Procedure in Cleaning Hardware Components

Cleaning your computer and its components and peripherals helps keep the
in good working condition and helps keep the computers from spreading germs.

How often should I clean my computer?

The frequency of how often you should clean your computer varies on
several different factors. To help you determine how often you need to clean your
computer, we have created the chart below. Check the appropriate boxes below that
apply to your computer’s environment to determine how often it should be cleaned.
General Cleaning Tips
Below is a listing of general tips that should be taken when cleaning any of the
components or peripherals of a computer, as well as tips to help keep a computer
clean.

1. Never spray or squirt any liquid onto any computer component. If a spray is
needed, spray the liquid onto a cloth and then use that cloth to rub down the
component.
2. You can use a vacuum to clean up dirt, dust, or hair around the computer on
the outside case. However, do not use a vacuum for the inside of your
computer as it generates a lot of static electricity that can damage the internal
components of your computer. If you need to use a vacuum to clean the
inside of your computer, use a portable battery powered vacuum designed to
do this job or try using compressed air.
3. When cleaning a component or the computer, turn it off before cleaning.
4. Be cautious when using any cleaning solvents; some individuals may have
allergic reactions to chemicals in cleaning solvents and some solvents can
even damage the case. Try to always use water or a highly diluted solvent.
5. When cleaning, be careful not to accidentally adjust any knobs or controls. In
addition, when cleaning the back of the computer, if anything is plugged in,
make sure turn off the PC and unplug the power cable.
6. When cleaning fans, especially the smaller fans within a portable computer or
laptop it is suggested that you either hold the fan or place something in-
between the fan blades to prevent it from spinning. Spraying compressed air
into a fan or cleaning a fan with a vacuum may cause damage or back
voltage to be generated.
7. Never eat or drink around the computer area.

Cleaning Tools

Although many companies have created products to help improve the

process of cleaning your computer and peripherals, you can also use household

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items to clean your computers and peripherals. Below is a listing of items you may
need to use while cleaning your computer or computer peripherals.

Keep in mind that some components in your computer may only be cleaned
using a product designed for cleaning that component.

 Cloth - A cloth is the best tool used when rubbing down a component;
although paper towels can be used with most hardware, we recommend
using a cloth whenever possible. Caution: It is recommended that you use a
cloth when cleaning components such as the outside of the case, a drive,
mouse, etc. You should not use a cloth to clean any circuitry such as the
RAM or motherboard since they can generate Electro Static Discharge (ESD)
that can damage electronics.
 Water or rubbing alcohol - When moistening a cloth, it is best to use water
or rubbing alcohol. Other solvents may be bad for the plastics used with your
computer.
 Portable Vacuum - Sucking the dust, dirt, hair, cigarette particles, and other
particles out of a computer can be one of the best methods of cleaning a
computer. Over time, these items can restrict the airflow in a computer and
cause circuitry to corrode. Do not use a standard vacuum as it can generate
a lot of static electricity that can damage your computer.
 Cotton swabs - Cotton swabs moistened with rubbing alcohol or water are
good for wiping hard to reach areas in your keyboard, mouse, and other
peripherals.
 Foam swabs - It is Always better to use lint-free swabs such as foam swabs.

Procedures in Cleaning Hardware Components

Case cleaning

Why do we need to clean the computer case regularly? It keeps the

appearance of the computer looking new. During cleaning, if ventilation locations are
found, these can be cleaned helping the case keep a steady airflow to the computer,
keeping components cool and in good working condition.

Procedures:

1) The plastic case that houses the PC components can be cleaned with a lint-
free cloth that has been slightly dampened with water. For stubborn stains,
add a little household detergent to the cloth.
It is recommended that you never use a
solvent cleaner on plastics.
2) Make sure all vents and air holes are hair
and lint free by rubbing a cloth over the

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 holes and vents. It is also helpful to take a vacuum around each of the hole,
vents, and crevices on the computer. It is safe to use a standard vacuum
when cleaning the outside vents of a computer. However, if you need to clean
the inside of the computer, use a portable battery powered vacuum to prevent
static electricity.

CD-ROM, DVD, and other disc drive cleaning

Why do we need to clean disc drives? A dirty CD-ROM drive or other disc drives
can cause errors when reading discs. These read errors could cause software
installation and other issues while running the program.

Procedure: To clean the CD-ROM drive, it is recommend to purchase a CD-ROM

cleaner from your local retailer. Using a CD-ROM cleaner should sufficiently clean
the CD-ROM laser from dust, dirt, and hair.

CD and DVD disc cleaning

Why do we need to clean disc? Dirty CDs can

cause read errors or total malfunction.

Procedure: Cleaning CDs and DVDs

should be done with a cleaning kit but can also be
done with a normal clean cotton cloth or shirt.
When doing this with a clean cotton cloth or shirt,
wipe against the tracks, starting from the middle of
the CD or DVD and wiping towards the outer side
as shown in the below picture. Never wipe with the
tracks; doing so may put more scratches on the
disc.

It is recommended to use water when cleaning a CD. However, if the

substance on a CD cannot be removed using water, pure alcohol can also be used.

Hard drive cleaning

Why do we need to clean a hard drive? While hard drives cannot be cleaned
physically, they can be cleaned with various utilities on the computer to help it run
fast and more efficiently. Disk Management is one of the utilities that will prevent the
hard drive from slowing down.

Procedure: Disk Management can be accessed in the Control Panel, look for
Administrative Tools, then double-click on the Computer Management icon. In the
System and Security window, click on the Administrative Tools. In the Administrative
Tools window, double-click on the Computer Management icon.

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 When Computer Management opens, click on Disk Management on the left
side of the window, located under Storage. After a brief loading period, Disk
Management should now appear on the right side of the Computer Management
window.

