As I was typing I was noticing all the dust and what looks like crumbs between the keys on my key board. I don't eat while I'm at the computer so I don't know what all the stuff is, but there seems to be a lot of it. I was thinking maybe I ought to clean it up. My screen could definitely use a dusting. Do you clean your computer? How do you do it? Any recommendations?
[question posted by susieq223]
responses and comments:
There are several schools of thought on this, but all agree that dust is not our friend. I use a combination of a swiffer duster and a litle attachment for my vacuum cleaner to clean the dust off of surfaces. The attachment is abotu $% at WalMart. Also once a month I open up my tower case and dust inside. There is a great website that gives tips about this. Start here: http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11319_7-6240575-4.html [badpenny]
Yes, thank you very much for that link and your reply. [susieq223]
I eat and smoke around my computer all the time so I have to clean it out about twice a year. I pop all the keys off my keyboard and wash it out real well with Q tips and alcohol. I take the mouse apart and clean all the wheels off with alcohol. I also clean out the computer itself too. I take all the fans out and wash them and dust the whole thing out. The power supply get particularly dirty so I clean out the fan and blow the box out with compressed air. I take the heat sink off my cpu and soak it clean in 409 or window cleaner. So far so good. I've had the same computer for almost 9 yrs and it's still working. You just have to make darn sure it's unplugged, you have to be electrically grounded, everything has to be bone dry before you put it back together and if using compressed air you have to wait until everything is back to room temperature before starting it back up. I usually wait at least an hour. [craftcatcher]
Hi Loen, thanks for the compliment! Most of what I've learned is out of necessity. I can't afford to have someone else do upgrades and cleaning so I just had to do it myself. Most keyboards are pretty easy to take apart and put back together. The keys are just usually held on by a metal spring and the keys just pop off with a little pressure on one side. Sometimes I use a small screwdriver to gently pop them off but you have to be very careful not to pry so hard that you bend the springs. When putting them back on you have to be sure that the springs fit back into the groove on the underside of the key or your keys won't pop back up when press them down. Sometimes they are a real pain to get back in there. That's why I only clean out the keyboard when it absolutely necessary. The first time I had to clean mine out was because I spilled a few drops of juice on it and the keys got sticky. The second time I went to blow out a candle and spilled wax all over it. What a mess that was! So anyway my point is, don't take it apart unless you have no choice but if you have to it's a fairly easy thing to do. [craftcatcher]
I recommend putting a towel close to the keyboard, then turning the keyboard over and shaking it. Please try not to be horrified by what falls out. Also, get a Q-tip and spray Windex on the tip. Then just run it between the keys on the board. As for the screen, just a nice soft towel will brush the dust off. I need to do the keyboard thing, but I'm scared. I think I need someone to hold my hand while I do it... [AmbiePam]
I don't blame you. I'm scared, too. I think I will put everything on CD before I clean! [susieq223]
Yes i do because cleaning the computer have a dust,especially on keyboard is our own responsibility to make sure our computer can work better and the dust will not disturb us to type the words [ayris77]
Everything works better when it's clean, right? [susieq223]
I use a soft glass cleaning cloth for the monitor with just a splash of water not cleaner. I use a can of compressed air to clean out the keyboard and airvents in the tower itself. I do this once a day as I smoke and the montior starts to yellow and many ashes fall into my keyboard. HAHAHA! I'm a pig at times. HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~ [webeishere]
You used the compressed air to blow the stuff out? I've never tried using compressed air for anything before. [susieq223]
I think I was attracted to this discussion cause I'm trying to figure out the same thing....I really could stand to clean my keyboard too, and I have to confess I Do eat at the computer, but I'm careful not to spill anything on it, yet it still has gluck in it...I was reading some of the responses like using compressed air...yikes have you ever read those cans??? They say highly inflammable...no thanks...don't want to blow up the place---I wonder if I can blame my kitties for the strange gluck on my keyboard....LOL..Kissy just loves to be up here at times and can't help wondrer, what do those darlings do when I'm out...LOL [pyewacket]
That's where those hairs come from! Maybe the crumbs, too! [susieq223]
We used to have a kit. But I don't know where it went. I usually just use glasses cleaner (we wear glasses) for the computer screen - I spray a bit onto a clean, smooth (not fuzzy at all) cloth, and then wipe the screen. I turn the keyboard upside down and shake any crumbs out. I use a Q-tip to wipe between the keys, and then my husband will occasionally use a little air blower to blow air into it to get the dust out. [cutepenguin]
