How to Clean Your Electronic Equipment

Flat-Panel Screens

If the image on your LCD or plasma set isn't as high-def as it's supposed to be, the problem might not be the technology; it may be the dust. Windex and other glass cleaners can leave a hazy residue on plasma and LCD screens. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mix of filtered or bottled water and isopropyl alcohol, then lightly mist it onto a very soft, nonabrasive cloth, such as a cotton T-shirt or a large microfiber dust cloth. (Paper towels may scratch the screen.)

Desktop PCs

You can clean your PC's exterior with a damp cloth, but the real mess is inside the case, where dust restricts airflow. With your computer turned OFF - Remove the case's top or side panel and use a can of compressed air to blow dust from components such as the fans, CPU heat sink and video card. Always hold the can upright and position the case so its opening is on the side, to ensure that blown dust doesn't resettle on your components.

Printers

You can clean any printer's exterior with a damp cloth, but interior cleaning differs for inkjet and laser printers. For inkjets, open the ink-cartridge access panel and use a dry cloth or foam or chamois cleaning swabs to remove any dust or ink. Then run your printer's head-cleaning software to clear the ink nozzle. For laser printers, remove the toner cartridge and wipe the toner cavity and rollers with a dry cloth, while avoiding the transfer roller that sits directly under the cartridge. Resist the urge to clean the optical mirror near the toner cavity; you'll only distort it.

Laptops

The tips for cleaning flat-panel sets also apply to laptop screens, while a damp cloth can be used on the shell and touchpad. Use compressed air to dust off the keyboard, ports and fans — but first stick a toothpick in any fans so they won't be damaged by overspinning. or bottom of the phone.

By Timothy Captain - Popular Mechanics Magazine