Keyboard cleaning

Why do we need to clean the keyboard? The computer keyboard is often the
most germ infected item in your computer. Often, it will contain more bacteria than
your toilet seat. Cleaning it can help remove any dangerous bacteria. Dirt, dust and
hair can also build up causing the keyboard to malfunction.

Procedure: Before cleaning the keyboard, turn off the computer or unplug
the USB keyboard. Not unplugging the keyboard can result in causing other
computer problems as you may press keys that cause the computer to perform an
unwanted task.

Many people clean the keyboard by turning it upside down and shaking. A
more effective method is to use compressed air. Compressed air is pressurized air
contained in a can with a very long nozzle. Aim the air between the keys and blow
away all of the dust and debris that has gathered there. A vacuum cleaner can also
be used, but make sure the keyboard does not have loose "pop off" keys that could
possibly be drawn up by the vacuum.

After the dust, dirt, and hair had been removed spray a disinfectant onto a
cloth or use disinfectant cloths and rub each of the keys on the keyboard. As
mentioned in our general cleaning tips, never spray any liquid onto the keyboard.

LCD screen cleaning

Why do we need to clean the LCD screen? Dirt, dust, and finger prints can cause
the computer screen to project blurry images/texts.

Procedure: Unlike a computer monitor, the LCD or flat-panel display is not

made of glass, it therefore requires special cleaning procedures.

When cleaning the LCD screen, it is important to remember not to spray any
liquids onto the LCD directly. Press gently while cleaning, and do not use a paper
towel as it may cause the LCD to gather scratches.

To clean the LCD screen, use a non-rugged microfiber cloth, soft cotton cloth,
or swiffer duster. If a dry cloth does not completely clean the screen, you can apply
rubbing alcohol to the cloth and wipe the screen with the damp cloth. Rubbing
alcohol is used to clean the LCD before it leaves the factory.

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Monitor cleaning

Why do we need to clean the monitor? Dirt, dust, and fingerprints can cause the
computer screen to project blurry images/texts.

Procedure: The glass monitor screen can be cleaned with ordinary

household glass cleaner. Be sure to remove power from the monitor and spray the
cleaner onto a lint-free cloth so the fluid does not leak into the electrical components
inside the monitor. Vacuum off any dust that has settled on top of the monitor, and
make sure no books or papers have been placed on the air vents. Obstructed
monitor vents can cause the monitor to overheat or even catch fire.

Caution: We suggest using a cloth dampened with water when cleaning

monitor or a screen that is not made of glass or has any anti-glare protection on the
screen. Using ordinary household glass cleaner on special screens, especially
cleaners with ammonia can remove anti-glare protection or other special surfaces.

Other good cleaning tools

 Microfiber Towels
 Swiffer Dusters

Motherboard cleaning

Why do we need to clean the motherboard? Dusts can build up and corrode
circuitry causing various problems such as computer lockups.

Caution: When working with interior computer parts (e.g. motherboard), take
the necessary ESD precautions and avoid unplugging any cables or other
connections.

Procedure: Compressed air is recommended when cleaning the

motherboard from dust, dirt, or hair. When using compressed air, hold it in the up-
right position; otherwise, it is possible that chemicals may come out of the container
that could damage or corrode the motherboard or other component within the
computer. Also, make sure to always blow the dust or dirt away from the
motherboard, or out of the case.

Another good alternative to compressed air is to use a portable battery

powered vacuum that can effectively remove the dust, dirt, and hair from the
motherboard completely and prevent it from getting trapped within the case.
However, do not use a standard electric vacuum as it can cause a lot of static
electricity that can damage the computer. When using the vacuum, it is vital that you
stay a couple of inches away from the motherboard and all other components to
help prevent contact as well as to help prevent anything from being sucked into the

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vacuum. Ensure that you do not remove any small components with the vacuum
such as jumpers.

Optical Mouse cleaning

Why do we need to clean optical mouse regularly? A dirty mouse (mouse with a
ball) can be difficult to move. It can also cause strange mouse movement.

Procedure: To clean the optical mouse, you

must first wipe the bottom cover of the mouse. Turn
the mouse upside down to look at the lens.

If there is a smudge on the lens, gently clean

the area with a plain cotton-tipped swab. If there is
debris in the lens, gently blow the debris away from
the area. Check the surface on which you are using
the mouse.

Note: Cleaning your mouse pad with a damp cloth can also help improve a
computer's mouse movement.

Why? To help keep a mouse clean and germ free it can be helpful to clean the
mouse.

Procedure: Use a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol or warm water and rub the
surface of the mouse and each of its buttons.

Printer cleaning

With some printers it may be necessary to

clean the inside of the printer to help keep the
printer running smoothly.

Why do we need to do this? Cleaning the outside

of a printer can help keep the printer's appearance
looking good; and in the case of a printer that is Figure 157. Printer Cleaning

used by many different people, it will keep the

printer clean and free from germs.

Procedure: First, make sure to

turn off the printer before cleaning it.
Dampen a cloth with water or rubbing
alcohol and wipe the case and each of

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 Figure 158. Scanner Cleaning

the buttons or knobs on the printer. As mentioned earlier, never spray any liquid
directly onto the printer.Scanner cleaning

Why do we need to do this? Flatbed scanners commonly become dirty with

dust, fingerprints, and hair. When a scanner is dirty, the images may have
distortions. 

Procedure: Clean a flatbed scanner's surface by spraying a window cleaner onto a

paper towel or cotton cloth and wipe the glass until clean. As mentioned earlier,
never spray a liquid directly onto the component.

To clean the outside of the scanner, the same towel or cotton cloth can be
used.