Sounds so easy even I could do it! Thanks [susieq223]
I have wipes, Windex, and air dusters to keep my computer clean. I need my computer to be clean at all times. [rogue13xmen13]
I know I should keep mine cleaner. Thanks. [susieq223]
I dont have computer with me.I have laptop.Everyday i use this laptop for 4-10 hours,so there won't be any dust as like we have near the computer.I sometimes drink tea or eat something when i am on the computer,but i would be more careful in doing the things.Ofcourse sometimes i see dust all over the keys,so once in a week,i clean the laptop with cloth.I also came to know there are some online classess for cleaning of a computer from our mylot friends.Just check it out friend. Have a nice day... [sudhajosyula50]
Actually, I have a lap top also, but I think a lot of the same techniques could be used. Thanks for the reply. [susieq223]
every month i clean the tower case, and the screen... i also clean the mouse, and the keyboard... but however i clean th OS...i uninstall all programs that i don't need, i remove all the files tha i don't use, i clean the cookie and the temporaney files... i keep clean the desktop, i remove old icons... i like to keep clean the pc, so i can find files easily... [aletanz]
Sounds great. Do you make house calls? lol! Thanks for the reply. [susieq223]
Cleaning the monitor and the CPU is comparitively easier than cleaning the keyboard. I have this particular brush with very soft bristles to clean my keyboard. The brush dusts away the dirt in between the keys. For the monitor and CPU i use a clean soft cloth. I do this everyday. Once in a week, my husband takes off the connection and cleans it perfectly. [pinnibabu]
Great husband! Mine won't touch ours! Especially not for cleaning! lol! Thanks for the reply. [susieq223]
I flip my keyboard over and tap on the back of it to get out what I can. Then I use the can of air (you can get it at Walgrees, Walmart, etc.) to get what I couldn't tap out. For the monitor I spray a little bit of Windex on a rag and clean it (this depends on the type of monitor, if worried use water instead), making sure the rag isn't saturated so nothing drips on anything. I occasionally take the casing off the computer tower and use a can of air to get the dust out of there too. I very rarely eat near the keyboard but it still gets gross. [TheCatzMeow1]
It does, doesn't it? Thanks for the reply. [susieq223]
you can use a small brush in cleaning your keyboards and some kind of polish for the surface. [MisterPlus]
Thanks for the suggestions! [susieq223]
Oh yes - I deffinitely DO clean my computer - especially the keyboard - mainly the keyboard! I hate the tocuh of the nasty greezy keys - when they are dirty, I hate the crumbs between them. I usually use these wet handkerchiefs - they can easily go between the keys. But don;t think I'm some kind of clearness freak - I just can't stand the thought of touching my face for example after writing on the keyboard. [tempiko]
You have a point there. Thanks for the reply and welcome to myLot. [susieq223]
yes every 3 days i will clean this using brush in computer.. i also clean with computer cleanser... most especially the screen i wipe it every min., also i virus scan it every 2 days and defrag... [amber_rhys]
I didn't know there was such a thing as computer cleaner. Thanks for the reply. [susieq223]
there are some products out there that are made especially for cleaning computers. you use them to clean your monitor and cpu case, because the dust does not come off as easily with detergent and other cleansers. i dont clean my computer that much, although when it gets really dusty i have to clean it so i don't look like the pig that i really am, typing on a dusty and messy computer LOL! [teleios]
I know what you mean! Thanks for the reply. [susieq223]
I always wipe down my computer every day. The dust will cause it not to breathe right. Once or twice a week, I use lysol to clean it and even use a toothbrush on my keyboard. Before I get started the computer is always turned off first. It's important to keep it clean so the fan won't burn up inside the tower. [jbones32103]
Thanks for the suggestions and the reply. [susieq223]
Yes, I do clean my laptop. I use this static free cloth. But I haven't really figured out how to remove the dust under the keys. [jungle_girl]
Is it safe to do that to your laptop? I do that to the keyboards of my desktop. But wouldn't it harm your laptop? [jungle_girl]
I use to clean my pc berofe sit in front of the system.first i use to clean my keybord before switch on my Pc,i'l take small paint brush to clean the keybord it help to clean in between the keys.Than switch on the Pc make it for full scan,in the mean while i'l clean the mointer,Cpu and Pc table. it save the time,i'l use this clean every day. [shravnann]
A paint brush--that is a good idea. Thanks for the reply and welcome to myLot. [susieq223]
yes I do clean my computer's monitor and keyboard. For my monitor screen I use lint free sheets or newspaper will do and for the side and back rags w/ all purpose surface cleaner eg. MC. Same with the keyboard or you can buy those small vacuum cleaner at a computer store. [eprado]
I like the vacuum cleaner idea. Thanks. [susieq223]
