Electronics

Electronics can cost a ton of money, especially if you want the hottest new products. This money will be wasted however, if you do not spend a few minutes to clean it properly. Dust can accumulate inside electronic devices, causing vital components to be blocked. Settling dust could damage a fan, causing an electronic device to overheat; potentially causing it to die. It is important to know what cleaning methods to use however, as using the wrong cleaning solutions can also cause damage to your electronics. Fight dirt and dust with safe and easy cleaning tricks to avoid having to spend even more money to purchase new electronics.

How To

Before you begin, make sure you have the necessary supplies. You will need compressed air, foam cotton swabs, iKlear wipes and sprays, microfiber cloths, electrostatic cloths, and water.

Cell Phones

• According to a study by Standford University, cell phones are 18X dirtier than toilet handles. Thus, it is important to keep them clean. Kill the bacteria by wiping the phone down with a mixture of 60% water and 40% alcohol. Do not use this solution on touch screens, however; instead, use a damp water cloth for these sensitive screens. Blast away keypad dust with a few bursts of compressed air, and remove earwax build up by removing the earphone covers and soaking them in a mixture of hot water and a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid.

Flat Screen TV

• Both LCD TVs and plasma screens have special coatings, which can be damaged by typical household cleaners. Wipe down the screen gently with a dry electrostatic dust-mop using long, horizontal strokes. Clean the set casing and the back of the TV with an electrostatic dust-mop or lint-free cloth.

Computers

• Start by shutting the computer down and unplugging all electrical cords and the mouse if there is one. Use a slightly damp microfiber to dust the screen (do not use household cleaning solutions, but rather a solution like iKlear). Use a foam swap dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean crevices by rubbing it over vents and speaker holes. Lastly, shake the keyboard gently over a trashcan to remove any loose pieces of dirt. Use a can of compressed air to shoot a few bursts in the gaps between the keys, and wipe the keys down with a rubbing alcohol dampened clean cloth.

DVD Player

• Dust the exterior of the DVD player with a damp, lint-free cloth. Insert a DVD disc cleaner to clean the inside and the spray the openings and vents with a few bursts of compressed air.

Tips & Takeaways

You need to make sure you have the proper cleaning solutions necessary to clean electronics. Household cleaners can do more harm than good to your TV screens and laptops. Use cleaning products like iKlear and Swiffer microfiber cloths for the best results. Be sure to dust your electronics often, as dust is one of the biggest enemies to electronics. It can settle and block important components like fans, which could ruin your electronic device.

Avoid spraying directly onto television or computer screens, as you will spray too much and the mixture will drip into your electronics, causing damage. Instead, spray a small amount onto a cleaning cloth and then wipe the screen. If you spill something onto your device, try to limit the damage immediately. Shut off and unplug the device and wipe up as much of the spill as you can. If the spill has seeped into the electronic device, let it dry out for a few hours. If a large amount of the spill has leaked into the device however, you will most likely need to call a professional to have it cleaned.