Treat Your Technology to a Spring Cleaning

Did you know that your electronics need a spring cleaning, too? Get some great tips for getting your technology back in tip-top condition.

Interiors

Computers are notorious dust magnets. Grime-covered fans can jam, overheat and even become fire hazards. Fortunately, a vigorous application of air compressed air will do the trick. Follow these easy steps:

1. Take your computer into the garage or other dry, sheltered area.
2. Unplug the power source. (If it's a laptop, also remove the battery.)
3. Remove the cover, exposing the interior.
4. With gentle, steady bursts from the can of air, remove the dust.

Exteriors

A clean microfiber cloth and screen cleaning solution are all you need to free the surfaces of televisions, cameras, cell phones and computers from smudges. With the device's power off and in a brightly lit location:

1. Spray cleaning solution on the microfiber cloth (not on the screen directly!) until lightly damp.
2. Gently wipe the surface using left-to-right motions. Careful! Too much pressure could damage the screen.
3. Repeat as necessary.

It's also a good idea to use antistatic electronic cleaning wipes to wipe down your mouse, keyboard and other shiny, dust-collecting surfaces.