Clean Your Computer

Cleaning the Outside

• Best to do this with the mouse disconnected or the computer turned off.
• Clean the outside of the mouse and its cable with a paper towel and some spray cleaner. Baby wipes work really well too.
• If you have an optical mouse (little light on the bottom, no roller ball), then you are done! If you have a mouse with a roller ball, then follow the rest of these directions.
• Remove the bottom cover of the mouse. To do this examine the bottom of the mouse to see which direction the mouse cover should be rotated. Place two fingers on the mouse cover and push the direction of the arrows.
• Once the cover has rotated, the bottom should fall off including the mouse ball. If this does not occur attempt to shake the mouse gently.
• Once the bottom cover and the ball are removed you should be able to see three rollers located within the mouse. Use a cotton swab (dabbed in alcohol), your finger, and/or fingernail and move in a horizontal direction of the rollers.
• Clean and dry the mouse ball.
• Once you have removed as much dirt and hair as possible place the ball back within the mouse and place the cover back on.

• Best to do this with the keyboard disconnected or the computer turned off.
• Method #1: Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it over a trashcan.
• Method #2: Use a can of compressed air. While holding the keyboard up on its side (so that the blown stuff doesn't just float right back down in it!), aim the air between the keys and blow away all of the dust and debris over a trashcan.
• Keys and frame can be cleaned by using a papertowel that has been pre-sprayed with something like 409; you can also use cotton swabs dipped in alcohol for the hard to reach places.

• Best to do this with the monitor disconnected or the computer turned off.
• Glass Screens (the big bulky CRT monitors!): Most monitor screens can be cleaned with ordinary household glass cleaner like Windex.
• Flat Panels: However, if you have a flat panel with a soft surface, please instead use a feather duster to remove dust and DO NOT press or apply any pressure to the display area of your screen.
• Be sure to remove power from the monitor and spray the cleaner onto a lint free cloth so the fluid doesn't leak into the electrical components inside the monitor. Wipe 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 on fire.
  

• Use a product like 409 or Fantastik to wipe off the outside of your computer and monitor cases. Remove dirt and grime from area around disk and CD drives.

• Best to do this with the monitor disconnected or the computer turned off.
• Now is the time to straighten out those cables! Untangle and re-organize your cables (if you can get to them) and clean out those areas.
• Wipe down cables (as needed) with paper towels pre-sprayed with 409 or other spray cleaner. Baby wipes work great as well.