Cleaning Your Laptop is Vital
One of the things most laptop owners forget to do is to clean their laptop. This is especially important if you take your laptop out and about. If you have not cleaned your laptop before, it is a good idea to consult the manual that came with your computer for any suggestions the manufacturer may have.
It is important to give your laptop a thorough cleaning at least annually, more often if you travel a lot. As a good habit, you should always wipe down your laptop any time it becomes dirty. The yearly cleaning will be much easier if you maintain your computer.
Before you begin your cleaning you will need to gather a few supplies together. You will need a mild cleansing agent that does not contain ammonia. You can even use a drop or two of liquid dish detergent in a bowl full of water. You will also need a monitor cleaning solution, soft cotton cleaning cloths, cotton swabs, and compressed air. You will need to power down and unplug your laptop before you begin cleaning it.
To clean the exterior of your computer you should use a soft cotton cloth. I keep a box of old t shirts for this purpose. I launder them and cut them down to rag size squares and keep them in a box in the closet. Simply dampen the rag (reminder: no ammonia) and gently wipe the casing. If the case is not sticky or too dirty, you can just use water. Then I use a dry cotton rag to wipe down the casing and remove any moisture.
Next you will want to clean your display. Again, make sure the computer is turned off before cleaning. Do not use paper towels or tissues to clean your computer display. A soft cotton cloth and monitor cleaning solution will do the trick here. You can also buy pre-moistened wipes. Simply dampen the cloth and wipe the monitor in smooth even strokes. If you have significant buildup, wait a few moments and then wipe the screen again.
Keyboards are one of the most difficult areas to clean on your laptop. Consult your manual to see if you can easily remove the keys themselves. Whether you can or not, you will need to gently blow your compressed air around the keyboard area. Cotton swabs and a mild cleaning solution should be used to wipe down the keys. Since most people tend to eat and use their computers at the same time, the keyboard is often sticky or filled with crumbs. Take care to clean this area as best you can.
The cooling vents also need to be cleaned. Over time they accumulate dust and other debris. First go over the area with a cotton swab to remove as much debris as possible. Then, using a clean cotton swab, hold the fan in place and use your compressed air to remove the rest of the debris. Do not spray directly into the fan, and keep the compressed air can at least six inches from the vent.
To clean the I/O ports you will need cotton swabs. Gently wipe away any dust or debris that may have accumulated here. You can use compressed air to help dislodge any dust particles, just make sure that you do not blow the air directly into the ports as you may push dirt and dust into the ports.
You should also make it a practice to clean power cord. Use a soft cotton rag and mild cleaning solution. If the cord is relatively clean, you can simply use a damp cloth. While you are wiping down the cord, it is a good practice to check for any signs of damage. Before using your laptop again, make sure the power cord is completely dry. As you are cleaning, nothing should be wet, but things will be damp. Allow adequate time for things to dry off, this will usually be just a few minutes.
Related Reading:
Upgrading & Fixing Laptops For DummiesKeep your laptop on top of its game!Find out how to care for your laptop, what can go wrong, and what you can fix
A laptop is much more than a PC that shrank. It has unique needs, and this book shows you how to meet them. You'll discover how to diagnose and fix common problems, replace parts, add external upgrades, and develop workarounds. You'll even get the lowdown on networks, and find out when to repair and when to replace your laptop.
Discover how to
* Treat your laptop properly
* Identify common problems
* Know when repair may not make economic sense
* Install a new operating system
* Troubleshoot CD and DVD drives
* Add cool peripherals
Vintage Laptop Computers: First Decade: 1980-89The "Man"and his MachinesI hope this book will refresh the memories of the few who were lucky enough to use "laptops" in the early years. Also to spark an interest in a machine which changed the way we live and do business today. I believe this book will be an invaluable aid in furnishing the information required to start a very challenging pursuit of vintage "Laptop" Computers. This could be a fascinating venture which would connect you to our life-changing technological history.
Laptops for the Older and Wiser: Get Up and Running on Your Laptop Computer (The Third Age Trust (U3A)/Older & Wiser)Helpful, easy-to-follow guide for new laptop users over the age of 50 Laptops are fun and more popular than ever, but they are still computers and come with their own set of issues: easier to steal, more likely to be dropped, often dependent on wireless Internet access, and other concerns. If you're entering the computer world as an older adult—and wondering about laptops—this straightforward, helpful book is for you.
Written in full color with lots of screenshots and clear, easy-to-read type, this friendly guide walks you through the process from start to finish: selecting which type of laptop is right for you (PC or Mac?), handling setup, safely adding wireless Internet access, staying secure online, and much more.
- Provides guidance for purchasing your laptop, bringing it home, and setting up
- Walks you through all the various connections, buttons and switches
- Shows you how to connect wirelessly at home and abroad, safely
- Delves into laptop accessories, whether you need them, and how to get the most out of them
- Addresses online security issues and how to stay safe
- Explores troubleshooting problems and how to save your precious data
Prepare properly, enjoy the freedom, and maybe even show the kids a thing or two with this fun and practical guide!
