Computer and hardware cleaning

**scoundrel** · December 11th, 2012, 02:42 PM

A really basic and mundane discussion point, but one which we must all deal with: cleaning our computers. I find that mine attracts dirt like nothing else which I own, not even my car. After various experiments, I currently clean it with WD40 and a soft cloth; now and again I use those cotton buds on sticks to remove the worst of the cack from underneath the keys on the keyboard.

Does anyone have any suggestions for keeping your computer clean, other than not being a member of VEF?

steve906 · December 11th, 2012, 03:38 PM

To clean a keyboard, start by turning it upside down (over a wipe clean surface) and give it a good shake - sorry if this is stating the obvious!

I find baby wipes useful for cleaning most external surfaces - from the keyboard to the monitor and just about everywhere inbetween. Just don't use ones which have any kind of lotion. I am currently using a pack from the "savers" range of a well known supermarket (not sure if I am allowed to say which one) and they work just fine.
Also, for cleaning between keys, you can wrap one round the tip of a cotton bud.

On mouse/keyboard leads which hadn't been cleaned since new and were a totally different shade of grey - a squirt of Flash Febreze on a soft cloth brought them up like new.

Estreeter · December 11th, 2012, 03:50 PM

Dust Away Spray
It's just pressurized air... blows away everything.

I knock em' off from work

**knobby109** · December 11th, 2012, 04:33 PM

The dishwasher works brilliantly. It brings it up like new.
Unfortunately it doesn't work any longer but you can't have everything

If this doesn't fit the bill, give it a good going over with the vacuum cleaner using a brush attachment. Worth inverting the keyboard for this.Wipe over with baby wipes.The screen and computer itself is no problem, glass wipes for the screen and spray polish for the computer itself.

Estreeter · December 11th, 2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knobby109

The dishwasher works brilliantly. It brings it up like new.
Unfortunately it doesn't work any longer but you can't have everything

Future Mod

**billybunter** · December 11th, 2012, 05:53 PM

I vacuum my keyboard and never use WD40; it's an oil not a cleaner.

**MrInBetween** · December 11th, 2012, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billybunter

never use WD40; it's an oil not a cleaner.

Absolutely. You want something that doesn't leave a residue. I always use IPA for cleaning keys, screens, etc.

No, not that one. This one.

**Immy** · December 11th, 2012, 07:02 PM

For little bits that can't be extracted from between the keys with a good shake, try inserting the sticky edge of a Post-it note.

**billybunter** · December 11th, 2012, 07:17 PM

I'm waiting for a spunk tip.

**MrInBetween** · December 11th, 2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billybunter

I'm waiting for a spunk tip.

Thanks for sharing. But is there anything you'd like to know about cleaning computers?

December 11th, 2012, 02:42 PM	#1
scoundrel Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: England Posts: 26,267 Thanks: 162,484 Thanked 278,836 Times in 26,212 Posts	Computer and hardware cleaning A really basic and mundane discussion point, but one which we must all deal with: cleaning our computers. I find that mine attracts dirt like nothing else which I own, not even my car. After various experiments, I currently clean it with WD40 and a soft cloth; now and again I use those cotton buds on sticks to remove the worst of the cack from underneath the keys on the keyboard. Does anyone have any suggestions for keeping your computer clean, other than not being a member of VEF? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

December 11th, 2012, 03:50 PM	#3
Estreeter *Administrator* Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The 19th hole Posts: 58,189 Thanks: 450,173 Thanked 897,608 Times in 60,391 Posts	Dust Away Spray It's just pressurized air... blows away everything. I knock em' off from work __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

December 11th, 2012, 05:53 PM	#6
billybunter R.I.P. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gone But Not Forgotten Posts: 14,404 Thanks: 51,687 Thanked 252,378 Times in 14,171 Posts	I vacuum my keyboard and never use WD40; it's an oil not a cleaner. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

December 11th, 2012, 07:17 PM	#9
billybunter R.I.P. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gone But Not Forgotten Posts: 14,404 Thanks: 51,687 Thanked 252,378 Times in 14,171 Posts	I'm waiting for a spunk tip. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

December 11th, 2012, 03:38 PM	#2
steve906 Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 34 Thanks: 279 Thanked 362 Times in 35 Posts	To clean a keyboard, start by turning it upside down (over a wipe clean surface) and give it a good shake - sorry if this is stating the obvious! I find baby wipes useful for cleaning most external surfaces - from the keyboard to the monitor and just about everywhere inbetween. Just don't use ones which have any kind of lotion. I am currently using a pack from the "savers" range of a well known supermarket (not sure if I am allowed to say which one) and they work just fine. Also, for cleaning between keys, you can wrap one round the tip of a cotton bud. On mouse/keyboard leads which hadn't been cleaned since new and were a totally different shade of grey - a squirt of Flash Febreze on a soft cloth brought them up like new.

December 11th, 2012, 04:33 PM	#4
knobby109 Vintage Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,736 Thanks: 144 Thanked 14,339 Times in 1,702 Posts	The dishwasher works brilliantly. It brings it up like new. Unfortunately it doesn't work any longer but you can't have everything If this doesn't fit the bill, give it a good going over with the vacuum cleaner using a brush attachment. Worth inverting the keyboard for this.Wipe over with baby wipes.The screen and computer itself is no problem, glass wipes for the screen and spray polish for the computer itself.

December 11th, 2012, 07:02 PM	#8
Immy Maestro Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sin City Posts: 4,505 Thanks: 26,118 Thanked 83,698 Times in 4,342 Posts	For little bits that can't be extracted from between the keys with a good shake, try inserting the sticky edge of a Post-it note.