Cleaning a Computer

Computers, besides from being a necessary part of today's world, are valuable and expensive. Because of their value, it's important to keep them clean! There are to important parts of cleaning your computer: the outside and the inside.

Cleaning the outside of your computer isn't very hard as long as you know what you are doing. You do not want to spray normal cleaner on your computer or in your keyboard, as it could seep down into the inside and harm your computer. For a light cleaning, just wipe down the parts of your computer (mouse, monitor, case, keyboard, etc.) with a soft damp cloth of soapy water. If your monitor screen is dirty, you can use window cleaner on it. Try spraying it on a cloth or paper towel instead of directly on the monitor so that it doesn't harm any other parts. If you have an anti glare coating on your monitor, you need to use a special cleaner because window cleaner will damage it. Use a vacuum attachment to clean your keyboard and any other parts with crevasses. Cans of compressed air make it much easier to reach the small parts of your computer that gather dust. Be careful cleaning around ventilation holes or openings. Try to clean the mouse to your computer regularly as it gathers a lot of germs from your hands. Just use a damp, soapy, soft cloth. The ways you clean your computer might depend on the specific make and model, so make sure you check any directions that might have come with your computer before cleaning.

Cleaning the inside of your computer is more tricky than cleaning the outside. It's good to try to clean your hard drive as you go—delete documents and files that you know you don't need, keep documents organized into folders, regularly update the software (most computers have an automatic update button that you just need to click on), etc. Installing anti-virus software at the beginning should help your computer stay cleaner and safe in the long run as well. Many computers have ways to automatic disc cleanup. The exact instructions for how to do this will be based on the type of computer you have. You should be able to find more information in the "help" section on your computer or online.

Try to keep up on cleaning your computer and it will be easier to clean. Clean your computer regularly in order to get it into top condition. Your wallet will thank you later!