How to clean a laptop

Narnia

Prince
Joined
Nov 19, 2009
Messages
513
What is the best way to clean a laptop's keyboard? I use my laptop for school and have a bad habit of eating while I'm working, which has resulted in crumbs and other debris getting into the keyboard. Because of this, my keyboard's keys sometimes get stuck and it is really annoying. Any suggestions? Also, what's the best way to clean a laptop's screen and fan system? Thanks for the help.
 
I use canned air, which is purchasable at either an office supply store or electronics store. I use it to clean the keyboard and blow dust out of vents, as well as clean my laptop cooler and CD-DVD drive..

The screen, I use a damp, not soaking wet, merely damp paper towel. Use that to get the screen moist, then dry it with another paper towel. If my screen just needs simple dusting, I use a special cloth I use to clean my glasses (got it for free); I have no idea where to purchase something like, likely an electronics store.
 
I would never use a paper towel on a screen, try a soft cloth like a camera lens cloth, glasses cloth or screen cloth.

Blow it out with a can of air, that's a good idea. Open it up to really get at it and apply some fresh thermal paste, you will be glad you did.
 
Microfiber cloth with an LCD. Dont use tap water, distilled water I think is ok (someone confirm this?).
 
Also, for the outer fans (don't do this with the ones inside the case like the heatsink fan) sometimes a q-tip can get out dust that the compressed air cant reach. I would only do this with the outside fans though. I dont know if the laptop has any but my desktop it seems to work.
 
Get a wife or girlfriend, she'll clean it for you.

On topic: I spilt beer on my keyboard (again), not a laptop (it would be wrecked by now), anyone got any tips for fixing that? I already turned it upside down, shook it and used tissue paper to get as much liquid out as I can.

I don't have a hair dryer or anything like that.
 
Get a wife or girlfriend, she'll clean it for you.

On topic: I spilt beer on my keyboard (again), not a laptop (it would be wrecked by now), anyone got any tips for fixing that? I already turned it upside down, shook it and used tissue paper to get as much liquid out as I can.

I don't have a hair dryer or anything like that.

You want to get all the residue out. (My hardware teacher says when it dries out, its not the water that kills electronics but the residue). Then you just let it dry out completely
 
Get a wife or girlfriend, she'll clean it for you.

On topic: I spilt beer on my keyboard (again), not a laptop (it would be wrecked by now), anyone got any tips for fixing that? I already turned it upside down, shook it and used tissue paper to get as much liquid out as I can.

I don't have a hair dryer or anything like that.
Dishwasher. As long as you dry it well, it'll be great.

Or you can pull the keys off and clean it by hand. This also allows you to try to avoid getting water into the inside, only making the externally exposed area wet.
 
I have heard, but not tested, the theory that coffee over a keyboard can best be treated by rinsing it off in the sink, yes get it nice and wet, and then letting it dry. It seems counterintuitive and yet logical. Please post results . . .
 
I have heard, but not tested, the theory that coffee over a keyboard can best be treated by rinsing it off in the sink, yes get it nice and wet, and then letting it dry. It seems counterintuitive and yet logical. Please post results . . .

Well as I mentioned before that once it dries water by itself wont hurt it. If its still wet the electricity jumping over the water will cause a short or something. And if theres residue left over when it dries that wont help either.
 
Looks like I have avoided long term damage. No keys stuck yet.
 
I'll give another tip: Never use superglue to fix a keyboard. I destroyed one that way. The spacebar got stuck down.
 
to clean.... Cyberclean get it at walmart dont push too hard down on laptop keys, they might pop off. But canned air is the best option.

and ive washed dozens of keyboards. they work fine. no heat no soap ( wired only!!!!) electrical tape over the plug and off ya go. and yes, let it dry
 
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