Top Tips for PC Hygiene
PCs, like furniture, collect dust and grime--but unlike a chair or desk, your computer can malfunction if not cleaned periodically. Here's how.
Kirk Steers
Follow the Rules
Before you start your PC housekeeping chores, read and heed the two golden rules of computer cleaning:
Rule #1
Always turn off and unplug your PC (and, yes, your monitor too, if you're cleaning with a moist cloth) before cleaning. A wayward drop of liquid on live circuits can wreak havoc with sensitive electronics. And unplugging is critical: Some PCs run a small current through the motherboard even when the PC is turned off.
Rule #2
When applying any kind of liquid to any part of your PC, always pour the liquid onto a cloth or swab first. Never pour, spray, or drip any liquid directly onto your hardware. Liquids are the sworn enemy of delicate electronics. Rule of thumb: If you can squeeze any liquid out of a cloth, it's too moist. (If you do happen to spill liquid on the electronics, make sure they're completely dry before plugging in the device again.)
And remember, use common sense. Here are a few pearls of Darwinian wisdom gleaned from users' experiments. (And believe it or not, people actually did try these things at home.)
- Never put your laptop (or any PC) in the
dishwasher. Some very old keyboards can actually withstand a session in the
dishwasher, but it doesn't apply to new keyboards or any other PC
component.
- Never set off a bug bomb inside your PC's case to kill
ants.
- Car wax will not give your monitor screen a glossy
finish.
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