dust Archives

Get rid of the paper towels - 3 better ways to clean screens and TVs

When the sun hits your TV or monitor just right, you can see hundreds of tiny scratches left over from the last time you cleaned it.

That’s because you used paper towels. They’re great for picking up spills, but the abrasive surface scratches and damages the panel on monitors, TVs, and even phones. Paper towels also leave little scraps of lint behind. Tap or click here for steps to deep clean your phone.

Cleaning your screen should be done with care, especially if you want to preserve your TV for as long as possible. These three methods protect your screens and keep them cleaner than paper towels ever will.

1. Use microfiber rags to clean the surface of your screens

Microfiber cleaning cloths are antimicrobial and use up to 95% less water and chemicals than paper towels or cotton cleaning cloths.

One big problem with traditional cleaning cloths and paper towels is that they need to be saturated before they’re helpful. That leaves streaks and residue and creates waste.

Microfiber rags pick up more dirt and dust than other methods and don’t degrade with disinfectants or all-purpose cleaners (cotton rags get very raggedy after a while).

We prefer AIDEA’s 50-pack of microfiber rags. You’ll quickly find uses for these all over the house and get three colors to designate them for specific purposes.

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How to get the most out of your microfiber rags

Use them dry to pick up dust, then soak them to clean them.
You can use microfiber rags with white distilled vinegar to disinfect and sanitize surfaces (if you don’t mind the smell).
Keep in mind that some microfiber cloths have fluffy and flat sides. The fluffy side is best for picking up dust, while the flat, scrubby side is best for removing stuck-on dirt.
They’re simple to rinse but also need to be cleaned in the washing machine from time to time.
Microfiber rags are also usable on car bodies, wooden surfaces and more.

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Storage 101: How to keep your USB drives and external hard drives safe for years to come

We all need more storage nowadays, but buying an external hard drive or USB drive isn’t as simple as just “plug and play.” You have to keep your data secure by maintaining the hardware itself. Far too few people safeguard their hardware, leading to data loss and corruption.

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What’s that smell?

🤧 Don’t worry, you might need a few of these.

Filter out dust, dander and smells with an air purifier (38% off).
This handy multi-surface cleaner (22% off) steams away gross stuff.
Keep your fridge fresh with a deodorizer (11% off) that can last 10 years.
Sweaty shoes? These odor absorbers ($11) soak up that stink.
Wash up to 64 loads with scent-free laundry sheets ($15.29).
Breathe and grab a six-pack of shower steamers (15% off).

💐 Shop my Mother’s Day Ultimate Gift List now. You’ll find the perfect gift for the special person in your life.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🖨️ Ink outside the box: Dust can cause unexpected problems with your printer. Open the paper trays, remove any paper and use a handheld vac to suck up the dust. You can also blow it out with compressed air.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Get cash for your broken gadgets

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Got old gadgets just collecting dust? You can turn them into Amazon gift cards, and the best part — they don’t even have to work!

📱 Need a tough phone or tablet? Samsung just announced the rugged Galaxy XCover7 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro. They’re water- and dust-resistant and can survive drops from up to 1.5 meters (that’s 5 feet for people like me who never understood the metric system). As for performance, both run the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 with 6GB RAM. Oh, and the batteries are removable. Pricing is still TBA.

$800 million

The estimated value of unsold Cybertrucks collecting dust on Tesla lots. With over 10,000 cars sitting in dealer inventory, the stainless-steel behemoth is shaping up to be less “futuristic tank” and more “Elon’s very expensive parking lot decor.” Turns out the PS1-looking fever dream isn’t exactly America’s sweetheart.

🤳 Blurry photos? If tapping to focus doesn’t help, it might be time to clean your lens. Seriously, your phone spends all day in your pocket picking up dust and fingerprints that can ruin your pics. The fix? Not your T-shirt. Use a gentle microfiber cloth. Here’s a cheap one for $7 with cleaning fluid.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Is your iPhone speaker too quiet? The likely culprit will gross you out

What’s dirtier — your phone or toilet? The answer probably won’t surprise you. Your gadgets get constant use, and this adds to the grime. Here are the top five dirtiest devices.

Apart from spreading germs and turning your stomach, a dirty phone can cause you to question your hearing. We’ll explain below.

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15 smart buys to get a jump start on spring cleaning

Amazon

Did you know simple spring cleaning has been linked to a stronger immune system? Removing all that dust and dirt can make a world of difference. It’s also a great way to get rid of all that clutter in your home.

Some believe the idea of spring cleaning comes from the Persian New Year, which falls on the first day of spring. The Persian New Year, Khaneh tekani, translates to “shaking the house.”

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Another one fights the dust

👇 Here’s your go-to team for keeping things spotless and sane.

This gooey dust gel cleaner ($7) gets those crumb-filled crevices.
Grab a small sink plunger (12% off ) that really packs a punch.
Can’t reach it? This microfiber duster ($26) extends over 8 feet.
Keep your cleaning stuff out of the way with a wall mount ($17).
Over 33K folks gave this screen cleaner (21% off) five stars on Amazon.

⚡ Germ-zap: Parents, check out a mini UV case (5% off) that sanitizes pacifiers in just 59 seconds.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Affordable portables

🧳 You’ve got places to go. My picks are built to come along for the ride.

Kick back, relax and save on a folding camping chair (14% off).
Take a quick rinse anywhere with a portable shower (20% off).
This handy 3-in-1 vacuum (43% off) can also dust and pump air.
Charge up with the sunshine with a solar power bank (20% off).
Tiny screen? Grab an extra monitor (33% off) to double your real estate.

🐶 Fur real safety: Snag a belt leash (15% off) to keep your pup strapped in while you’re on the road.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

You deserve a nice ride

🏁 Look inside your car. It needs a little TLC, right? Yeah, I thought so.

This tiny cordless car vacuum (38% off) charges by USB.
A nice dust brush (29% off) tackles the fuzz on your dashboard and vents.
Hang your bags instead of tossing them on the floor with these $5 headrest hooks.
These cupholder coasters can catch coffee or anything else that drips.
Washable cloth garbage bags for $8 keep trash off the floor.

⭐ Laundry sheets are the best. They’re 19% off, so now’s the time to see if you prefer them over the heavy jugs of liquid and pods, too.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.