How to Clean Your Laptop - DIY in 5 Ep 257, by Kingston Technology on YouTube. 4 min 16 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 16 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Turn the laptop off and unplug the power adapter. Remove the battery if your model has one you can take out. Lay a microfiber towel under the laptop to protect the lid and screen.
Use short bursts of canned air to clear dust from under the keys, around the screen edges, the touchpad buttons, the ports and the cooling vents. Hold the can upright and spray at an angle so debris blows out, not further in.
Loosen stubborn dust in the cooling vents with a dental pick or cotton swab, then blow it out with canned air. Wear a mask so the dust does not blow into your face.
Stop the fan blades from spinning by holding a toothpick or cotton swab against them, then blow the fan clean with canned air. Do not let the air spin the blades freely.
Dampen a corner of a microfiber cloth with vinegar or diluted isopropyl alcohol. Wipe the keyboard and case, then go over the keys again with a dry part of the cloth.
Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with a screen cleaner or diluted isopropyl alcohol. Wipe the screen gently in one direction with light pressure, then dry it with a clean dry cloth.
Let the laptop air dry fully before you plug it back in and turn it on.
Tips and common mistakes
Never spray liquid directly on the laptop or screen. Put it on the cloth first.
Avoid ammonia or bleach based cleaners, which can damage screens and plastic.
Lift the laptop with two hands, never by the lid, because the screen is fragile.
Clean regularly so dust and grime do not build up inside the vents and keyboard.
Questions
Can I use rubbing alcohol on my laptop screen?
Yes, 70% isopropyl alcohol is safe when you dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe gently. Do not use ammonia or bleach based products, and never spray directly on the screen.
How do I clean dust out of the cooling vents?
Loosen the dust with a dental pick or cotton swab, then blow it out with short bursts of canned air held upright. Keep the fan blades from spinning with a toothpick while you blow.
Do I need to remove the battery before cleaning?
Remove it if your laptop has a battery you can take out. If it is built in, just shut down and unplug the power adapter before you start.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
