Tip of the Week: A Clean Computer is an Effective Computer

Just like any other piece of machinery or appliance in your household or office, your computer will need regular cleaning to keep it in proper working order. To help you do this, we’ve put together three helpful tips you can use while you’re cleaning your devices. And, of course, if you’re ever uncomfortable doing any of these, we always recommend leaving the work to the professionals, too.

For the most part, we’re going to avoid taking apart any of your computer’s innards with this guide, so if you want a more in-depth review of how to go about cleaning the insides of your computer, well, there are plenty of them out there. Just know that we don’t recommend doing this unless you have a working knowledge of computer components and hardware.

Before we get started, we recommend you have the following on hand:

• A microfibre cloth for wiping down surfaces and screens
• Compressed air to clean out vents and other internal components
• Tools, in case you need to open your computer case (ask us if you’re worried about doing this yourself)

Also, unplug your computer and make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area.

Cleaning Your Monitors

Wiping down monitors doesn’t have to be challenging or difficult, but we will caution that it does matter what you use to wipe away those smudges. Do not use any corrosive substances. Instead, use a little bit of distilled water, but only a little bit. First, wipe away the dust with your microfibre cloth. Then you can proceed to wipe down the screen using a slightly-dampened cloth.

Clear Dust from the Insides and the Fans

You might notice dust that accumulates around your computer fans and inside your computer. This will naturally get in the way of air circulation, and with that comes additional heat which could damage internal components. You can use a can of compressed air to blow away excess dust. Just be sure not to blow it into the computer case itself. Otherwise, you’re trading one problem for another.

If you can remove the side panes of your device, you can carefully use compressed air to remove dust and debris from inside your computer case, being very careful not to get too close to or damage your device’s components.

Clean the Keyboard

Ah, yes, the keyboard—the thing your fingers touch every single day for at least eight hours a day. You can imagine the amount of dirt and grime that gets caught on and under the keys, especially if you regularly eat at the computer during your lunch break. You can easily pop off the keys and clean underneath them with a cotton swab, but if that sounds too involved, you shake your keyboard out and marvel at how gross everything that comes out of it truly is.

Don’t Forget Cleaning Your Computer Digitally, Too

If you need a hand with cleaning your device, either physically or digitally, BNMC has got you covered. Our technicians can help to make your computer clean on both the inside and the outside. To learn more, contact us at (978) 482-2020 today.