Spring Clean Your PC in 5 Easy Steps
By Maggie Mason, MightyGirl
Most of us clean our computers about as often as we spill something on the keyboard. But to keep your computer in good working order, you should scrub it down about twice a year--more often if you like to eat chips at your keyboard. Before you start, you'll need some supplies: a large microfiber cloth, a can of compressed air, and a solution of 50 percent isopropyl rubbing alcohol and 50 percent mineral water, and a pair of tweezers. Once you have everything together, shut your computer down (if you're cleaning a laptop, remove the battery as well).
1. Dump your keyboard.
Flip your keyboard upside down and tap the bottom to shake free the debris of a thousand lunches, and then use your compressed air to blow out the remaining dust. Next, wet your microfiber cloth with the alcohol-water solution and wipe down the keys.
2. Scrub your mouse.
If you have an optical mouse, disconnect it from your computer and then clean the exterior with a microfiber cloth that has a bit of the alcohol-water solution on it. Don't try to clean the optical sensor on the bottom of your mouse, and don't use paper towels, tissues, or any other lint-generating materials. If you have a roller-ball mouse, turn it over, twist off the circle of plastic surrounding the ball, and shake loose any debris. Use your tweezers to scrape away and remove dirt and hair caked on to the rollers. (Tweezers work better than your fingernails, because they decrease the risk of gunk falling deeper inside the mouse.) When you're done, dust your mouse pad with a damp cloth.
3. Wipe down the case.
The plastic exterior of computers is pretty tough, so you can use most kinds of all-purpose cleaners. To be on the safe side, test a small, hidden patch before you get started, then wipe down the exterior with a cloth dampened with the cleanser.
4. Shine your screen.
Regular glass monitor screens are pretty tough, so you can use glass cleaner if you like, just avoid spraying solvent of any kind directly onto the screen. Instead, wet the cloth you're using to wipe the screen. If you have an LCD screen with just a little dust on it, use a dry microfiber cloth. If you're monitor is fairly dirty, use a specially designed spray (like Screen Clean). Spritz it onto a microfiber cloth and very gently wipe the screen in a circular motion. Apply even pressure and take care not to press your fingers into the screen.
5. Untangle your cables.
Start by unplugging all the cables and replacing any that are frayed or cracked. When everything is in order, dampen your cloth with the alcohol solution and pull each cable through until it's clean. If you find dust on the cable heads, use some compressed air to blow it off. Next, untangle your cables and use Velcro strips or cable ties to contain extra wire. If you're feeling ambitious, label everything while you're back there.
Do you have tips on keeping your computer and workstation tidy? Let us know in comments.
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Margaret Mason is the author of No One Cares What You Had for Lunch: 100 Ideas for Your Blog, publisher of Mighty Mighty Media, and a Twitter power user (@Maggie). Her personal blog, Mighty Girl was recently nominated for a SxSW Lifetime Achievement Award, and she was named one of Silicon Valley's Top 50 Influencers by Now Public.
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