How to Clean Laptop Screen and Keyboard Safely
Your computer has been by your side during innumerable cups of coffee, meals, and snacks in addition to the normal typing and clicking. Then there are those close calls with children running around and almost spills and pet hair accidents (hey, it happens). Additionally, if you work in an office, you may have coworkers tapping your screen to point out issues, close sneezes and coughs, handshakes before typing emails, and other office-related distractions. In essence, your and other people’s dirt and germs are constantly present on your computer. In short, your laptop has been through a lot and deserves a little cleaning once in a while.
According to Gary Power, co-founder, and director of client services at NYC-based IT consulting company Power Consulting Group, laptops “get thrown in bags, they travel, and they find themselves under your couch.” All of this results in filthy screens, grubby keyboards, and dust-clogged ports. So it’s crucial to have a quick and simple cleaning routine in place.
Still unsure if your computer is truly filthy enough to require a thorough cleaning? According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Science and Clinical Research, your technology may look brand new, but it may still be an abode to germs, mildew, viruses, and even fungi. Since researchers discovered that a single cleaning can eliminate over 95% of germs and bacteria from a laptop’s surfaces, there has never been a better time to set aside some time for a spring cleaning.
It’s also a good idea to give any additional accessories you use (like a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse) a quick scrub, advises Power. Cleaning, he continues, is not only beneficial for your mental health; it can also prolong the life of your tech.
What is the best way to ensure that your laptop is sterile? Here are some tips from experts on how to Clean Laptop Screens and Keyboard Safely.
- Turn off your computer
Before you collect any items, make sure all of your technology is off. Joe Silverman, the creator of New York Computer Help, advises removing the charger as well to eliminate the possibility of surges.
Your laptop is still warm even after you turn it off. Silverman advises waiting three to five minutes before beginning to clean because you don’t want the heat to cause any problems when you’re applying some water. You can start working after your computer has had a short break.
- Wipe down the screen
First in line is the screen. A dampened microfiber cloth or an electronic wipe both work well for cleaning. WHOOSH! is one of the best screen cleaning and laptop cleaning products available, according to Power. Silverman suggests lightly wiping or rubbing the screen once or twice while being careful not to press too hard.
- Avoid too much moisture.
Avoid spraying your computer with water or a cleaning solution directly. Just a little liquid should be applied to your microfiber towel. The worst-case scenario, according to Silverman, is that you use too much liquid, which could enter the laptop and result in motherboard and power problems. Generally speaking, make sure the rag is damp but not saturated or dripping.
- The same goes for harsh chemicals.
According to Power, ammonia and bleach shouldn’t be used near your tech. According to Silverman, the majority of common household cleaning products are too strong for thin metal.
Your laptop may completely shut down as a result of them, or in some cases, they may oxidize the exterior coating and fade the color. The same is true for screens, particularly those on MacBooks, says Silverman. That might remove the screen’s oxidation or dulled its appearance by taking away its shine. Power suggests avoiding Windex for your actual laptop and instead using water or a tech wipe. Windex can be used to clean an independent monitor.
5. Clean off the dust and debris from your keyboard
Your keyboard will be next. Using compressed air should be the initial step, according to Silverman, because “all those crumbs and meals and snacks frequently fall in between the keys.” He adds that one of the best ways to clean out those difficult-to-reach areas is by using the canned air and that food residue under your keys may even encourage the growth of mold. After that, go over your keys and clean up any dust that might have remained with your microfiber rag or tech wipe.
Reminder: Avoid removing keys from your keyboard to clean underneath them. Both Silverman and Power point out that it’s not a good idea to tamper with the keys on newer laptops because they are much more difficult to reattach.
- Clear out each side’s ports one by one.
According to Power, using a can of air to clean the ports on either side of your laptop would also be quite effective. He adds, “These days, the majority of laptops have a USB-C port, which is quite secure. The technology inside older laptops with conventional USB-A ports is more sensitive, so “you had to be careful because that’s alive,” as the saying goes.
What makes a difference, then? The majority of flash drives and conventional USB cords fit in a USB-A port, which is bigger and presumably what you were already picturing. The USB-C port is slimmer and shorter. They are also symmetrical, so you can tell if a cord or flash drive is a USB-C if it functions both ways when plugged in. In addition, it is a USB-A.
- Steer clear of trackpads and speakers.
Avoid cleaning the speakers or the trackpad, which is the mouse that is attached to your laptop. Customers’ trackpads can stop working after being cleaned, according to Silverman. Avoid any vents or fans as well. Take your computer to a specialist if you believe they need to be reset.
- Repeat monthly.
Power advises going over this checklist once a month. A monthly cleaning can help your computer last longer by preventing buildup from occurring. Power’s recommendation? Make sure to schedule regular lathering sessions on your laptop so you never forget.
Conclusion
Whatever cleaning technique you decide to use, the most important thing is to follow a regular cleaning schedule to keep your computer clean and free of bacteria. We hope you found the best way how to Clean your Laptop Screen and Keyboard Safely from our article as we’ve listed the best possible ways.