Computer Maintenance & Care

The Cleaning Tools

There are certain weapons you need to take into battle when delving into your computer’s innards and taking on computer peripherals. Each tool has a purpose, but some have more uses than others.

First off, Windex, which is usually a common household item, has a number of external uses. A paper towel works best for cleaning and gently scrubbing at grime. Be careful not to be overzealous with spraying. You don’t want it dripping onto your hardware.

• It can be used for cleaning the outside of your computer tower’s case and does a good job getting rid of grimy streaks, dirt and fingerprints.
• It also works well on case windows, if you have one.
• It can be used on CRT monitors, however, not much more than a light spraying is needed.

Second, probably your most powerful and most used tool in your arsenal, a compressed Air Can. It can be found at various supermarkets and electronics stores for about $4-$6. It comes with a small straw, which I suggest you use, for it concentrates and helps direct the forced air into one place. Not to mention that it also goes a long way when trying to blow out small spaces and crevices. Try not to hold it at awkward angles (no more than about 40-degrees from the standing position) or shake it; otherwise frigid liquid will be sprayed out with the forced air. If this liquid is sprayed on any of the computer’s components, let the computer sit for 30 minutes to an hour before turning it on again, for the condensation may short circuit the hardware. For those of you who have Air Compressors, you can use that instead, but shouldn’t go over 40psi because the pressure may damage the hardware by knocking off small protruding components.

• For use in keyboards in getting all of the cookie crumbs, pretzel sticks and dust bunnies out so you can once again press down the keys.
• For use inside the computer case.
• For cleaning monitor vents
• For simply giving the computer a good “once-over” dusting.

Isopropyl Alcohol is another big item on the list. 70% is fine, but 91% is more preferable. The higher the percentage, the less water in it, and the better it is for your hardware. Higher percentages are more toxic for consumption (in other words, don’t drink it!). It can be used for cleaning on more delicate components and equipment that you wouldn’t use Windex on. Note that you should not leave the container open for long, seeing as it evaporates very quickly.

• For use on LCD screens
• For use on laptop keyboards and touch pads.
• For use in various peripherals, such as ball mice and camera lenses.

A way to apply the isopropyl alcohol is through use of a Lint-Free Cloth. Cover the opening of the bottle with the cloth, dump it quickly to get it damp and proceed to rub it on the intended surface. An old (but clean) piece of cotton clothing can be substituted if a lint-free cloth is not available. No matter what the liquid is, it should never be applied directly to hardware.

Q-Tips aren’t extremely necessary, but can be useful at times. They are mainly used for cleaning tight spots with isopropyl alcohol. Although it may sound wasteful, do not double-dip the Q-Tips in the isopropyl alcohol bottle, otherwise you will contaminate the alcohol.

The last thing on the list is a Vacuum Cleaner. This is for use in the instance that there is more dust and dirt in a computer case than an air can is able to take care of within reason. It’s best if you have one with a plastic end, so you don’t touch your hardware with the metal tube of the vacuum cleaner. If you don’t have any plastic ends, wrap the metal end in duct tape, masking tape, packing tape, or whatever other kind of tape you may have laying about. Watch out that you don’t accidentally suck up jumper pins or other small parts.

That should be about it for the items included in your arsenal. Next step, lock and load.