Computer & Computer Keyboard
Cleaning
Computer-advisor
computer & computer keyboard cleaning article.
When cleaning any electrical equipment always make sure that it
is unplugged from any mains or electrical supplies.
When work with any
electronic components, make sure that you are properly earthed,
check out our guide here.
With most computer
equipment it’s usually is not necessary to use solvents to
remove any dirt or grime, normally a just damp warm cloth will
suffice.
If you need to use
any solvent, please take precautions, the odour of some can be a
little over powering and if used undiluted may discolour or mark
certain plastics and paints.
Computer-advisor computer & computer keyboard cleaning article
cleaning computer
screen
When cleaning a monitor there are a number of very simple ways
to do this, firstly you could simply purchase screen wipes, but
if you are simply removing dust or other general grime normally
disposable kitchen towelling paper will suffice.
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
Cleaning the case should only require a damp cloth, sometimes a
foam spray cleaner is a good way to get rid of stubborn stains,
when using a foam cleaner make sure you spray onto a cloth, do
not spray directly onto the computer, spray cleaners can make a
real mess.
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
After a few years you can tell a lot about a computers
environment by the amount of dust and other grime that builds up
inside it.
This is generally caused by the fan on the power supply blowing
out hot air and sucking in air through all other holes in the
computers case.
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
The keyboard is the number one thing that really does get dirty,
after a year or so any well used keyboard will have a number of
things which have dropped down inside it.
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
For a computer mouse cleaning kit you will need a paper clip ,
platen or rubber cleaner & a piece of nylon material “ a piece
of old shirt is ideal , some foam cleaner or very weak
detergent.
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.
Computer-advisor
computer & computer keyboard cleaning article
Spilt something on your computer ? , find out how you can deal
with it
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computer keyboard cleaning
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