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Take a moment to think about a day in the life of your mobile phone. It’s probably with you while you eat your breakfast. Chances are, you’re checking your Facebook while in line for a coffee or the bus. You use it as your clock, your planner, your personal assistant… you might even use it in the bathroom!
There’s no denying that our electronic devices come into contact with a lot of dirt, germs, and grubby surfaces each and every day. But cleaning them isn’t always intuitive: you can’t just your tablet it in some soapy water and call it a day!
We’ve prepared the following guide to help you keep your electronic devices sparkling clean. There’s an added perk, too: cleaning your electronics regularly will make them last longer and perform better—definitely a win-win!
Tablets
Begin by turning off your tablet and unplugging any cables that might be connected. Use a slightly damp lint-free cloth to wipe down the exterior, avoiding any of the openings.
Avoid using chemical cleaners, even on the screen. A soft cloth and a bit of water should be enough to do the trick: anything harsher can cause scratches or other damages to the device.
Mobile Phones
It’s relatively easy to keep your cell phone clean, and the steps are very similar to cleaning your tablet. All it takes is a soft, lint-free cloth and little water, which you can use to gently buffer the entire phone. Don’t allow the phone to come into direct contact with the water.
If you need to clear any of the openings, apply the smallest bit of rubbing alcohol to a soft cloth, and gently wipe away any dirt. Take some preventative measures by using a screen protector film and a phone case.
Laptops and Desktops
If you’ve ever flipped over one of your keyboard keys, you might have come across some serious dust bunnies lurking around, causing your keys to be a little sticky. Indeed, dust can be the culprit of many physical issues with your computer, second to restarting it.
Compressed air is the best way to clear dust without causing any damage. For the keyboard, stick the nozzle in between the keys, and blow the dust out; you might have to play some pinball with the bunnies, as they don’t always like being kicked out.
If you have a desktop computer, it’s extremely encouraged to unplug everything, take it to the garage or outside, and open that sucker up. Unscrew or pop off the side and take a look in there. More often than not, you’ll see more dust inside that computer than you knew was possible. And again, insert compressed air can and have at it (bonus points for speed if you have an actual air compressor).
If your keyboard keys are sticking, you can try the method mentioned above: flip up the keys and use a q-tip or small paintbrush to clear the debris. Putting the keys back properly can be tricky, so do this with caution.
A lint-free cotton cloth dabbed in rubbing alcohol is all you’ll need to clean the exterior of your hardware, including the screen and keyboard keys.
DVD/BluRay Players
Keep the exterior of the player clean with—you guessed it—a lint-free cotton cloth. Simply moisten the cloth slightly and wipe the machine down, collecting any dust that has collected.
If the inside of the player gets dirty, it could cause performance issues. Keep vents clear from accumulated dust by brushing them with a microfiber duster, or even gently passing a vacuum over the vents.
Cleaning discs can be inserted into the machines: these discs have tiny brushes, which clear dust from the lens. Many instruction manuals caution against using cleaning discs, so use them at your own discretion!
Television Screens
Cleaning methods for televisions vary depending on the type of TV you have. If you have an older style with a glass screen, simply use glass cleaner to wipe it down. A plasma TV can be cleaned with a soft cloth and some gentle detergent, then dried afterwards with a clean cloth.
If you have an LCD monitor, a soft cloth and a bit of water should be enough to do the trick—just be sure to use a very light touch. Use a fresh cloth to dry the screen immediately. Avoid any cleaning products on an LCD screen.
Dealing With Spills
If you have the misfortune of spilling something onto an electronic device, or dropping it into some water, your best chance for recovery is to act quickly! Turn off and unplug the device, and mop up as much of the spill as possible. If you can dismantle your electronic device, do so: separating the pieces will allow them to dry faster.
Putting parts in a bag of rice or , tend to dry them up even faster. Disclaimer; if there’s a potential for the rice or silica to get into nooks and crannies, be cautious. It’ll only make matters worse.
If you left your MP3 player in your pocket during the wash, or dropped your phone into a puddle, use the rice trick: fill a plastic zipped bag with rice (or silica gel, those little bags that say “DO NOT EAT” you find in every shoe box), and nestle your electronic device in the middle of the rice packet. Allow it to sit for up to three days. If you’re lucky, the rice will absorb the liquid and your electronic will come back to life. One word of caution: if your device has nooks and crannies, rice could make its way in there. Just be cautious, and try not to move the bag while the goodies absorb all the water.
If all else fails, call in the pros. The device manufacturer should be able to assist. Above all, don’t try turning the device on and off repeatedly to see if it’s still working—you’re more likely to fry it out than to make any progress.
