Cleaning your computer and peripherals does more than just make them look nice, it helps keep the components in good working condition and extends the life of the machine. How often you have to clean it depends on the environment you provide for your computer. Ambient air quality, dust and pollution levels all play a part.

Here are some general guidelines for cleaning frequency:

• Every Five Months: Area with no smoke or pets (average office environment)
• Every Four Months: Area exposed to pets
• Every Three Months: Area exposed to smoke
• Every Two Months: Area exposed to smoke, pets or located near a kitchen
• Every Week or Month: Area exposed to industrial pollution (i.e. Machine Shop, Garage, Wood Shop, Factory, etc.)
• If children are using the computer, or it is located in a public area, it is important to clean the work surfaces weekly or even daily.

Remember: Always read the manufacture literature for care and cleaning of your equipment. If you don’t have this literature, you can usually find it on the manufactures websites. The following suggestions are only general guidelines for maintenance, and you should always follow the manufactures recommendations to avoid voiding warrantees. Whenever in doubt, contact a reputable service technician.

• Always turn off computers and components before cleaning
• Never spray or squirt any type of liquid onto any computer component, inside or out.
• If a spray is needed, spray the liquid onto a cloth and then use that cloth to wipe the component.

• Use a vacuum around the computer, on the outside case and on their keyboards

• NEVER use a conventional vacuum for the inside of your computer; static created can damage the internal components.
• Be cautious when using any type of cleaning solvents; some can damage the case.
• To damp cloths, always use water, isopropyl alcohol, or a highly diluted soap.
• When possible, use a clean, disposable duster such as “Swiffer Duster™”
• When cleaning, be careful not to accidentally adjust any knobs or controls.
• When cleaning the back of the computer, if anything is plugged in, make sure not to disconnect any of the plugs.

• When cleaning fans, especially the smaller fans hold the fan or place something in-between the fan blades to prevent it from spinning. Spraying compressed air into a fan or cleaning a fan with a vacuum may cause damage to some fans.