How to Thoroughly Clean Your Computer
Electronics attract dust. Dust enters your computer tower through the fan holes and builds up around the central processing unit. If you have a pet, its hair can also infiltrate your system, causing the fan to malfunction and your processor to overheat. Dusty or dirty electronics do not last as long as devices that are kept in pristine condition through regular cleaning. Every component of the computer, from the keyboard to the mouse, should be cleaned thoroughly to keep the system in working condition.Use these steps to clean your computer.
1. Turn off the computer and unplug the power cord.
- Open the computer tower according to the manufacturer's suggestions. This might involve removing screws or pressing a locked-button mechanism.
- Use tweezers to remove large clumps of dust or debris.
- Hold a bottle of compressed air 4 to 5 inches (10.16 to 12.7 cm) away from the case and blow each component until they are dust-free. Angle the nozzle of the bottle slightly outward so the dust blows out of the case instead of around the inside.
2. Wash the exterior of the case.
- Vacuum the holes on the back of the tower with a hose attachment.
- Soak one end of a cotton swap in rubbing alcohol and lightly scrub the holes on the back of the tower. Use the other end of the swab to dry the area thoroughly.
- Clean the rest of the exterior with a damp lint-free cloth.
3. Sanitize and remove debris from the keyboard.
- Unplug the keyboard, flip it upside down and gently shake it to loosen crumbs and dirt from under the keys.
- Blow the keys with compressed air to release dust.
- Scrub each key with a cotton swap dipped in rubbing alcohol. Use a new swab once the first is dirty.
4. Scrub the mouse.
- Detach the bottom of the mouse to reveal the interior (if you have a roller-ball mouse).
- Use your fingernail to remove dirt and hair that is caked inside. Clean the exterior of the mouse with rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball. Replace the bottom.
5 Clean the monitor.
- Disconnect the monitor from its power source and the tower.
- Spray glass cleaner or electronics cleaner onto a micro-fiber cloth.
- Rub the monitor using an overlapping circle motion
