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I am a book addict and a paper keeper, but one thing I simply can’t stand is when I have smudge marks and crumbs all over my notebook.
The absolute worst is when you turn to sneeze but somehow manage to spray the screen. So what can you do to keep your notebook shiny and clean? Below we have some tips to make it quick and easy.
Cleaning your Computer LCD Display
Gently wipe the screen with a dry, microfiber, soft cloth. If you see a scratch mark, wipe or dust gently with the cloth. If the stain doesn’t budge moisten the cloth with a 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and water that does NOT include impurities. Or use a product such as Endust for Electronics.
Wring out the as much liquid as possible. Wipe over the screen again; be sure not to drip any liquid into the computer. Let the display dry – do not close.
Important: Rubbing Alcohol is flammable, do not use near an exposed flame or when the system is on.
Cleaning your Notebook Keyboard
First start by removing crumbs with decompressed air. Our favorite is 3M Dust Remover and it works easily to remove all the lint, dust and crumbs that are trapped under the keys. A dab of rubbing alcohol on a lint-free, soft cloth can be used to de-grime the keyboard keys. Be careful not to allow liquid drops between the keys. Allow to air dry.
Important: Never pour or spray any liquid cleaner directly on the keyboard or LCD display.
Serious Cleanups & Damage
Last year I made the fatal mistake of keeping my Starbucks right next to my BlackBerry which was right next to my laptop. The BlackBerry rang, I grabbed for it and the coffee flung ALL OVER THE KEYBOARD. My life flashed before my eyes. Avoid eating or drinking by your laptop when you can. If you must, keep it a safe distance from your precious machine.
Even the sturdiest machines cannot guarantee they will survive caramel macchiato damage- trust us. If the worst does happen, unplug immediately and dry what you can. And start praying (in between cursing) while you begin removing components to see where the liquid is and what needs to be dried – do not use a hair dryer – stick to your microfiber cloth. Keep praying (in between cursing) as you piece back together your machine.
While this article was about keeping your machine shiny and clean, may we also nag gently remind you how vitally important it is to back up your files and important data?! Clearly, we still aren’t over the spilled macchiato and the lost Dell. A moment of silence is needed…
photo credit: gomi
