Restore your computer to ‘brand new’ status
This talk of organizing computer space has me thinking about actual cleaning and disinfection of the computer area.
Keyboard and mouse
If the thought of germs makes you ill, then I advise you to step away from your computer because chances are that your computer keyboard and mouse are crawling with germs. But never fear! You too can make your keyboard a thing of beauty and germ-free goodness if you’re willing to.
What you will need:
A disinfecting cleaner
Paper towels and/or microfibre cloths
Cotton swabs
Air duster
Apply your cleaning solution liberally to some paper towel, and wipe down your keyboard and mouse with the paper towel. You may want to make sure that if your computer is turned on at this time, you’re not working on a thesis, book, blog entry or an email to your boss. In fact, just turn the computer off entirely, since you’ll need to have it off for the final step.
Once you’ve done this preliminary wipe-down, you may want to soak some cotton swabs in solution and run them up and down your rows of keyboard keys, grabbing those hard to reach bits of dust and stains from memorable moments such as the time you sprayed (or spilled) coffee all over the keyboard. Or, that time you accidentally dumped purple nail polish all over your keyboard during an unfortunate multitasking incident. A cotton swab will be very helpful as you try to remedy the situation.
Computer screen
Computer screens are delicate things, so you be sure to check that your cleaning solution is computer screen safe. The last thing you want to do is damage the screen! Be sure also to check what sort of cloth or towel is recommended for wiping the screen. The goal is generally to avoid materials that can scratch, so a microfibre cloth is usually a great choice. Microfibre cloths are actually great because they’ll remove the dust even without the addition of any cleaning solution.
Computer tower (if you’re not blessed with a laptop)
This will probably be the most intensive part of your cleanup. Sure, it’s not hard to spray some cleaning solution on a paper towel and wipe down your computer tower but did you ever consider taking off that outer casing and cleaning out the inside?
What could possible be inside your computer tower? Well dust, and lots of it! I have only done this once but I was blown away by the dust bunnies hiding within that relatively clean looking casing. This is where your air duster gets its second workout. I would not recommended introducing any cleaning solution to the inside of your tower so a few (hundred) puffs of air from your air duster should do the trick. Try not to have too much fun as you spray your computer tower’s fan with the air and watch it go around and around, windmill style. It can be quite addictive though: you have been warned!
If you have any other computer-related apparatus collecting dust, dirt or both, take the time to give them a good cleaning too. Make sure you use the right cleaning solution and cloth depending on the nature of the item and you’ll be fine. Don’t forget the final step of this cleaning bonanza: the part where you sit back and bask in the glow of your spic and span handiwork!
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