How to completely clean your laptop

Laptops are such versatile and portable devices that most people don’t take the time to check whether they need cleaning. After months or years of use, a product that has never been properly cleaned can start to malfunction.

With that in mind, we’ve decided to put together some tips to help you clean your laptop from the inside out and at home. Check out more information below.

Pay special attention to connection ports

Connection ports are the openings on the side and back of your laptop where you connect different types of cables and plugs. Over time, these places can accumulate dust and debris –– especially if your laptop is constantly being transported in and out of bags and cases.

But how do you clean the ports correctly? The first tip is: do not use sharp, hard or metal objects. Using inappropriate tools and methods can damage the ports and, depending on the model of your notebook, repairing this part of the hardware can be quite expensive.

To clean properly, the ideal is to use a double-ended pen: on one side, there is a rubber tip to remove debris, and on the other, bristles to remove dust.

Use compressed air

Compressed air is extremely useful because it allows for effective cleaning without direct contact with surfaces – which is very effective when it comes to removing dirt from fragile parts. In addition, it also helps to clean hard-to-reach areas, such as built-in fans or small spaces within the hardware system.

It is used to clean keyboards, connection ports, air vents, and the hardware system in general.

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Remove debris and oil from the keyboard

A laptop keyboard is a perfect place for food debris, dirt, dust, hair and traces of oil from the skin on your fingers and hands to accumulate.

For a thorough cleaning, you can start with compressed air, then use a suitable brush with soft bristles, then spray a little isopropyl alcohol on a microfiber cloth to gently clean the keys and remove surface oils.

Don't forget the screen

Cleaning your screen is very simple: use a microfiber cloth and a little isopropyl alcohol or screen cleaner. Spray the cleaner onto the cloth and gently wipe the screen, without applying too much pressure or rubbing hard.