Things You'll Need:
- Lint Free Cloth
- Old Toothbrush
- Compressed Air
- LCD Cleaner
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Step 1
Turn off and unplug your laptop and then wait a minute or so for it to cool off. Note that cleaning a laptop screen while the system is on, could damage the laptop.
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Step 2
To clean the laptop screen, it might be sufficient to gently wipe it with a damp lint free cloth such as an old cotton t-shirt or better yet a micro fiber wipe. Using a paper towel instead might result in scratches and leave paper lint on the screen. Make sure to wring out all excess moisture when wiping.
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Step 3
Monster alcohol free cleanerIf the screen is still dirty, consult your manufacturer for the best type of cleaning product to use with your laptop. Do not use alcohol or ammonia (such as Windex) based cleaners unless specifically recommended by your manufacturer. Note that some designated screen cleaners are alcohol based and may end up damaging your screen. For instance, matte and glossy screens have different characteristics, and what is safe for one type might not be safe for another. Monster AI ICLN-S iClean + Screen Cleaner kit (link available below) is an alcohol and ammonia free cleaner that should be safe for any laptop screen.
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Step 4
Once you have found the right cleaner, spray some on the cleaning cloth and then gently wipe the screen. Never spray the cleaner directly on the screen.
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Step 5
To clean the laptop keyboard, start by wiping it with a damp cloth. Do not use any screen or household cleaners on the keyboard. Those cleaners contain solvents that may end up removing the paint such as characters on your keys!
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Step 6
When you are wiping the keyboard, it's okay to press down a bit, or gently scrub a small area to remove any sticky doughnut residue you may have gotten on it. Don't make big swipes, however, or you risk having some keys come off.
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Step 7
Remove any crumbs or debris using a toothbrush or compressed air, and then wipe the keyboard with a damp cloth again.
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Step 8
If there was a major spill on the keyboard, the above steps will not be sufficient to get the laptop working properly again. Consult the manual whether the keys can be removed for cleaning and follow the instructions. Professional help be might required to get such an issue resolved.
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Step 9
Finally, wipe off any remaining moisture with a dry cloth and/or leave the laptop open for a little while. It's not a good idea to close the lid while some moisture remains.
Comments
veryirie said
on 4/19/2009 Practical advice to keep your laptop keyboard and screen clean; good job!
westernmom said
on 4/14/2009 Great info! I'm always afraid of cleaning my laptop screen! Thanks for writing. 5*