How
to clean a computer keyboard
Tools
& Chemicals:
Soft cloth,
Computer cleaning fluid, compressed air, pre-treated computer wipes,
vacuum and computer vacuum attachments. Before cleaning the keyboard,
shut down your computer, and unplug the keyboard.
Technique:
1.
Turn the keyboard upside down and shake so loose dust, dirt, and
food crumbs will fall out. Spray between the keys with compressed
air or vacuum the keyboard. If you are vacuuming the keyboard, leave
it key side up and work in a well lit area. Specialized vacuum attachments
are available that slip onto a regular sized vacuum hose which reduces
it to a very small opening with a variety of dusting and crevice
attachments. This is the most efficient method because the vacuum
becomes not only more powerful, but you will actually remove the
offending debris as opposed to redistributing it with compressed
air.
2.
Wipe down the keyboard with a soft cloth dampened with your specialized
computer cleaning fluid or plain water. Never spray any kind off
chemical directly onto your office equipment, always spray a clean
cloth and wipe the hardware. Use a cotton swab to clean between
the keys. For hard to remove stains such as ink, use a cotton ball
with rubbing alcohol or an alcohol saturated wipe.
3.
If you spill cola or coffee in your keyboard the first thing to
do stop working. Save your data using the mouse instead of key stroke
commands, if possible, and quickly turn the keyboard upside down
and unplug it. Allow as much of the fluid as possible to drip from
the keyboard, and wipe it down as described above.
4.
Although not recommended for the faint of heart, there are more
extreme measures you can take to rescue a liquid saturated keyboard.
Unplug the keyboard and borrow a co workers for the next couple
of days. If the keyboard has an old, or dried spill, you must first
saturate the dried liquid. This means submersing it (yes, completely
underwater) in a pan of water for a few hours, press any sticky
keys to help loosen the dried material. When the dried spill has
dissolved into the pan of water, or if the spill is fresh, rinse
off the keyboard with distilled water. Use distilled water, as tap
water contains minerals that can affect performance even after it
is dry. Allow the keyboard to air dry for at least a day or two.
5.
Sssssingle sssssticky keysssss can be removed on most keyboards.
Just use a small flat head screwdriver to pry the offending key
off and after cleaning they snap right back on. Use the corner of
a soft cloth or a cotton swab and to clean the key socket as best
you can, using a special computer cleaner, rubbing alcohol, or distilled
water. If you remove more than one key, remember where it belongs!
In fact, it was someone cleaning a typewriter decades ago who wasn't
paying attention, that left us with the jumbled Qwerty mess that
we have today.
6.
Remember keyboards are inexpensive and plentiful, with each upgraded
computer there is usually a lonely unused keyboard sitting in a
box in the IT department.
How
to clean your Computers CPU
Tools
& Chemicals:
Soft cloth,
Computer cleaning fluid, compressed air, pre-treated computer wipes,
vacuum cleaner, and special cleaning attachments.
Technique:
1.
It is best to store the CPU off the floor, on a solid surface to
minimize dust and permit proper cooling (carpet will not allow for
airflow beneath unit). Vacuum all cooling slots. Do not use compressed
air on these openings, as it moves large amounts of dust inside
the CPU, which is akin to pouring fine sand into the processor.
Conversely, if you are trying to kill your computer, this, water,
and blunt impacts are the quickest methods. Keeping the vents clean
maximizes airflow for cooling, which is very important for the longevity
of the CPU. Processor failures are most commonly associated with
the expansion and contraction of connections and components. By
keeping the overall operating temperature low, the extremes between
operating and shut down temperatures is reduced, lowering the magnitude
of the cycles, and increasing life span. Wipe down the casing with
a soft cloth dampened with a specialized computer cleaning fluid
or plain water. Never spray any cleaner directly onto your office
equipment. Always spray the cloth and wipe the equipment.
2.
If you feel you need to remove the casing and clean inside, use
compressed air only. A slightly errant brush, cloth, or vacuum can
cause permanent damage, and without even touching the boards, a
zap of static electricity can destroy a processor. Check your warranty
before taking any office equipment apart.
How
to clean your Computer Screen
Tools
& Chemicals:
Soft cloth,
anti-static cloth, water, specialized screen cleaner
Technique:
1.
Conventional wisdom is that you should only clean a screen with
a damp cloth, as many screens have an anti-glare coating that you
risk damaging if you use a harsh household cleaner. Even traditional
window cleaners can damage some coatings and screens, especially
on laptop computers. Always check your manual.
2.
Screen wipes are also available which are also great for the keyboard
and general cleaning. Wipe your screen first, then the keyboard,
mouse, and casing. Stop your computer from getting dirty in the
first place by having them handy to wipe the grease off your fingers
after eating junk food.
3.
If you are using just a damp cloth to wipe the screen, be sure to
dry it off as well to prevent streaking.
4.
When cleaning the monitor casing use a soft cloth with your cleaning
fluid. Always spray onto the cloth, not the equipment!
5.
Antistatic sprays and other specialty cleaning chemicals are very
common, and are formulated so they will not cause damage to even
the most sensitive screens. Their effectiveness is questioned by
some, but others swear by them. The theory is that as the product
cleans it leaves a neutral charge, whereas a positive or negative
charge will attract dust. The effectiveness is likely more a result
of environment, but considering the insignificant cost it is probably
worth it.
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