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Whether you own a powerful laptop with an Intel i9 or one that costs less than $700, your machine needs to be cleaned. For those who live in a dust-free environment, It may look clean now, but we could bet that your machine has seen even cleaner days.
When it comes to laptops, the 2 major areas that need regular cleaning include the screen and the keyboard. Even after cleaning it with a cloth, there’s always a thin layer of dust that sits around the display and the keyboard that goes unnoticed. Especially when you use a laptop only sporadically, for example, only for schoolwork, doesn’t it?
In fact, many of us have the habit of eating while working on a laptop or even watching movies. You may not realize it when you are busy doing the activities, but all the particles get accumulated below the keyboard keys weakening the performance.
In fact, there are times when your laptop needs cleansing from the inside as well. As time passes by, the hardware inside the laptop may catch dust particles resulting in slower operations. Hence you may have to open the back panel and brush off the dust from the fans and the board.
Table of Contents
Cleaning the Laptop Screen in 3 Easy Steps
1. Turn Off Your System and Unplug it
Before you even start the cleaning, you need to unplug all the external devices attached to it. Also, save all your tasks and files and shut down the system for better operation and cleaning.
Make sure to turn off the laptop and remove the charging cable.
2. Get a Moist Cloth or a Cleaning Kit for the Screen
Now, either you can get moist cloth from your wardrobe if you have any, or for better cleaning, you can find tons of products on e-commerce sites. One of the most famous products with tons of good reviews that works like a charm for users all over the world is a Screen Cleaner Kit by Screen Mom.
It contains a spray and a cloth to wipe off all the dust from the screen or any watermarks if at all. Be extra careful NOT to use water to clean the screen. Laptops have LCD screens that can get damaged easily if not cleaned properly.
3. Wipe off the Screen
Now, all you need to do is spray the liquid on the cloth and gently wipe it. Or if you are using a damp cloth from home, do the same to wipe off all the dust particles. If you are using a screen cleaner, make sure you re-wipe it with a dry cloth just to be sure.
Also, the use of any cleaner should be done every day. At most once a week is good enough for the screen and your eyes to have a better view.
Cleaning the Keyboard in 4 Easy Steps
Next up is cleaning the keyboard. Let’s see how to do it.
1. Disconnect the Laptop From Charging
Remove all the devices connected to the laptop including the charger, to prevent electric shocks and data loss. If you are using an external keyboard, you need to simply plug it out and then carefully clean it.
Such delicate gadgets need to be handled with care as the keys may get loose or damaged.
2. Get a Keyboard Cleaner
Well, the very first thing we would recommend for cleaning your laptop would be a mini battery-operated vacuum cleaner. It may sound a little over the top, but people have been using it and they love it.
Another option that you can try out is a super comfortable cleaning brush. The grip is very comfortable to use and practical. Not only is it easy to use but it can clean every single corner or key of the keyboard. Both products are brilliant and within a different price range. Make sure you go through the products and decide for yourself.
3. Clean the Keyboard
Now, it is time to use the product you have chosen. Before that, it would be good if you turned the laptop upside down and very gently pat it to remove the dust particles from the keyboard.
Next, use a vacuum cleaner that will suck up all the dust, small particles, etc. It isn’t very powerful and runs off a battery that needs charging. In fact, it is cordless to use. Further, if you decided to go with the Cleaning Brush, simply use it on the edges of the keys and clean them one by one.
4. Clean the Outside Panels
So you want your laptop to shine like you just bought it. Well for that you need to clean it regularly so no dust accumulates on the front and back panels.
You can use the same soft cloth or Microfiber cleaning cloth that will do that job just fine. Not only can it be used to clean laptops but also the screen of your phone, TV, PC, etc. Here you could even use the Moistened wipes that contain drops of alcohol.
All you need to do is simply take out the wipes from the wrapper and run it across the panel. It works like a charm and will remove all the dust particles, oil marks, grease, sticky components, etc.
How To Clean Laptop’s Hardware Internally (Requires opening the back panel)
could affect the performance.
Since we have cleaned the outside of a laptop such as the Screen and the Keyboard, it is also important to clean the hardware parts as well. However, here you should be extra careful. There are certain delicate components that need to be carefully opened so make sure you are confident enough that you can do it yourself.
1. Open the Panel and Disconnect the Components
Firstly, newer laptops may not open up entirely. If that’s the case, you will have to take your laptop over to the technician.
Assuming that you have proper screwdrivers to open your laptop, remove all screws and open the back panel. Now, carefully disconnect the touchpad and the keyboard. The wires here are very delicate so do not apply pressure. Also, not many laptops have removable batteries nowadays. But if your laptop has one, you’d have to remove it before even opening the back panel.
2. Use a Small Vacuum Cleaner or Compressed Can of Air
To ensure your hardware is clean and the fans purr like a kitten, you will need a small vacuum cleaner or simply a can with compressed air.
Not many people are used to the compressed air can, but you can still get one on Amazon. The cleaner will be wireless and does not need any electrical power to operate. You can easily charge the battery and use it at least once a month. The vacuum cleaner fits into one hand and can be used for computers, laptops, and other machines.
Caution: Do not use a car vacuum cleaner or else you’ll end up screwing up with the hardware!
3. Clean the Hardware Components
The only thing left to do is use the vacuum cleaner on the internal keyboard. Simply start the cleaner and use it gently on the components. Also, remove the dust from the fan for better performance.
Once you are done with the cleaner, you can also use a soft cloth and wipe the components without harming any wire. Make sure you do not use your regular vacuum cleaner since it is very powerful and the nozzle is too big to clean the edges of the laptops.
Once done, you can review the results yourself, and see if it looks better. Assemble all the parts and screw them back on.
If you are unable to open your laptops, you can simply use the cleaner and blow air from the cooling vents on your laptops. Or from the ports provided on the side panel of the laptop. It will not entirely clean it but work just fine.
Verdict
Hopefully, cleaning your laptop is about to get a lot easier with these tips. While some users like to hand it over to the technician, with these steps, you can do it all by yourself. Before doing anything, always remove the external hardware and switch it off first. Some of the best products have been mentioned for cleaning the laptop’s internals as well as external components. They have been battle-tested and proven to work.
Never use water to clean your screen or keyboard. It may seem like a good idea, but water leaves marks on an LCD screen and you wouldn’t want that.
If you are not comfortable with using liquids or a spray, a simple cloth will still work. Also, try to clean your laptop more often so that it can last longer than usual.
If you want to know how to extend your laptop life even further we wrote some good advice on our site!