Life Hack: How to deep clean your laptop, from screens and keyboards to vents and ports
![Life Hack: How to deep clean your laptop, from screens and keyboards to vents and ports Life Hack: How to deep clean your laptop, from screens and keyboards to vents and ports](/cms_media/module_img/7524/3762016_7_articlesmall_iStock-1295754028.jpg)
Here are some safe ways to clean your laptop
You do not want to go near your laptop’s screen with a bleach-based disinfectant or a harsh cleaner. Similarly, be careful using any liquid around your device as too much can damage its hardware. For fingerprints and smudges, a clean, dry microfibre cloth should remove most, if not all, of these. Opt for microfiber over other fabrics or paper towels as these could scratch the screen. For non-LCD screens, HP recommends using a bit of rubbing alcohol for any stubborn spots. Lightly dab it onto a microfibre cloth to avoid excess liquid entering your speakers or keyboard. Start in the centre of the screen and gently wipe the screen in a circular motion. Wipe down the screen until the entire surface is clean and no dust or dirt remains. However, rubbing alcohol should be avoided if your screen is LCD as it will damage it.
One of the key things that causes dirt on a laptop screen is dirt on a laptop’s keyboard. You may be thinking you rarely touch the screen with your fingers, but don’t forget that when you close your laptop you are pressing the screen into the keyboard. So, keeping your keyboard clean will prevent a lot of problems. Computer manufacturer Asus says dirt can be easily removed from some laptops by flipping them upside down. If you have an SSD-type storage drive, this is a safe method to try.
First, turn off your computer. Next, turn the laptop upside down and shake it gently for a few seconds to remove some of the particles stuck under the buttons. Make sure you keep a firm grip though in case it slips. This step should be avoided with HDD-type storage laptops as it could damage hard drives due to their spinning disk structure.
Place the laptop on a table or desk in its usual position — not upside down — and go over the keyboard and touchpad with a soft brush. Next, spray rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth and gently rub it over the keyboard and touchpad. Dip a cotton swab in alcohol and use this in the spaces between the caps.
If your laptop’s vents and ports are clogged, it can impact your computer’s functionality. A small vacuum cleaner can be used over these areas, ideally using an attachable brush. Vacuum over each area two or three times. Use a blunt toothpick to remove dust and dirt from the ports, making sure not to damage the connectors. Repeat this step for the vents.