Yahoo Finance How to clean your most used high-tech gadgets
Gadgets, computer peripherals and other electronics get dirty – that's no surprise. But how often do you actually set aside the time to give them a good scrub down? Sure, we might shake out that rogue pizza crumb or blow out that loose dust bunny, but we really should get in the habit of cleaning things more than just when absolutely necessary. Below is a list of most commonly used gadgets and a few easy tips on how to clean them quickly and effectively.
Keyboards
Nature's dirt haven. I'm betting a good majority of people use keyboards for work or at home (or more likely, both) and don't bother cleaning them regularly. If you're as guilty as I am, here are a couple of tips on how to effectively clean your keyboard.
Unplug your keyboard or shut down your computer
Turn the keyboard upside down and shake vigorously to loosen any hair, muffin bits, crumbs and other debris
If you have a can of compressed air, spray between keys and shake the debris loose once more
If you're looking for a more comprehensive cleaning, start with the above steps then gently go over the keys and empty spaces with a cotton swab lightly dabbed with rubbing alcohol. You'll be surprised at just how much dirt, grime and overall nastiness has accumulated over time.
Mice
While keyboards need a good wipe down every so often, I've found mice are surprisingly resilient to dirt. But, while you're cleaning your computer peripherals, you might as well take a few cotton swabs dabbed with rubbing alcohol and go over your mouse too.
As always, be sure to unplug your mouse or shut down your computer first.
Laptop
Laptops might look intimidating to clean but they're really not all that difficult to maintain. Yes, extra care has to be taken but it's pretty simple as long as you take your time. Here are some quick and easy cleaning suggestions to make your laptop feel like new.
Shut down laptop, unplug from wall and remove battery if possible
Like a normal keyboard, you'll want to use a can of compressed air to loosen any debris that might be lodged between or underneath keys
Dab some rubbing alcohol on a lint free cloth and gently go over the keys
Spray compressed air into the laptop vents and ports to blow out dust any bunnies
When it comes to the screen, take a dry, lint-free cloth and gently go over the display until smudges and stains disappear
Smartphones and Tablets
Touch devices get dirty - that's just the name of the game. While most of us get in the habit of wiping our smartphones or tablets when a soft, clean cloth happens to catch our eye, TechTarget notes that you really should just carry around a microfibre cloth.
Televisions
Much like a laptop screen or computer monitor, HDTVs can be cleaned by simply using a lint-free cloth. CNET goes into a little more detail noting that you can also use warm water and a drop of dish soap but I've found that my Swiffer does a commendable job of removing dust on the display and around the panel.
A few things you should not do include:
Don't use aerosol sprays, solvents, or abrasives (i.e. Windex)
Don't use anything other than warm water
Don't use any liquid at all
Don't spray a liquid directly on the screen
Don't use a hard cloth
Don't use your fingernail or a sharp object to remove stubborn stains
Speakers
If you've got some external speakers for your computer or home theatre setup, you know quickly they can attract layers of dust. For an easy clean, take a lint roller and gently go over the grille of the speaker. Easy, effective and doesn't require anything you probably don't already have.
Cameras
So you've spent a ton of money on a new digital SLR and some lenses and want to know how to best take care of them. Good news everyone, it's actually quite simple! Half the battle is first making sure you don't get any sand, water or other harmful debris near the camera or its sensors. Newer models may come with a weather-resistant label but, unless it is specifically stated they are weather-proof, you'll want to take extra care when shooting in less than ideal weather.
If you do find your camera body, lenses and viewfinder could use some cleaning, here are some suggestions from Digital Camera World.
Camera Body: With a lens attached, use a soft brush to remove any debris on the camera body
Viewfinder and LCD Screen: Use a soft brush to remove external dust then use a soft cloth to remove smudges
Lenses and Filters: Use a blower or soft brush to remove dirt then a specifically designed lens cleaning cloth to wipe the glass itself
Personally, I've invested in a few Lenspen products that work well when I want to clean my gear. They're relatively inexpensive and easy to carry around too so you can always keep one handy. If you've invested thousands into equipment, the least you could do is buy the correct cleaning materials to maintain them.
Game Controllers
On the surface, game controllers might seem really easy to clean. Grab a baby wipe, scrub and voila! While that might be enough for some people, those who want to give their controllers a good cleaning will need some toothpicks as well to get into the crevices and seams that hold the controller together.
Controllers get tons of use from lots of different people over the years so it's always best to give them a good wipe once and a while - especially if you have friends that have clammy hands! Kotaku has a descriptive piece here that shows how to thoroughly clean an Xbox 360 controller but it can definitely be applied to newer controllers as well.
In summary: get some soft cloths, wipe things until clean and do not pour any solution or liquid onto the device itself. When in doubt, always consult the product manual as it'll likely have refined instructions on how to better care for that particular gadget.
If you think we missed anything, or have some tips of your own, leave a comment below or tweet us at @YahooFinanceCA.