Let's face it, cleaning the laptop is probably not on your priority list. But it is worth doing. And, contrary to what you may believe, it is not a difficult process to give it a thorough cleaning. Just look at all that dust and dirt and know that it will soon disappear following our cleaning advice.
Throughout this article, we will guide you through the best and safest methods to clean your laptop. We begin with the cleaning of the screen, then we will work the keyboard, the ports and the vents. Finally, we recommend some covers, as well as preventive measures to prevent the accumulation of dirt in the first place. Spoiler: Washing your hands before using your device is a good first step.
Cleaning the screen
Naturally, one of the things you want to clean thoroughly is the screen. When dust, fingerprints and spots accumulate, it can make your visual experience difficult.
First things first: either a Mac or PC, turn it off and disconnect your device from the power cords. It also doesn't hurt to make sure there are no liquids nearby.
Once your device is turned off, you can start cleaning with a cloth or towel, preferably one that is soft and lint-free, like a microfiber cloth. If your screen is tactile, you will definitely want to avoid using more abrasive items such as bath towels or paper towels. With a cloth in your hand, clean the screen in one direction.
A dry cloth is probably not enough when it comes to stains and dirt. If that is the case, you can moisten the cloth with a screen cleaner or water (water only) and then clean the screen with that.
Be sure not to wet the fabric too much, as excess liquid can leak and cause serious damage to the computer. Similarly, you should never spray a liquid directly on your device; It should always be applied first to a cloth. Finally, you should avoid cleaners that contain ingredients such as acetone, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide or other strong substances. Examples of these include household cleaners and multi-use window cleaners.
Not everyone has a microfiber cloth or screen cleaner, but fortunately, there are many kits that come with them.
This Bryson Screen Cleaner Kit ($ 16.95; amazon.com) includes a 16-ounce screen cleaner bottle that is safe even for touch screens. You will also receive a microfiber cloth.
For something a little more portable, there is the Whoosh! Screen cleaner kit ($ 15.99; amazon.com) . Two spray bottles of screen cleaning liquid (3.4 ounces and 0.3 ounces) are included, as well as three microfiber cloths. It is easy to travel with this kit, so you don't have to worry about having a dirty computer screen while traveling.
Finally, there are the iCloth Lens and Screen Cleaner wipes without ammonia ($ 22.32, originally $ 23.49; amazon.com) . This set contains 100 individually wrapped wipes. They are soft and approved by the aerospace industry, they are pre-moistened with a 75% purified water formula. Anything, from dust to grease and dirt, leaves with a few wipes. In addition, it is easy to put some in the case or pocket of your laptop.
Cleaning the keyboard
When you look down from your now bright screen, you may realize that your keyboard is just as dirty. This cleaning job may seem more intimidating, but we have some tips that will make it easier.
When it comes to cleaning a keyboard, you'll want to take care of both the spaces between your keys and their surfaces. Nor does it harm to dislodge dust and particles that have accumulated under the keys with compressed gas, since such accumulation can interfere with the function of the affected key. Just to be sure, make sure your computer is turned off and unplugged.
Before scrubbing the cracks in the keyboard, you can dislodge a large amount of dust and crumbs with a can of compressed gas. Air cans are easy to find, like this 4-unit Falcon Dust-Off. on Amazon ($ 16.99; amazon.com) . Some safety tips for these: This is a highly compressed gas container. Do not heat the can, do not shake it excessively or break it. It is important to note that the can must be held upright and using short bursts.
To begin, look for the thin red tube connected to the can and insert it into the mouthpiece. Then, point it to the space between a row of keys on the opposite side of your keyboard. In short bursts, or a quick burst of up to three seconds, squeeze the trigger while moving the can along the crack. Do it for each horizontal space along the keyboard. You can also press the vertical lines between the keys with quick bursts for a more complete job. If you want, you can carefully position the laptop up on its left or right side so that the powder falls more easily while spraying.
After prolonged use, the can can become very cold or even cold. This is normal: just give it a minute to return to its normal temperature for maximum effectiveness. If you are not holding the can upright, this cooling will occur much faster.
