Now here's a scary thought from our friends at Tech Republic (www.techrepublic.com): "I'm no doctor but I read a report the other day that the common keyboard and or mouse has more germs on it than any toilet in a bar on Friday night."
Well, since it's finally spring - and it's even starting to look like it! - that statement alone convinces me it's time for a little spring cleaning.
Before we get to the dirty part of the chore, first be sure you've cleaned out your data! If you don't back up your files on a regular basis, or haven't done so in a long time, this is a good time to do just that. Get rid of old, unnecessary programs and files, and make sure you have a backup copy of all of your important data files.
If nothing else, create a folder called "Data" on your C drive, put all your data files in there, and then copy it. A good way to do this is to purchase an external (usually USB connection) hard drive (for less than $100, you can get about 60 gigabytes of storage, and the prices are changing all the time), then back up your files to this drive. Some drives come complete with one button back up, but it's not that difficult to periodically copy that data file to another drive.
This, of course, will not protect your programs and settings. You might consider using something like Ghost, which will actually duplicate your hard drive, and allow you to restore it - to a new hard drive, for example - should your system crash irrecoverably.
Now, on to the dust and scrub portion of the job.
Keeping your computer clean is, of course, an everyday job. I keep a can of compressed air around, and I am generally pretty good about using it to clean dust and debris off my keyboard, and other external areas of my computer. And while I do have Lysol sanitizing wipes on hand, I'm not so good about using them to de-germ my mouse and keyboard.
And I'm not so good at giving my computer a couple of regular complete cleanings each year. But when I think about it, I've had a few colds this season. And other people do use my computer from time to time. So setting up and maintaining a regular clean-and-sanitize program makes a lot of sense.
So, what steps should you take to properly clean your computer?
First, pull out the owners manuals, if you still have them, or go online to find electronic copies. In them, you may find specific instructions about cleaning your hardware - particularly your monitor. Many monitors are coated with anti-glare material, and will have to be cleaned exactly as the manual specifies to avoid damaging that coating.
Now, assemble your supplies. You will need some, or all, of the following:
- A mild solution of soapy water
- Glass cleaner
- Monitor cleaner or wipes
- Sanitizing wipes
- Paper towels
- Soft, lint-free rags or cloths (old t-shirts work well)
- Compressed air
- Q-Tips
Before you begin, turn off the computer - unplug it to be extra safe - and let it cool down.
Now, I begin by dusting my monitor thoroughly with the compressed air. This gets dust and debris out of small cracks and crevices that a dust cloth will not reach. And we all know that electronics attract dust like nothing else in your home.
Next, wipe the monitor casing down with a rag or paper towel lightly dipped in the soapy water. You'll want a damp cloth, not a wet one. Don't using this solution on the screen. For that, you will need either glass cleaner, or whatever the manufacturer recommends. Do follow the manufacturer's recommendations!
Now, use the compressed air on the keyboard. I like to tip mine on its side, and push the debris down and out of the keyboard. It's amazing and even a little distressing how much gunk can gather inside your keyboard with a few weeks or months of use! You can then wipe the keyboard down with the soapy water. I use Lysol wipes here, as this will be one of the primary areas of germ collection. Don't forget to wipe down the cable.
Follow the same basic process for the mouse. If you have an optical mouse, simply dust and wipe down the mouse, being careful to get into crevices. If you have a roller-ball mouse, you should also disassemble the ball housing (usually by turning the casing to one side or the other, and lifting it out. This frees the mouse ball, which can then be removed and cleaned. You can also now clean inside the housing - you might want to use a Q-Tip. This is another item where a lot of dust, debris and germs will collect.
You won't need to perform the next step as often, maybe one a quarter, a couple of times a year at most, depending on how dusty your environment is.
Open the computer tower case, following the specific instructions for your computer. Set aside the removed panels. (Most pros will recommend discharging any static electricity buildup before opening the computer case.) Using your compressed air, thoroughly dust the inside of the computer, being careful to move the dust and debris out of the computer casing.
Then, using your soapy water, clean the outside of the case - being careful not to leave anything damp before reassembling your computer. You can also clean your drives and drive bays, though these will not need to be cleaned often. Just be sure not to get any solutions inside the drives.
You can now reassemble your computer.
