The best way to clean all the dirt and grime off your tech
Maybe you’ve set aside your stash of pandemic disinfectant wipes, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore your tech. Germs, dirt, grime, and dust settle into every nook and cranny. If you don’t do something about it, you’ll shorten your gadget’s useful life.
Before you turn to the outside, your tech could probably use a good internal cleanup. Tap or click for simple steps everyone should know to maintain a smartphone.
What about your computer? Tap or click for six smart ways to speed up your PC.
Now, let’s grab some supplies and start cleaning.
Screens
You probably have at least a few smudged screens sitting around. Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, eReader, TV, or monitor, use a microfiber cloth. They’re soft and won’t scratch your screens. Skip scratchy paper towels.
Most dirt and debris will be wiped away easily with a dry cloth. For stubborn smudges and fingerprints, lightly dampen the cloth with distilled water. Never pour or spray water directly onto a screen, and stay away from glass cleaner too. Many brands contain ammonia which can ruin the screen’s surface.
You can use a mixture of water in a 1-to-1 ratio with white vinegar or rubbing alcohol for a deeper clean. Alternatively, you can buy a specialty electronics cleaner.
Pro tip: I use pre-moistened electronic wipes. I buy a big pack from Care Touch. They’re great on smaller screens like phones, tablets, and laptops. For TVs and bigger monitors, these wipes from Weiman work like a charm.
Keyboard
Your keyboard is a mess. It’s shocking how much junk settles in between the keys and on the keys.
To get started, disconnect your keyboard if it’s plugged into the computer. If it’s wireless, switch it off. For laptop keyboards, shut the device down and disconnect the power cord. If the battery is accessible and easy to remove, do that as well.
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