How to clean your laptop: an easy guide

It’s painful to think about but our fingers and hands harbor so much bacteria throughout the day that can be transferred to our laptops (just think about how many surfaces you touch on your way into the office). And what about all those times you coughed or sneezed over your laptop or the sandwich crumbs that fell into the keyboard during your working lunch two weeks ago?

Dust and dirt can look unsightly, but beyond appearance, did you know that not cleaning your laptop can also affect how it performs? When bacteria finds its way onto and into your portable computer, it can potentially reduce its lifespan and slow it down by affecting internal machinery and fans. Luckily, there are some easy ways to keep your laptop clean.

Here's our guide to the best ways to clean a laptop, including the screen and keyboard, plus tips on keeping those pesky bacteria from coming back. 

What to do before beginning

Before you get started (as eager as you might be), there are some precautions you should take. Be sure the device is saved and backed up, perhaps in multiple places, so you don't lose any data. Then, make sure your laptop is powered off and unplugged, as cleaning the screen while the laptop is on could also cause damage. This way, you won't end up damaging your device, losing that email you just drafted, or your new pictures from your holiday in Rome. 

How to clean your laptop keyboard

Start off nice and easy by sweeping the debris off your keyboard with a brush. A small brush attachment on your hoover is also a handy tool.

Some laptops allow you to remove the keys and do a clean underneath, but make sure this is something you can do with your model. We suggest testing it out with a single key before removing the whole keyboard. 

And the golden rule of laptop cleaning? Never spray water or any cleaning products directly onto your laptop. Instead, only use confirmed device-safe solutions first sprayed onto a microfiber cloth to get rid of stubborn dirt.

Microfiber cloths are great as they’re soft enough to avoid damage, but do an amazing job at cleaning delicate devices. 

Repeat those steps as many times as you need. 

Best way to clean a laptop screen

The same microfiber cloth can be used for this step. Avoid using harsh products as this could damage the screen.

Instead, stick to specialized screen cleaning products. Gently pass the cloth across the screen (don't forget the edges) without any product first – just like you did with the keyboard – before using your screen cleaner.

Exterior cleaning

The exterior case of the laptop should also not be cleaned with any harsh products. But as Apple suggests, if you just can't get rid of that pesky coffee stain your colleague recently left, try using a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe.

How to clean your laptop internally

Cleaning the interior, ports, and vents of a laptop may seem scary and almost a little invasive. But you’ve gotta do it if you want your device to have a long life.

Just remove the battery before you start to clean, and you're good to go. Here's a handy guide to removing a MacBook Pro battery.

Not all laptops can easily be opened by the user, but if you feel confident enough, use a can of compressed air to direct short bursts of air at the internal parts of your laptop. Make sure you're doing this somewhere you don't mind getting dusty, and blow the air from different angles. 

Avoid using a vacuum cleaner to clean the interiors, as they create static electricity that can damage your device.

How to clean your laptop: What to avoid

DON'T: Use a tissue or paper towel, as they could break down and leave scratches or dust on the screen’s surface.

DON'T: Use liquid on electrical components. You never want any water, cleaner, or liquid to get inside your laptop. Instead, stick to using good old compressed air.

DON'T: Use too much air. Using too much can damage your laptop. Be gentle and avoid spraying them too close to the internal components.

DON'T: Try to clean the interior of your laptop if you don't feel comfortable doing so. 

Maintaining cleanliness

Now that all that hard work is done, you're probably wondering how to keep your laptop pristine moving forward. Here are some tips:

• Avoid eating near your laptop: We all have those busy days when we might end up having to eat lunch while working, but try to avoid doing this as much as you can.

• Get your laptop professionally cleaned: If you've done all you can to clean your laptop, but you'd like to go a step further, getting your laptop cleaned by a professional is a great way to keep it in tip-top condition. Try using Asurion's laptop cleaning service with stores across the US, or search Yelp to find services near you.

• Use a laptop sleeve: By keeping dust away with a laptop sleeve, your laptop will stay cleaner for longer. Plus, it will be protected from any falls or knocks.