What I do is turn the keyboard upside down and shake it loose. Some people recommend taking out the keys, but to me that seems a bother and only if you happened to spill liquid on it. I do not know about the processor other than to remove the case and use one of those dust spray cans or a small vacuum to remove the dirt. However if you dampen a linen cloth or a paper towel with vinegar and water, you can clean your screen. Do not use Windex as it ruins the finish off the monitor especially if you have a flat panel one. [suspenseful]
Thanks for the hint about not using Windex as well as the other suggestions. [susieq223]
To clean the computer of dust, get a can of compressed air and spray it all over. And to clean the keyboard, take the keys off one by one and clean it out, it's the only way. [loolets]
Well, I sometimes use a vacuum cleaner for my desktop computer. I open it, and clean the dust from inside. With a laptop it's much easier. There's nothing you really have to do. [Sutocu]
Thanks for the reply. [susieq223]
I do clean my computer once a week. I am allergic to dust so I have to. I just use a soft cloth with Endust. [venshida]
Thanks for the suggestion. [susieq223]
no i dont clean my computer just use blower in its inner parts like processor nd other things coz if they dirty than they makes the computer very slow [Haisum]
Welcome to myLot and thanks for your reply. [susieq223]
Use that can of spray stuff for the keyboard, it really does work. I have this cloth thing I got from best buy that works really well on the monitor. Hope that helps. [baj1985]
The spray seems well recommended. Thanks. [susieq223]
i use to clean my pc once in a month with washing powder n damp sponge [qudsiakarim85]
Thanks for your suggestion and reply. [susieq223]
My roommate will actually pop the keys off of the keyboard every once in a while and clean the inside of the key board with a Q Tip. Me myself I could never do this. Why? Because I would never put the keys back in the right spot! lol. Anyway she does that for the keyboard and we clean the inside of the tower with those little cans of air you can buy. Whatever those are called. lol. Quite personally this computer is about to bite the dust. Need a new one pretty soon. Thats why i'm posting my hiney off on my lot. lol. :-) [marcialoyd]
Thanks for the suggestions. Hope you can get you a nice new one soon. [susieq223]
I am always cleaning my keyboard as I eat around it, and always dusting off my monitor as well. I think the Qtip idea is one I am going to try. As for the inner workings of your Computer... Depending on where you have your Computer, it is prone to Dust, etc. and will start making weird noises and Loud when the fan gets too dirty. But it is easy to go in there and clean it as well like others have suggested. Keeping your Keyboard, etc. clean and free from dust, etc. also helps with the prolonging of your Computer as well. [KrauseHome]
Thanks for your reply. [susieq223]
I need to clean my computer. I'm glad you started this discussion. [didioo]
Glad you made it on. Good job! Thanks for the reply. [susieq223]
use vinegar to clean pc but just clean every few days [tezovhemo]
Hey there, I thought I replied to you a while ago, but see not. ;o) But I am quite messy, as I always have my daily and evening snacks at the computer desk, and get crumbs around. But what is by far the most is my darling Sylvie, my kitty, who loves to come onto my desk and get pet and combed in front of the computer, and then she flops down (blockign my keyboard, and squashing my arms securely so I can't type), hee hee. But she gets her hair all over in between the keys. It's a joy when she comes to cuddle, which she does regularly, but I do get worried about hte keyboard especially. (And I have to white my face off as though we try to comb her more regularly, she still is shedding a lot, esp. as spring is coming!). I do not know enough about cleaning, but I just use alcohol wipes (the skinner ones are better), to just sweep them across the rows of keys, which always takes out dust, a bit of crumbs, but mostly cat hair which is almost galore in there! So, this is a good discussion to get tips from others' postings. [Loen210]
A clean computer is a happy computer. I usually turn it off when I clean it, that way no static electricity gets injested and I clean it with a can of compressed air. That stuff in the keyboard is called "hand plaque". I turn off my monitor and clean it lightly with windex, I never spray it on the monitor. I also open up the CPU and take it outside and blast it with air to get all the dust out so it doesn't overheat. Be careful with the fan in the back that gives it air, if you blast it with too much air and make it go faster than its supposed to it will burn it out and it won't work when you need it to. I do this once a month. [gitfiddleplayer]
hi there, cleaning of computer is very important, I flip my keyboard over and tap on the back of it to get out what I can. Then I use the can of air to get what I couldn't tap out. For the monitor I spray a little bit of Windex on a rag and clean it (this depends on the type of monitor, if worried use water instead), making sure the rag isn't saturated so nothing drips on anything. I occasionally take the casing off the computer tower and use a can of air to get the dust out of there too. I very rarely eat near the keyboard but it still gets gross. and we get to be gentle in cleaning moniter. [purnima175]