How to Clean Electronics

Cleaning electronic equipment doesn't just keep your components looking good, but ensures these fragile and likely expensive pieces run properly and efficiently. Because of their delicate nature, a small amount of dust or dirt can be detrimental to a piece of electronics life span. Here are some tips on keeping your electronics clean and dust-free.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electrostatic cloth, canned air, small vacuum

Tips on Cleaning Electronics

1. Before taking any cleaning product or tool to remove dirt or dust, always check your owner's manual for any specific instructions on cleaning. Some items may be able to withstand chemicals while others, like a plasma TV, may be ruined by using the wrong procedure for cleaning. Owners manuals are always a good place to start when deciding how to clean a piece of electronics equipment.

2. For larger pieces of electronics, like a computer CPU, using a vacuum's hand attachment can remove almost all visible dust. Be sure to remove dust and debris from any vents, fans or other openings as trespassing particles can be damaging.

3. Smaller electronics, such as cell phones, should be wiped with a dry, electrostatic cloth. If the item is stained, a slightly water dampened cloth may be used to remove dirt or dust. Be sure the cloth is only slightly dampened as electronics should never be exposed to much moisture.

4. In what seems like a total contradiction to the above, many IT professionals advise using a dishwasher to clean computer keyboards. To clean using this method, unplug the keyboard from the computer and place on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run dishwasher on regular cycle without detergent. Allow keyboard to fully dry (12-24 hours). This is especially helpful if a liquid or other item is spilled onto the keyboard.

5. Clean your mouse or home telephones using a cotton ball or swab and white vinegar. Not only does the vinegar cut through dirt and grime, but it also disinfects and kills bacteria, too. Don't forget to clean the inside of your mouse, too, if you're using a trackball mouse. Optical mice don't contain track balls.

Tips & Warnings

• Always keep smaller electronics in a protective case to minimize the amount of dirt and dust they are exposed to.
• When cleaning DVD's or CD's, always clean in a motion that follows the curve of the disc. Scrubbing in a circular motion can leave tiny scratches and eventually ruin your disc.
• Never spray cleaners directly onto a LCD computer or television screen, as the cleaner may enter other openings and cause damage to the equipment.