Computer Keyboard Cleaning - By: Sabrina Rocca

Computer keyboard cleaning is an absolute necessity even if you don’t use your keyboard day in and day out. Because the keyboard of your PC or laptop comes in contact with your fingers, oil and other substances from your fingertips very often collect on the keys, and can pile up if they are not cleaned. In addition, if you are the sort of person who eats while working at your laptop or PC, crumbs or droplets from what you are eating or drinking can very easily make their way to your device. And in some circumstances, your food or drink can fall onto or spill on your device if you aren’t careful. Lastly, if other people in your office or household share your device, it can become a vector for transmission of diseases if you do not keep it sanitary.

There are two basic sorts of computer keyboard cleaning – light and thorough. Light cleaning can be done, say, once a week, while thorough cleaning can be done around every three months or so. For any sort of cleaning, you are going to need a dry dust-cloth, cotton buds, a cleaning fluid like rubbing or household alcohol or any of the special fluids for cleaning computers or electronic equipment, a screwdriver, and, if you like, a vacuum cleaner.

Start by unplugging your keyboard from your PC if you are cleaning a PC (if it is a laptop you are cleaning, just disconnect the adapter from your mains and remove the battery to prevent electric shock). Now pick up the keyboard or laptop, turn it upside down over a trashcan, and give it a good shake to dislodge any dirt that may be on it. Place it back down and then pick up your cotton buds.

Moisten the ends of the cotton buds with the cleaning fluid and then run the moist ends in between the keys and along the edges. Just throw out the bud when it gets too dirty to pick up any more dirt and ready a new one.

Now pick up your dry dust-cloth and moisten it with the cleaning fluid too. (Don’t put too much.) Run the dust-cloth all over the keyboard, paying special attention to the keys and wherever else your fingers or palms usually rest. Use a dry area of the cloth to wipe up any extra moisture or fluid when you’re done. And don’t forget to give the cloth a rinse and hang it up to dry afterwards.

Lastly, if you would like a more thorough cleaning, you can use the screwdriver to dislodge each of the keys. Just ease the edge of the screwdriver under the base of each key and gently ease the key out. (Make sure you know where to replace each key when you’re done!) Soak your cloth in the cleaning fluid, clean each key very thoroughly, and leave them to dry. Now pick up your vacuum cleaner, if you want to use one, and use it to vacuum away any dirt particles. You can also use the cloth and fluid to clean the base of the keyboard after you are done vacuuming. Set everything aside, and you can put it all back together when it has dried completely.

How often you do this will depend of course on your usage. But whatever your usage is like, you will have to make sure to make regular computer keyboard cleaning a habit.

About the Author

Sabrina Rocca Author: "The Ultimate House Cleaning Checklist Book" For more great cleaning tips, visit http://housecleaningchecklist.ca/housecleaningchecklist_product.html and sign up for your FREE speed-cleaning course.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Sabrina-Rocca/49482

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