You can not go wrong with a cotton swab to clean between its keys and remove everything that has come off the can of air. You may already have some at home, but brands like Q-tips are available on Amazon if you don't have it ($ 9.59, originally $ 14.89; amazon.com) . With the stick in your hand, clean methodically between the keys. You may need to change the sides of the stick or replace it with a new one occasionally, depending on how dirty the keyboard is. Do your best to clean the particles instead of dragging them under a wrench.
If you have problems with intense dirt or want a disinfectant effect, you can slightly moisten the cotton swabs with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). A toothbrush can also be an effective tool to eliminate the hardest buildup. And you can also use that microfiber cloth with a little alcohol to clean both the laptop case and the trackpad. Just be sure to rub gently, with just a slightly damp microfiber, on the touch panel, as it can be a sensitive area, especially in MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. And yes, isopropyl should remove dirt and dirt from the case.
Last but not least, there are the surfaces of its keys. For these, once again we recommend a soft, lint-free cloth for the best results. Take the cloth and simply gently clean the keys in one direction. We do not recommend moistening the cloth with water, as it may drip on the laptop and cause damage. A cloth slightly moistened with isopropyl alcohol may be useful for removing dirt and disinfecting the surface, but in exceptional cases, this can damage the letters of some keyboards. We recommend using wipes or solutions designed to clean such surfaces.
A kit that fits this description is the Tech Armor Pro Cleaning Kit ($ 14.95; amazon.com) . Two microfiber cloths, 20 pre-moistened cleaning wipes and two bottles of cleaning solution (4 ounces and 2 ounces) are included. The solution in the wipes and bottles does not contain alcohol or ammonia, so it is safe for keyboards, technology and even screens. Keep some wipes or a cloth and a bottle to clean both the keyboard and the screen wherever you go. The iCloth wipes mentioned above are also excellent for cleaning the keyboard, although they contain alcohol.
Ports, vents and covers
Ports and vents are often overlooked when cleaning. When too much dust and particles accumulate in a port, the contacts inside can be blocked, preventing it from working. Vents can also become clogged, which can interfere with your laptop's ability to cool down. Too much accumulation there could also cause more dust to accumulate in the internal components of your laptop. Below are some tips and techniques to clean these vital points, as well as to keep your laptop case clean.
For both ports and vents, it cannot fail with an air can, such as the Falcon Dust-Off mentioned above. To begin, place the thin red tube that comes with the can in the mouthpiece. To clean its ports, aim the tube at the port entrance and spray some quick bursts. This will eliminate most dust and loose particles. For vents, move the nozzle at an angle while firing some short bursts. If a vent is really dusty, alternate between the air can and a soft touch with a soft, lint-free cloth, preferably a microfiber cloth. Do not allow liquids to enter the ventilation.
For most rigid laptop cases, you don't have to be so cautious about cleaning. Unless specifically instructed otherwise, you can wash them with a damp cloth with soap or disinfectant wipes, for example. Just make sure the case is completely dry before reconnecting your laptop.
Preventive care
You can do a lot to prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt and germs on your laptop. If you don't have a laptop sleeve or case, that will be the first step. A case will not only protect your computer from scratches, but it can absorb some of the buildup, such as oil and dust, that would otherwise stick to your laptop. Keeping your laptop in a case when not in use can also prevent it from accumulating a lot of dust.
Incase manufactures a variety of laptop cases. Most of them are for the MacBook family, but the covers can accommodate other brands of laptops as long as the dimensions match. You can see their models here. Below, we list some that MacBook users will want to check. Most come in a wide range of colors.
- Incase hard case for MacBook Pro 13 "($ 49.95; incase.com)
- Incase 13 "nylon case for MacBook Air ($ 24.98; incase.com)
- 13 "Woolenex Sleev e MacBook Pro case ($ 49.95; incase.com)
We also have some tips that may seem obvious, but the reminder is worth it.
The best way to prevent the accumulation of dirt, grease and fingerprints (not to mention stopping the spread of bacteria to your device) is to wash your hands. It also helps to carry your laptop in a secure container, such as a backpack, case or case, so that it is not exposed to the environment. And, of course, try not to eat or drink near your laptop. We all make mistakes.
Do not let dust and dirt take over your laptop. Try our tips and techniques to keep them at bay.
Note: The prices above reflect the price at the time of publication of the article.