop.
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Avoid using alcohol or ammonia-based cleaners on your laptop screen! They can damage the LCD screen.
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Never squirt any cleaner directly on a laptop’s screen.
There you go that’s a short and simple guide to cleaning your laptop. Hope this helps and spurs you to maintain a clean work station.
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