Computer-advisor computer & computer keyboard cleaning article

Wet the kitchen towel just enough so that the dust/dirt particles will easily be transferred to the towel from the monitor, don’t over wet the towel, you really do not want water to be dripping from it.

Then simply wipe gently from left to right starting at the top of the screen and working your way to the bottom, normally a single wipe is sufficient to get it clean, providing the cloth is not too damp the screen will dry in a few seconds

Computer-advisor computer & computer keyboard cleaning article

Cleaning case

If you need to remove dust from any crevices you can either purchase a mini vac, which is specifically designed for this, or use a semi hard toothed brush such as a toothbrush to loosen the dust and a vacuum cleaner.

Computer-advisor computer & computer keyboard cleaning article

Cleaning computer inside

To clean in the inside of the case you’ll need a small clean paint brush, about 1-2cm and vacuum cleaner, just remove any attachments as we’ll only need it with the pipe.

Now just use gently use the paint brush to loosen any dust/fluff etc and at the same time remove it completely with the hoover “ the hoover should never need to touch the inside of the case or components.

This will only take a few minutes, dust and fluff normally gather in crevices or areas in the case where there is very little air flow, so you’ll find it in the corners, amongst the cables, in CD and Floppy drives, and especially in the power supply.

Unless you really wish to dismantle the power supply, it’s better just to disturb any dust etc using the brush, the best you can and again just remove it at the same time with the hoover.

The inside of you computer will look new after a few minutes

Computer-advisor computer & computer keyboard cleaning article

Computer keyboard cleaning

Computer-advisor computer & computer keyboard cleaning article

This will include, hair, dead skin, food and a whole host of other things. Luckily a basic keyboard today is relatively cheap so can be replaced, but what if you have a super duper Microsoft or wireless keyboard, which costs buck ? get ready for some computer keyboard cleaning .

There are a few ways of doing this, you could always completely dismantle it and give it a thorough clean, this is very time consuming and we do not think it warrants the extra time.

Anyway you could do almost as good job by cleaning it externally.

When you clean a keyboard externally there are only two areas to clean, the first is the keys and the area around them, the second is the real grime area “ the area under the keys “ to clean the area under the keys,

I’d recommend a computer vac, they are very cheap and easy to use and make cleaning the whole thing a synch, some of the mini vacs even plug into the USB port, how cool is that.

To begin slowly wipe a damp cloth around the keys, most dirt should come off easily, if you need to use a foam cleaner, please please please only apply it to a cloth, do not apply it directly to the keyboard, if you do, you really will have to open the keyboard, it will make one big mess.

Once you’ve cleaned the keys to your satisfaction use the computer vac to remove any debris you can see under the keys. This can be a little fiddly, but it’s by far the easiest way to do this.

Computer-advisor computer & computer keyboard cleaning article

Cleaning Mouse

There a couple of different types of computer mice on the market, if you have the laser or ball less kind, these will only need to have the case cleaned, damp paper kitchen towel is normally good for this,

to remove any ground in marks or stains foam cleaner is pretty good, or even tooth paste can be used, but be warned tooth paste is a mild abrasive and will begin to remove the surface of the mouse, so use carefully.

If your mouse if the ball kind, apart from cleaning the outside, it’s very important to clean the inside, this is very easy and only take a few minutes.

If the does not move smoothly and freely, it’s probably an issue with the ball or the small rollers.

Firstly remove the mouse ball, usually the cover for this opens in an anti-clockwise direction, then remove the ball, from here you’ll need to clean the actual ball, this can easily be cleaned with a rubber or platen cleaner,

after a while the ball actually become shiny and does not then grip surfaces or rollers.

After this check the small rollers inside the mouse, you’ll be able to see these where the mouse ball fits, they can quickly become encrusted in grunge, if it’s really hard on, the side of a straightened paper clip is good for this

“ do not use the end of the paperclip or you may actually scratch the rollers which will reduce the smoothness of the mouse, otherwise a thin piece of wet nylon will suffice.

Once you’ve done this remember to clean the little feet on the mouse, any grime will wipe off.

One other thing clean the surface / mouse mat , this can easily be done with a little very weak detergent or some foam cleaner using your piece of nylon.