If you're ambitious, you can also clean your printer, fax machine, and scanner while you're at it. Follow specific instructions for each peripheral to avoid damaging them!
Well, since it's finally spring - and it's even starting to look like it! - that statement alone convinces me it's time for a little spring cleaning.
Before we get to the dirty part of the chore, first be sure you've cleaned out your data! If you don't back up your files on a regular basis, or haven't done so in a long time, this is a good time to do just that. Get rid of old, unnecessary programs and files, and make sure you have a backup copy of all of your important data files.
If nothing else, create a folder called "Data" on your C drive, put all your data files in there, and then copy it. A good way to do this is to purchase an external (usually USB connection) hard drive (for less than $100, you can get about 60 gigabytes of storage, and the prices are changing all the time), then back up your files to this drive. Some drives come complete with one button back up, but it's not that difficult to periodically copy that data file to another drive.
This, of course, will not protect your programs and settings. You might consider using something like Ghost, which will actually duplicate your hard drive, and allow you to restore it - to a new hard drive, for example - should your system crash irrecoverably.
Now, on to the dust and scrub portion of the job.
Keeping your computer clean is, of course, an everyday job. I keep a can of compressed air around, and I am generally pretty good about using it to clean dust and debris off my keyboard, and other external areas of my computer. And while I do have Lysol sanitizing wipes on hand, I'm not so good about using them to de-germ my mouse and keyboard.
And I'm not so good at giving my computer a couple of regular complete cleanings each year. But when I think about it, I've had a few colds this season. And other people do use my computer from time to time. So setting up and maintaining a regular clean-and-sanitize program makes a lot of sense.
So, what steps should you take to properly clean your computer?
First, pull out the owners manuals, if you still have them, or go online to find electronic copies. In them, you may find specific instructions about cleaning your hardware - particularly your monitor. Many monitors are coated with anti-glare material, and will have to be cleaned exactly as the manual specifies to avoid damaging that coating.
Now, assemble your supplies. You will need some, or all, of the following:
- A mild solution of soapy water
- Glass cleaner
- Monitor cleaner or wipes
- Sanitizing wipes
- Paper towels
- Soft, lint-free rags or cloths (old t-shirts work well)
- Compressed air
- Q-Tips
Before you begin, turn off the computer - unplug it to be extra safe - and let it cool down.
Now, I begin by dusting my monitor thoroughly with the compressed air. This gets dust and debris out of small cracks and crevices that a dust cloth will not reach. And we all know that electronics attract dust like nothing else in your home.
Next, wipe the monitor casing down with a rag or paper towel lightly dipped in the soapy water. You'll want a damp cloth, not a wet one. Don't using this solution on the screen. For that, you will need either glass cleaner, or whatever the manufacturer recommends. Do follow the manufacturer's recommendations!
Now, use the compressed air on the keyboard. I like to tip mine on its side, and push the debris down and out of the keyboard. It's amazing and even a little distressing how much gunk can gather inside your keyboard with a few weeks or months of use! You can then wipe the keyboard down with the soapy water. I use Lysol wipes here, as this will be one of the primary areas of germ collection. Don't forget to wipe down the cable.
Follow the same basic process for the mouse. If you have an optical mouse, simply dust and wipe down the mouse, being careful to get into crevices. If you have a roller-ball mouse, you should also disassemble the ball housing (usually by turning the casing to one side or the other, and lifting it out. This frees the mouse ball, which can then be removed and cleaned. You can also now clean inside the housing - you might want to use a Q-Tip. This is another item where a lot of dust, debris and germs will collect.
You won't need to perform the next step as often, maybe one a quarter, a couple of times a year at most, depending on how dusty your environment is.
Open the computer tower case, following the specific instructions for your computer. Set aside the removed panels. (Most pros will recommend discharging any static electricity buildup before opening the computer case.) Using your compressed air, thoroughly dust the inside of the computer, being careful to move the dust and debris out of the computer casing.
Then, using your soapy water, clean the outside of the case - being careful not to leave anything damp before reassembling your computer. You can also clean your drives and drive bays, though these will not need to be cleaned often. Just be sure not to get any solutions inside the drives.
You can now reassemble your computer.
If you're ambitious, you can also clean your printer, fax machine, and scanner while you're at it. Follow specific instructions for each peripheral to avoid damaging them!
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