Cleaning Your Computer

By Gary Armstrong

Cleaning your computer can really help extend the life of it and even help it keep up to speed.

If components very dirty they can run hot which slows them down. The cooler the parts inside your computer are the better they will run. Here are some tips for cleaning your own computer. The only thing you will need that you might not have laying around is a can of air. If you are uncomfortable doing this to your computer Ignus offers a cleanup at $49.95 where we clean your computer’s operating system and the inside. This will definitely help your computer run faster if it seems slow.

Step 1: Inside the case

Before starting this procedure make sure the computer is turned off and unplugged. After that make sure that you touch something metal to make sure static electricity does not shock anything inside your computer. A little static shock can easily break something.

Using a screwdriver, remove the side of the case that's opposite your motherboard. Touch as little as possible inside the computer, keeping fingers away from cards and cords.

Blow air around all of the components and along the bottom of the case, keeping the nozzle four inches away from the machine. Blow air into the power supply box and into the fan (from the back of the case). Lastly, blow air into the floppy disk and CD drives. Wipe the inside of the cover with a lightly moistened cloth before replacing it. The inside of the computer should be cleaned every few months but if anyone smokes around the computer it should be done more often.

Step 2: Outside the case

Run a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol around all of the openings on the back of your case. Give them one swipe with the damp end of the swab and one swipe with the dry end. Do this as often as you clean the inside of your computer.

Step 3: Keyboard

Turn the keyboard upside down and gently shake it. Most of the crumbs and dust will fall out. Take a can of compressed air and blow into and around the keys. If the keys are physically dirty use a cloth damp with rubbing alcohol and wipe them down gently. Make sure you do this with the computer turned off. If anything is ever spilled on your keyboard try to unplug the keyboard or turn off the computer right away and turn the keyboard upside down immediately. Try to soak up most of the liquid with a towel and blow out the keyboard with a can of error if you have it. This is especially important with a laptop as a little bit of liquid can seep through the keyboard to the internal components render your laptop useless.

Step 4: Mouse

Rub the top and bottom of your mouse with a paper towel dipped in rubbing alcohol. Open the back and remove the ball. Wash the ball with water and let it air dry. To clean inside the mouse, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and rub all of the components. Scrape hard-to-remove grime with your fingernail. Finally, blow air into the opening. Replace the ball and the cover.

Step 5: Monitor

Moisten a paper towel or a soft, lint-free cloth with water. (You can also buy monitor cleaning products at computer supply stores.) Don't spray liquid directly onto the screen—spray the cloth instead. Wipe the screen gently to remove dust and fingerprints. Never touch the back of the monitor.

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