We hate to tell you this, but laptops are dirty things. Though you might be the only person who ever touches it, think about all the things you touch in a day and then rub your hands all over your laptop. According to research from the Swinburne University of Technology your computer keyboard could have up 400 times more bacteria than other household or office equipment.
If you’re the type of person who eats at your desk, well then you probably have even more germs floating around it. Safe to say, it may not be getting the care it deserves. But that’s inside AND out.
Here are some simple easy steps to keep your laptop safe and clean:
1. Proper Shutdown
First things first, never attempt to clean your laptop while it is turned on. Ensure a full shutdown before following ANY of the other steps listed.
Really, you should always shutdown your laptop fully before carrying it around, as harmful vibrations can damage the hardware and in turn you could lose valuable stored information. To protect it further, we recommend always using a suitable laptop bag. Check out those available here.
2. Cleaning
How to clean your laptop screen
Nowadays laptop screens are far more durable than those of the past so you don’t have to worry quite as much about the amount of pressure you’re applying, but best to always be careful and start lightly.
For dust, microfibre cleaning cloths - the same as those that you use on your glasses - are ideal to do this task. Clean in one direction, don’t wipe up and down, or in a circular motion. Do not use a tissue or paper towel - just as repeated use of those are scratchy on your face, they’re also scratchy on your screen.
Sometimes it’s a little more than dust, for this use an ever so slightly damp microfibre cloth. Try to use filtered water for this, as harsh tap water could potentially leave further residue. Watch out for drips! Make sure you catch these immediately.
If whatever is on your screen is a little more sticky or oily then you can use specifically designed screen cleaners on your microfibre cloth or diluted window cleaner (50% with filtered water.) Wait for the screen to dry entirely before you close the laptop.
How to clean your laptop keyboard
Firstly, tip your laptop upside down and give it a gentle tap. Get your hands on a can of compressed air and spray in between the keys in short bursts. Tilt the laptop one way and spray from one side, then switch back to the other, instead of going in circular motions around the keys. Once you have blown out the hidden little bits, wipe the keys down with a lightly damped microfibre cloth.
If you’ve been sick you can use a disinfectant wipe to clean away the spread of germs but ensure that it isn’t overly wet. If, as with your screen, there are some additional sticky or oily bits you need to focus on, use a cotton ball or cue-tip with isopropyl alcohol.
How to clean the outside of your laptop
This is a simple one. As with all of the above, ensure whichever damp method you use make sure it’s not too wet. You can use the isopropyl alcohol mix from above, the vinegar water mix or even mix of five parts water one part dish detergent.
How to clean your laptop fan
Your laptop fan is essentially the lungs of your computer. It does its best to cool your laptop down to prevent dangerous overheating. If that system is all blocked up with dust, much like a smoker’s lungs, your laptop will be struggling to breathe.
The good news is it’s easy to clean your laptop fan. Just flip it over and find what looks like a vent with an access panel close to it. The fan should be right underneath. Using a can of compressed air, blow into the vent with light short bursts, in all directions.
3. What to do if you spill liquid on your laptop
Don’t panic, but act fast. Switch your laptop off immediately. Unplug it AND remove the battery if possible. Also remove any connected items like hard drives, a mouse, screens or additional keyboards.
Tip off the liquid, then wipe off any excess. Try to use a lint free cloth for this. It DOES matter if it’s just water or something sweeter. Plain old water isn’t as corrosive, so try to be more thorough if the liquid is sugary or even acidic.
By now you should probably start looking for your laptop’s warranty and find a professional service in your area. Do NOT turn your computer back on. If you’re extra worried you could choose to remove the memory and hard drives and extra hardware to allow them to dry. However, this will probably require unscrewing the back panel on your computer and is not something we recommend for someone with little technical knowledge.
Dry off all additional pieces or wipe with a slightly damp cloth if the liquid is anything other than water. Leave to dry. Do not apply heat. A normal fan will do the trick, but items like a hair dryer could damage the hardware.
Extra care
Clean Up your Software
Cleaning up isn’t just an outside job. We recommend you frequently backup important data, remove unused icons from your desktop, empty the Recycle Bin and uninstall any unnecessary or unused software. A seasonal spring clean always helps you feel extra fresh.
Air Circulation
If you’ve already cleaned your laptop fan, you’ll probably want to avoid adding extra dust into your laptop. Avoid using your laptop on soft surfaces (carpet, bed, blankets, etc) for long periods. These materials block your laptop’s ability to ‘breathe’ by reducing the air circulation inside your laptop; which can result in overheating and permanent damage.
Battery Care
A good battery can often be the answer to a good laptop. After all, if you’re on the go you need that battery to last. If you’re unsure about how best to care for your laptop battery, we’re here to help you. Read through our Battery Tips page to get the most out of your laptop's battery.
