You know your laptop is dirty. You can see dust and dirt on the keyboard. You can see this ring of oil from your skin in the middle of the touchpad. Using a freshly cleaned laptop is almost as good as buying a new one. The keys are clean, there are no smudges on the screen, and you’ll fall in love with a 3-year-old MacBook all over again. This is also a useful skill when buying or selling used cars since the previous owner didn’t leave them in perfect condition.
Start with the inside
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to start cleaning the inside of your computer. Getting rid of keyboard grime can be tempting, but Kerr said you must start with the bad stuff inside: “Compressed air removes particles, cat hair and all, so if you’ve already cleaned the screen and case, you’ll have to clean them again after using air.” Start by blowing the dust off and get out.
If you’ve taken good care of your laptop, you don’t need to open it at this stage. Simply turn it off, remove it, and remove the battery (or it can be easily removed). Take the compressed air, move the valve away from the computer to remove any condensation that has formed, then blow the air through all the cracks and crevices: keyboard, ventilation, and even USB ports. Do this with short bursts because if you do this for too long, moisture can build up inside the computer and damage the fans, causing them to spin faster.
If you are lucky, you may not see much change afterward. The goal is to prevent dust buildup over time, which can cause your computer to overheat. If lint appears in the air, it’s been a long time since you’ve cleaned it. In this case, it’s best to open it up (if it’s free) or take it to a repair shop for a thorough cleaning. Smokers and pet owners should be very careful to clean the interior regularly, as dust, smoke, hair, and other particles accumulate quickly.
Clean your ports and ventilation slots
The first step you should take is to clean the inside of the laptop you want to turn off and remove the battery. If you have stored it properly, you don’t need to open it, just use the compressed air gun from the outside. This removes dirt and hair that may stick to the keyboard or screen, so if you are new to this, you may need to clean it twice.
When you are ready to begin, take a can of compressed air and blow it out of the computer first to remove any buildup. Then point the nozzle of the sprayer and spray it into all the channels, from the board to the vents to the ports on your laptop, from the USB slots to HDMI or SD. Do this in short, slow bursts, as if you spray from the front, you will spread dust and dirt inside the laptop or its parts.
Cleans the exterior
After that comes the transformation of the outside. To do this, you should avoid using cleaning directly on the computer, in this case alcohol, which we told you about earlier. Instead, start by using a few drops of isopropyl alcohol on a microfiber cloth and then continue cleaning the surface. It is best to start with the outer casing and base of the computer. They are designed to withstand shock and pressure, so here you will be able to use less force when wiping the cloth if you see that dirt has taken root. However, try to maintain power regularly and in the right way, and don’t overdo it.
When the outside of the laptop is ready, do the same with the sides. Remember not to use alcohol or any cleaning products directly on the exterior. Some products may not do anything, but it is safe to place them on a cloth first and then wipe them with the cloth.