Cleaning Tips for Computers

Many people associate the onset of spring with spring cleaning. Not only will cleaning your computer, monitor, and accessories make them look nice, it could also help them last longer. Follow these tips to keep your system quiet, clean, and cool.

• DO NOT USE A VACUUM CLEANER! No matter how tempting it may be to vacuum the dust off of a clogged vent, resist. Read on for the proper method.

• Keep the area around your computer clean. Keep whatever surface upon which your computer sits as free from dust as possible. Ideally, don’t keep your machine on the floor at all. Set it up on top of your desk or some other piece of furniture.

• Dust the exterior of your hardware with a soft, lint-free cloth. Don’t use a feather duster or any liquid cleaning sprays. Fibers from the feathers might end up inside your machine, and liquids tend not to play nice with electrical equipment.

• Don’t neglect the interiors. Pick up a can of compressed air. If you have a desktop, consult the user manual for instructions on how to remove the side panel. Once it’s off, take your computer outside and use compressed air to blast any dust out. You should do this every six months or so. Laptops are a bit trickier to clean, so if you’re not comfortable opening up the case, take it to a technician for cleaning. Compressed air is also a great choice for cleaning a keyboard. Just invert the keyboard and spray a few bursts of air into the keys at an angle.

• Choose the right cleaning product for the right screen. CRTs have different needs than flat-panels, and matte screens have different needs than glossy ones. Check the product manual or the manufacturer’s website for information on which type of cleaner your screen requires.