Easy Laptop Cleaning Tips 

Easy laptop cleaning tips. Ideally, laptop cleaning to remove bacteria and dust that can cause it to malfunction should be done weekly. Laptops are a modern-day godsend. You can use them anywhere.

That is also the germy downside to notebooks - they have plenty of opportunities to pick up unsavory characters at every stop: sticky restaurant tables, icky kitchen counters, and unwashed bed linens.

Those questionable surfaces usually only touch the laptop's outer case. But think about where your hands have been before touching the keyboard! Here are four easy laptop cleaning tips to clear things up.

1.  Power Off, Wipe Off

Before cleaning, turn off and unplug the laptop to ensure it is fully powered down. Electrical currents and liquids don't mix well.

Mix a couple of drops of liquid dish soap into 2 cups of warm water for an exterior laptop cleaning solution. Dip a microfiber cloth or other lint-free cloth in the soapy mix, then wring until it is just damp, not dripping. 

With the laptop closed, wipe down the exterior (not the screen yet—that's Step 3) with a cloth. 

If the case's bottom is grimy, use a melamine sponge (such as Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) to scour away surface dirt. 
Rinse the cloth, wring until damp, and then wipe the laptop case again.

Allow the case to dry completely in the air before turning it on and returning to business.

While cleaning your laptop, avoid getting moisture in any openings. Do not spray liquid directly on your laptop.
Don't use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or hydrogen peroxide cleaners that might damage the finish.

2.  Hit the Keyboard

The keyboard is the germiest and dirtiest part of your computer. If you regularly eat over your keyboard, it has picked up some crumbs along the way. Laptop snackers should make cleaning a priority.

Skipping cleaning can lead to frequent illnesses from thriving surface bacteria and diminish your computer's performance. To tackle keyboard cleaning, dust first by wiping it with a microfiber cloth. 

Then, hold the keyboard upside down over a trash can and gently shake loose any crumbs. Using compressed air, spray the keyboard to remove any leftover crumbs or dust lurking under the keys.

Finally, go over the keys with a cotton swab to get inside the crevices and remove any dirt or gunk hiding there.
If your keyboard is dirty, mix a 50-50 laptop cleaning solution of half isopropyl alcohol and half water.

Swab each key using a light circular motion. (Spot-test the solution first to ensure the alcohol doesn't remove any keyboard letterings.)

The alcohol should help cut through the oils left by your fingers, killing any bacteria. Isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly, so no drying is needed.

3. Clean and Polish the Computer Screen

It's time to give some of our laptop cleaning attention to the screen. Scratches, finger grease, dust, chemicals, and ultraviolet (UV) light can affect your screen's performance and clarity.

The surface is coated to make cleaning easier, so you won't need to rub hard to remove fingerprints or oily spots. To clean LCD screens, use a product tailor-made for the job, sprayed lightly onto a microfiber cloth.

For touchscreens, use water or an eyeglass cleaner, also applied to a cloth. Wipe the screen with the dampened cloth from top to bottom to remove dust, dirt, and grime.

Important reminders when cleaning any electronic screen:

• Don't use a paper towel to wipe the screen. These and other abrasive materials can cause scratches and leave lint on the screen's surface.

• Never spray anything directly on the screen itself. Liquid drips can get inside the display and cause damage.

• Don't use any type of window cleaner, ammonia, vinegar, or isopropyl alcohol on the screen. These could cause irreversible damage.

4.  Final Easy Laptop Cleaning Tips - Checks Ports and Vents