Did you know that laptop keyboards can have up to 7,000 different microorganisms living on them?
Much like phones, keyboards get contaminated with a bacteria and microorganisms over time.
If you want to reduce your chances of getting sick and have a clean laptop, there are a couple of steps to follow to get it clean.
Continue reading to discover the simple steps to cleaning your laptop that doesn’t take long to do!
Prepare Your Laptop
The first step to cleaning your laptop is to prepare it by turning it off completely and unplugging it.
This step is important because while you are cleaning it, you don’t want to be opening tabs, typing, or locking your system up. You will also want to ensure the laptop isn’t plugged in so that you don’t electrocute yourself or cause internal damage to the hard drive.
Another part of preparing your laptop is removing the CDs, USBs, and other items that can be plugged into your computer. Take your laptop cover off if you have one.
Every laptop user gets a little nervous during this step. This is because the laptop won’t have any protection, so be sure that you have it in a safe place and don’t drop it on the floor.
Gather Supplies
If you want a clean laptop, there are a couple of items that you will need to get the job done.
Many people recommend using rubbing alcohol to clean the keyboard and surfaces. Rubbing alcohol will do an excellent job at removing bacteria and sanitizing the surface. You will also want to have microfiber cloths nearby to help absorb extra moisture and provide a wipedown.
When cleaning the small compartments and features of your laptop, cotton swabs and canned air will also be beneficial. Cotton swabs work well in small spaces and you can dip them in the rubbing alcohol to get areas cleaned. The canned air is a great thing to purchase because it helps remove dust and debris from the keyboard and various ports.
Although there are many types of technology cleaning products that you can purchase, many of these are unnecessary. These products can be overpriced and you can find products around the house that are just as effective.
Some people recommend using a Magic Eraser to help clean your laptop and remove stubborn marks.
Begin with the Ports
Whether you have a brand new laptop or one that you’ve had for years, it is best to start cleaning from within.
Cleaning the ports first is beneficial because there will be more debris and dust when you clean the outside features such as the keyboard. Many people notice grime buildup in the USB ports, disk drives, and memory card slots. Use your compressed air and a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol to clean these spots out.
Rubbing alcohol will get rid of the grime that can be built up and is preventing your external hardware from properly functioning. Once you have cleaned these areas out with the rubbing alcohol, you can let it dry and spray the canned air inside of them. The canned air will help break loose any of the excess dust and ensure that there is nothing else inside of the ports.
Clean the Filters
Did you know that dirty filters on your computer can impact your laptop’s battery life?
When dust gets trapped in your computer’s surfaces it can lead to it overheating and shortening your battery life. Take time to pull your computer apart by following the instruction manual. You can use canned air to remove dust particles.
If the dirt and dust are built up, you might have to remove the filters and clean them with water and soap. Make sure that the pieces of your laptop are fully dried before putting them back together. Depending on your laptop, you might not have access to the filters, especially if you use a Macbook.
Wipe the Exterior
People should be wiping down their computer’s exterior and keyboard every couple of days, or at least once a week.
Since you use your laptop so frequently, it is not surprising that bacteria and grime build up over a couple of days. Cleaning the exterior of your laptop is one of the most satisfying things to do. Your dirty laptop will look brand new once you wipe it down with rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth.
It is also a good idea to sanitize your laptop case at this time so that you don’t put a dirty object back onto your clean laptop. When wiping down the exterior of your computer, be sure to get all of the cracks and crevices, especially around the spot that you open your laptop.
If you have any stubborn spots that won’t come out, try using a Magic Eraser, but only add a little bit of moisture to the sponge. Adding too much water to the sponge can lead to the cleaning product inside leaking out and leaving marks on your laptop surface.
Tackle the Keyboard
Although computers have come a long way with many advancements, the keyboard is still one of the dirtiest and most difficult spots to clean.
The keyboard is used every time that you open your laptop, so it should be no surprise that dust, debris, and grime can get inside. The first step to cleaning your keyboard is to get canned air and spray around each of the keys. The canned air will help blow out a lot of the mess and loosen up spots that have grime.
Once you have fully sprayed around the keys, you will want to clean up your surrounding area. The canned air can cause a bit of a mess because things are blowing out of your computer, that you likely didn’t even know were there.
After the table and keyboard are cleaned up, you can use a cloth and rubbing alcohol to wipe down the keys. This part is crucial because keyboards can hold a lot of bacteria and microorganisms. Wipe them down thoroughly so that the next time you touch your face or eat a chip, the bacteria doesn’t transfer to your body.
Focus on Your Mouse
Most people using a laptop use the trackpad to navigate their screen, some people, however, still prefer to use a mouse.
If you use a mouse to navigate your laptop, you should have it unglugged and will want to clean it. You can use rubbing alcohol to wipe down the cord and outside of the mouse. Many people recommend using canned air to remove dust and debris that can be found between the left and right buttons of your mouse.
Some mouses use a sensor to determine location, which can be wiped down with rubbing alcohol as well. If your mouse has the ball located on the under-side, you can remove it. Turn the circle around the ball to remove it.
After you remove the ball you can clean it with soap and water to get rid of grime that has built up. You should also spray the inside, where the ball was located, with canned air to remove dust. Cleaning your mouse will make a notable difference when you go to navigate your computer.
Turn It On
Once you have cleaned all of the components to your laptop and they have dried, you can put it all back together.
The pieces should go back together and improve your laptop experience. Turn your computer on to ensure that everything is working as it should. Many people notice that their trackpads and keyboard work better and don’t get stuck.
If for some reason your laptop does not turn on or you realize that you want a replacement, www.lenovo.com is a great site to check out. Lenovo computers are long-lasting and perform well for work, school, and even video games!
It is also a good idea to put your computer on the charge to let it get a full battery. This will make your system run more effectively and efficiently.
Cleaning Your Laptop the Right Way
There are many steps to cleaning your laptop that can easily be overlooked.
This guide helps break down each location of your computer and how to properly clean the areas. It is best to start by cleaning the inside ports before moving to the exterior of your laptop and keyboard. Make sure that your laptop is fully prepped, off, and unplugged before you start tackling the nitty-gritty.
You shouldn’t have to head to the store to buy the latest technology cleaning solutions. Rubbing alcohol, cloths, and cotton swabs can typically get the job done. Take your time and be careful when cleaning your laptop so that you don’t cause any damage.
Before you know it, your laptop will look as good as new with much less bacteria built up.
Be sure to check out our blog for more articles about the computer industry and how to maintain your technology!