How to Clean a Laptop & 5 Tips to Keep it Dirt Free

How to clean a Laptop

Tired of a sticky keyboard and dirty screen on your laptop? Don’t worry! Read this guide on how to clean a laptop to make it shiny as new.

Why You Need to Clean a Laptop?

Everything we use in our daily lives needs to be clean, whether it’s our mobile devices or laptops. Working every day on your gadgets can make them less appealing because of dust, grime, and fingerprints and can also encourage bacterial growth. However, you should keep your device clean to help it run smoothly and extend its life span. Moreover, dust and dirt can cause your laptop to overheat which can damage your software’s hard drive.

How to Clean a Laptop Screen

The display gets dirty because of stains, fingerprints, and dirt particles. It is important to clean the screen from time to time to get a clear view. You will need a microfiber cloth and a cleaning spray to clean it. Below we have mentioned the steps to clean a laptop’s screen.

How to clean a Laptop Screen
  • Turn off your laptop and unplug it.
  • Lightly dampen the Microfiber cloth with the cleaning solution; squeeze it nicely, as it should only be moisturized.
  • Do not spray anything directly on your laptop screen; the liquid first goes on the microfiber cloth.
  • Wipe your laptop screen gently in a circular motion with light pressure.
  • You can also invest in a screen cleaning kit to clean your laptop’s LCD screen.
  • If you have sticky or grimy spots on your laptop case, you can use a cotton ball dipped in alcohol. But make sure that it isn’t wet fully. Rub repeatedly until the spot is gone.
  • Whenever you are done cleaning, remember to dry the laptop.

How to Clean a Laptop Keyboard

Next comes the keyboard; it is also important to clean your laptop’s keyboard as it can be sticky or dirty, or dust particles can settle down between the keys. Use compressed air or a vacuum to blow it away. You can also use cotton swabs and toothpicks to clean the ports, vents, and space between the keys. Here are the steps to do so.

How to clean a Keyboard
  • Shake the laptop gently to lose the large dust particles and dislodge the debris from your keyboard.
  • Use a can of compressed air to remove the dirt, debris, and crumbs between the keys.
  • Spray from a distance and set an angle so that the dust is blown away from your laptop and does not settle inside. Also, make sure to use short air bursts.
  • You can also use a vacuum with a small attachment to blow the dirt.
  • Now, use cotton swabs dipped in alcohol to clean the grime that might be built between the keys, or you can also use the brush to wipe it away.
  • Moreover, sometimes dirt settles under the keycaps, so check if your keys can be removed, then take them away if you know to put them back in place. You can also take a picture before removing the keys to remember the order.
  • Ports and vents could be clogged because of dirt and debris. Remove the dirt from the vents and ports with a toothpick, hold it with an angle and use it gently to clean a laptop.
  • Lastly, wipe the entire laptop case gently in a circular motion from left to right and top to bottom with a microfiber cloth.

Clean Other Laptop Parts

The parts of the laptop that should always be clean are the screen, keyboard, case, and ports. However, you can also clean a laptop’s cooling system but do not attempt this if you have never opened a laptop before. It is recommended that you consult the laptop manufacturer’s manual for the cleaning technique, but some steps are common for most laptops.

5 Tips to Keep Your Laptop Dirt Free

  1. Do not use the keyboard after applying cream or lotion.
  2. Avoid eating anything while using the laptop, and keep the beverages far away.
  3. Try to wash your hands often to prevent bacteria from entering the keys.
  4. Do not use tissue paper or any other regular cloth if anything spills because tissue paper and other regular cloths will leave fibers and small particles in your laptop.
  5. Try to avoid using your laptop in an airy place, as the dust can settle inside your device.

FAQs

Q: How often should I clean my laptop?
A:  It depends on how often you use it; if you use your laptop on a daily basis, you must clean it once a week.

Q: Can I clean my laptop when it’s on?
A: No, it is not recommended to clean a laptop when it’s turned on because it can cause damage to your device.

Q: What should I do if my laptop gets wet?
A: If your laptop gets wet, then immediately power it off from any source; carefully remove the excessive liquid with a towel, and leave it in a dry place with good ventilation.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we have discussed the complete guide on how to clean a laptop externally, as cleaning is an important part of our lives to stay hygienic.