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# Properly Cleaning a Laptop
[Datalyst Blog](https://datalyst.directivesites.com/blog/categories/blog) [Tip of the Week](https://datalyst.directivesites.com/blog/categories/tip-of-the-week)
[Daniel Mathieu](https://datalyst.directivesites.com/blog/blogger/daniel-mathieu)
Wednesday, 10 April 2024
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It is important to keep modern computers clean, and laptops are no exception. However, a laptop's different form factor makes cleaning it much different from cleaning a traditional desktop computer.
Let’s review the process that someone seeking to clean their laptop should follow, broken down between the different components.
**BEFORE YOU BEGIN:** Make sure you have backed up all your data, then turn off the device and unplug it. While we’re going to stick to safe methods of cleaning a laptop, accidents happen, so let’s mitigate most of the issues before there’s a risk of them taking place.
## How to Clean a Laptop’s Chassis
- Use a microfiber cloth, very lightly dampened with water or a dedicated laptop cleaning fluid, to wipe down the exterior of your device. Be careful around ports and vents to avoid introducing moisture to the laptop's interior.
- Use compressed air to clean all vents and ports, applying it at an angle so debris isn’t pushed further in.
- If your laptop’s documentation confirms you can, gently open the back to clean vents, ports, and fans with compressed air. Make sure doing so won’t void any warranties.
## How to Clean a Laptop’s Keyboard
- Carefully lift up your laptop and, with it upside-down, gently shake it to dislodge any crumbs from the keyboard.
- Use a microfiber towel to wipe down the keyboard, and use compressed air to clear out additional debris.
- If the laptop features removable keycaps, remove and replace one first to ensure you can do so. If you aren’t sure, however, don’t try removing the keys or keycaps.
## How to Clean a Laptop’s Screen
- Use a microfiber cloth to wipe your screen, dampening it slightly if necessary.
- Use water, a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution, or a dedicated screen cleaning solution, avoiding other household cleaners.
- Use slow, circular motions to avoid creating streaks.
Hopefully, these tips will help you properly clean your laptop. Just be careful to avoid damaging your device.
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About the author
[  ](https://datalyst.directivesites.com/blog/blogger/daniel-mathieu)
[Daniel Mathieu](https://datalyst.directivesites.com/blog/blogger/daniel-mathieu)
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Dan is a trusted IT advisor with a background of over 25 years in IT and continuously works on the challenges of putting the right people in place to drive business growth and customer satisfaction.
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