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We take our laptops all over the place, and as such, they need to be cleaned occasionally. Before setting out to clean your laptop it is a good idea to give your owners manual at least a cursory read to see what they recommend. Always make sure your laptop is unplugged and powered down before cleaning.
It is important to give your laptop a thorough cleaning at least annually, more often if you travel a lot. As a good habit, you should always wipe down your laptop any time it becomes dirty. The yearly cleaning will be much easier if you maintain your computer.
You will need a few basic supplies to do a thorough cleaning. You should have some soft cotton cleaning cloths (never use paper towels or tissues), a monitor cleaning solution, a gentle cleaning agent ” a mild dish detergent is ok, cotton swabs, and compressed air. Never use a cleanser that has ammonia in it on your computer. And make sure to have your computer unplugged and powered down before you begin cleaning.
The first thing to clean is the exterior body of the laptop. To do this you should use a lightly dampened rag. Wipe the outer casing clean, being careful not to brush anything into the vents or the I/O ports. Wipe the inner casing clean as well, making sure to gently clean the touchpad.
Next you will need to clean your monitor. You should use a monitor-cleaning solution. You can buy the solution as a liquid which you spray onto a rag, or you can buy pre-moistened towelettes. The towelettes are handy to keep in your laptop bag to clean up messes as they occur. It is important not to use paper towels or tissues on your monitor. Dampen your cloth directly and then wipe the display area using light strokes. If you need to, you can go over the screen again.
Keyboards are one of the most difficult areas to clean on your laptop. Consult your manual to see if you can easily remove the keys themselves. Whether you can or not, you will need to gently blow your compressed air around the keyboard area. Cotton swabs and a mild cleaning solution should be used to wipe down the keys. Since most people tend to eat and use their computers at the same time, the keyboard is often sticky or filled with crumbs. Take care to clean this area as best you can.
To clean the cooling vents, you will need cotton swabs and compressed air. Use the cotton swabs to hold the fan in place. (Note: the computer should be turned off and unplugged when you are cleaning it, especially during this stage of cleaning). When spraying the fan blades, keep the compressed air can at least six inches from the blades.
To clean your I/O ports, first gently wipe away the dirt that has accumulated on them with a clean cotton swab. Follow up with compressed air. Do not blow the air directly into the fan, and keep the can at least six inches from the vent. It is important that you do not blow the air directly into the ports as you may push dirt and dust into the ports rendering them ineffective.
Finally, if you need to clean your power cord, you can use a damp cloth and mild cleaning solution, or a bit of plain water if the cord is not that dirty. Again, do not use a cleaning solution that contains ammonia. Do not immerse either end of the cord in water. If the cord is damaged, you should replace it. Make sure the cord is dry before plugging it in to your computer or electrical source.
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