Last week we took a look at doing some spring cleaning on your desktop computer. This week: other devices.
DO NOT take your notebook apart unless you know what you are doing. Notebooks can benefit from opening them up and blowing air in them to clear the dust, dirt, and other stuff out. I have, upon opening them up, when in the computer repair part of my life, found bugs, hair, animal fur, lint, dried and sticky soft drink remains, cigarette ash, etc. Cleaning there enabled the notebook to have a longer life and enhanced performance. But you should categorically not attempt opening up your notebook computer unless you are sure you know what you are doing or are willing to take a chance. It usually is not that hard, but if you touch the wrong part with a static charge it could be all over for the notebook.
When cleaning notebooks use compressed air anywhere you can reach, even in the vents. In a notebook blow in the intake vents and dust and dirt will come out the other vents. Make sure you use the compressed air only in the intake vents. If you force air in the outflow vent there is a possibility you could damage the fan motor. If you cannot determine which is intake/output, search online for your notebook’s make and model. This is not as thorough as taking it apart but it is much safer and is more effective than doing nothing.
Now for tablets and phones. When cleaning them I recommend treating them similarly to a monitor on your computer and notebook. First, check your manufacturers’ instructions on cleaning. If like most people you have lost the paper that came with it, Google for the user manual for your specific device.
Apple just came out with a big change of direction since COVID started up, regarding sanitizing their products. The change is what I have thought and done for years but never shared with others. The reason was the world at large has always said to only use distilled water on your electronics with a lint-free, optical cloth or microfiber cloth and be very careful about the fluids in any ports. I felt and practiced differently and was correct per Apple.
Recently Apple said, “Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don’t use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don’t submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don’t use on fabric or leather surfaces.” Also, do not use anything with Hydrogen Peroxide in it.
In my opinion, (only) I think a 70% isopropyl alcohol is a good disinfectant. It will not remove the touch screen coatings (oleophobic coating) on your devices and cleans very well. I will not comment on COVID; however, I have read good things about the 70% solution working well by many of the more educated.
Here are several things I should not have to mention when cleaning, but I will. Make sure your device is unplugged and turned off. Next, spray the alcohol or distilled water lightly on your cleaning cloth and wipe it on the device. Do not get the cloth so wet that the liquid flows. You DO NOT want any liquid flowing anywhere on your device. Wipe the dampness off of your device with another part of the cloth or new clean cloth after about a minute. You may use a cotton swab (Q-Tip) to clean the ports out, but make sure you get all the cotton fibers out of the port with a blast of air or a toothpick, etc.
