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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

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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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