Dear Katie,
I’ve been using my laptop for about two years, and it’s looking pretty rough. I carry it in my backpack, so there is dirt and dust from that, and the oils and other stuff from my hands has accumulated on the keys and near the touch pad. Can I clean it myself, or do I have to take it in?
Rob, 22
Dear Rob,
No need to take your laptop in to be cleaned or buy any fancy kits. You might want to check your user manual that came with your laptop before trying to clean it. It may void a warranty.
First of all, make sure your laptop is turned off and nothing is plugged into it. You being electrocuted doesn’t get your computer clean.
We’ll start with the screen. You will need 2 soft cloths, such as an pair of old socks, and cleaning solution. Mix one part isopropyl alcohol and one part water.
Don’t know what that means? Isopropyl alcohol is sold in drug stores, and measuring things in parts is quite simple. Anything can be used to measure. The cap from lip balm can be a unit of measurement.
For cleaning your computer, try using a small bowl and add 1/4 cup of isopropyl alcohol and 1/4 of water. Dip the sock lightly in the mixture, so that it is slightly moist, not wet. Keep the other cloth dry. Wring out any excess moisture, then start wiping the screen. When you have done the entire screen, use the dry cloth to remove any excess.
You can use this same mixture on the rest of the laptop. Cotton swabs may be easier to use on the keyboard. Remember, don’t use too much cleaning solution. The idea is to remove gunk, not to give it a shower.
To clean the keyboard, either brush away crumbs and other loose debris with an old toothbrush, or you can get a can of compressed air. You can get it at a hardware store or any big box mart. You do need to be 18 to purchase compressed air because it contains a toxic chemical, so be careful when you are using it.
Hold your laptop at an angle, and use the compressed air to blow all of the debris out from the keys. You might want to try it a few times at a few different angles.
Compressed air can also be used to clean out ports and vents. Just be sure that none of the liquid from the can gets into them.
I hope this helps answer your question. Here are a few sites to learn more about cleaning laptop computers.
Mobile Office
How to Clean Stuff
Computer Hope