CLEANING OUTSIDE THE CASE:
First use the vacuum cleaner to clean any areas of accumulated dirt and dust from the case cover. In particular, check the fan on the back of the computer. As this fan draws air in to cool the internal components, it also draws in any impurities that are in the air – dust, pet hair, etc. A lot of the dirt will be drawn right into the computer itself, but much of it will also accumulate on the fan. If the fan becomes covered with dirt and dust, air flow will be restricted and overheating problems and/or component failure can result. Use your vacuum to clean all of the outside air vents and crevices of the computer. You can use a regular electric vacuum cleaner on the outside of the case if you wish, but never on the inside.
Once the loose dust has been vacuumed, use a mild cleaner and soft cloth to clean any remaining grime, dirt, or stains from the case cover. Then remove the cover, and set it aside.
CLEANING INSIDE THE CASE:
First, be sure to take ESD precautions when cleaning inside the case. For this task, it is often recommended to use compressed air rather than a vacuum cleaner. If you do use a vacuum cleaner, be careful to keep the nozzle a couple of inches away from the components on the motherboard so as not to accidentally suck anything (such as jumpers) into the vacuum cleaner. If you use compressed air, wear a mask and be careful not to breathe in the dust particles as they are expelled from the case.
Clean the power supply (but never disassemble it), especially in and around the air flow slots. The power supply, ribbon cables, and motherboard components are all likely to collect dust and grime. Be sure to clean any fans and heat sinks, as the fan blades and heat sink fins tend to collect a lot of dust and hair.
CLEANING THE CRT MONITOR:
A word of caution: NEVER attempt disassemble the monitor. The high voltages inside (even when the monitor is turned off) can kill you. Make sure power to the monitor is disconnected.
Due to its strong electromagnetic field, the CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor attracts a lot of dust. First, vacuum the dust that has settled on top of the monitor case, particularly around the air vents. In this case, it’s better to use a vacuum rather than compressed air, as you don’t want to blow dust into the monitor housing.
Any remaining grime on the monitor housing can be removed with a little cleaning solution on a cloth. Be sure to spray the solution onto the cloth first, not directly onto the monitor. The glass screen can be cleaned with ordinary glass cleaner (if there is no anti-glare protective coating), or with a soft cloth dampened with water.
CLEANING THE LCD MONITOR:
To clean the screen of the flat-screen, or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, use a 50-50 solution of distilled water and alcohol in a spray bottle (spray the cloth, not the screen). Apply only light pressure to the screen as you clean, as the display can be easily scratched or damaged.
CLEANING THE KEYBOARD
The computer keyboard may need more frequent cleaning than the rest of the system, as it becomes soiled with dust, hair, and food crumbs. Disconnect the keyboard from the computer (make sure your system is turned off first), turn the keyboard upside down, and shake out the loose debris. Then use compressed air to clean it more thoroughly, aiming between the keys. If you use a portable vacuum for this step, make sure there are no loose keys that can pop off and be sucked into the vacuum.
In the event that you spill some liquid onto the keyboard, act quickly to power down the computer and disconnect the keyboard. Shake out as much liquid as you can, and use a cloth to clean out what you can reach. Leave the keyboard upside down and let it dry for at least a full day.
A keyboard can be destroyed when liquid is spilled into it and makes contact with the circuit board inside. Soda and other sugary drinks can also cause the keys to stick; in this event, the best course of action is to buy a new keyboard.
You can protect your keyboard from dust, crumbs, and spills by purchasing a keyboard ‘skin’. With the manufacturer name and model of your keyboard, you can order a skin that is designed to fit snuggly right over the keyboard and individual keys. These are readily available online.
Because keyboards are often used in shared environments, such as schools and offices, they should be disinfected to prevent the spread of germs. Spray some alcohol on a cloth and clean the keyboard thoroughly. Use a cotton or foam tipped swab dipped lightly in alcohol to clean between the keys.