Cleaning Tips

If you're not ready to give us the honor just yet, we highly encourage you, or a trusted acquaintance, to give your electronic devices regular cleanings. The basic concept is pretty self explanatory on the surface; you remove the dirt. But cleaning a PC is a little different from wiping down a shower. One small mistake could potentially render your machine inoperable. You need proper knowledge and tools to ensure thorough cleaning without harming the device. Keep in mind that the information presented here is by no means comprehensive. Make sure you do ample research and feel confident before attempting to clean your computer. There are numerous articles and videos online that can point you in the right direction, and below are a few tips to get you started.

#1. Unplug

NEVER work inside a computer while it is powered on. Really, even if you're only spraying for dust, the first step is always to power down and unplug your device. Computers have few moving parts, but it's best not to spray those parts with compressed air while they are in motion. It's also a good habit for safety purposes to always unplug even if you're not accessing inside the case. In addition, as mentioned on our FAQ page, never open or insert anything into the power supply. Damage to the PSU (power supply unit) can create a risk of electric shock or even a fire. Also, the capacitors found inside are able to retain an electric charge even with the device powered down. Some are large enough to be harmful if touched by a tool or body part. Normally there are circuits that are designed to discharge them, eliminating the danger. But there is no way to verify that these circuits are in place and functioning properly. So while it would probably be ok to access the PSU, or just stick cotton swabs inside and give it a good scrub, it's just not worth the risk and should NEVER be attempted. It's ok to spray it out with canned air, but it's normal for a small amount of dust to remain even after cleaning.

#2. Static

Though secondary to user safety, it is still important to protect the device itself. One way is to discharge static buildup with an anti-static wrist strap. Ever touch a doorknob and get zapped by a little jolt of electricity? If static from your body does that to your computer it can cause severe damage. The circuitry runs on extremely low voltages, so it doesn't take much to overpower and destroy some components. Luckily some clever folks invented a device that discharges this static build-up. One side makes contact with your body and the other end is clipped to something metallic and large enough to absorb the excess electrons, usually your computer's case or frame.

These devices are a vital tool for preventing damage to your PC. Many people say it works just as well to keep one hand on the computer's metal casing, and it does. This is offers a path from your body to something other than the computer's circuit boards, but for anything more than simple dusting you're going to need both your hands. These wrist straps are cheap, easy to find, and easy to use. You really shouldn't do any work on electronics without one. Speaking of static electricity, you might notice a handheld vacuum in the list of supplies below. This is strictly to clean up after dusting. It is a very bad idea to vacuum your electronic devices directly. The same principle of static discharge applies to objects as well as people, and the fast moving air passing by the plastic tip of your vacuum generates a lot of static electricity. You might see tutorials where people insert the end of a vacuum into their computer to get all that tricky dust. They'll tell you it's fine. It's not. You might get away with it, maybe for years. But it's another instance of the benefit not justifying the risk. When you're replacing your motherboard you'll wish you'd just sprayed it out and vacuumed the floor after, trust me.

#3. Dusting

I keep mentioning "dusting" and "spraying", what exactly does this mean? Unlike traditional dusting, computers are cleaned using compressed air. It's readily available at department and office supply stores and easy to use. Just point and spray. Try not to get too close to components in order to avoid damaging or dislodging them, and avoid turning the can upside down as this can cause freezing. Most people are already well acquainted with this product, but one little known important tip is to keep your fans from spinning. They're designed to spin at certain speeds and the pressurized air can spin them too fast, possibly causing damage. Also, since electricity is converted into physical motion by the fan, it's actually possible for this to work in the opposite direction.

The physical motion of the non-powered fan can generate a current in the fan's circuit which can also be harmful. You can tape or tie it down but the easiest way is to just hold it with your free hand (while wearing your anti-static device of course). Canned air is easy to find but can be somewhat pricey, if you have lots of computers or require frequent cleanings consider buying a handheld compressor made specifically for this purpose.

#4. Cotton swabs (Q-tips)

I'll include a short list of useful supplies down below, but first a brief mention of cotton swabs. Some say to never use cotton swabs in your computer and others swear by them. The reasons are that they're particularly convenient for scrubbing dust from those hard to reach places, but their tendency to leave small fibers behind can be problematic. I encourage you to read up and try them out and decide for yourself. Personally my preference is to use cotton swabs but to dip them in isopropyl alcohol first. This prevents fibers from coming off and increases cleaning power simultaneously. Isopropyl alcohol is the preferred fluid for cleaning electronics because moisture can be very destructive and rubbing alcohol evaporates far more quickly than water. Speaking of which, that 'wet phone in rice' trick doesn't work. The rice does little to absorb moisture and particles of it can get lodged in the phone ports; it's worse than nothing. Instead try a desiccant, or just be patient and let your phone fully dry before powering back on. If you choose to try the cotton swab in alcohol method for removing caked on dirt, be sure to squeeze all the liquid out of the swab with a paper towel first. We still want to avoid any moisture on our components and a damp swab does a fine job.

#5. Cleaning supplies

Before attempting to clean a computer do a little research on the substances you'll use and the materials you'll be working with. Many common cleaners aren't appropriate for electronics, and some devices have special coatings that can be easily damaged. For instance, never use an ammonia based cleaner (such as Windex) on a tv or computer screen; it can strip the anti-glare coating. Earlier I mentioned that rubbing alcohol is the preferred cleaner for electronics. Some articles suggest diluting it with distilled water to clean the outside of your devices. I prefer cleaning agents specifically designed for the task. There are a variety of types, both sprays and wipes available. They also make special cleaners for monitor and tv screens. Whatever you decide to use, keep moisture away from the devices and only spray cleaners onto paper towels or cleaning cloths rather than directly on your device. To protect screens, eliminate lint, and avoid scratching finishes, use microfiber cloth and/or soft lint-free rags.

Here is a brief list of supplies we reccomend for cleaning electronics:

Anti-static wrist strap (explained above)
Canned air (or mini compressor)
Electronic cleaning wipes

Rubbing alcohol
Cotton swabs (readily available)
Large cleaning swabs (these are specially ordered)

Microfiber cloth (for screens)
Lint free rags
Headlamp
Mini screwdriver set (with philps, flat, hex, star, and square bits)

Screen cleaner (spray)
Mini brush set
Keyboard kit (brushes, scraper, and polisher)
Handheld vacuum

As stated, electronics are delicate expensive devices that must be treated with care. So be sure to do your due diligence before attempting to service one. If you have any specific questions that you can't seem to find answers to, feel free to reach out using the contact form on our BOOK NOW page and we'll be happy to help if we can. We are at your service!