How do you keep the computer clean?

[Blue Knight]

No, I don't mean the inside of the case (filters on fans and stuff).

I mean, how do you guys remove the dust that accumulates on the keyboard, monitors, and desk? It seems like that it only takes a week for me to see dust on my keyboard. Granted, it's a black one, but it kinda seems ridiculous.

So what do you guys use? an air can? vacume? those static dust thingys? Or does anyone run an air filter in their room? I want an ionic breeze just cuz it's cool....but it filters like crap. hehe.

 

[Deadlierchair]

For my keyboard my favorite thing to do is give it a bath. I take out every single key, and remove all the actual electronics so I just have the plastic parts. Then, I use warm soapy water and scrub it all up. Afterwards, you need to give it plenty of time to dry especially since water traps quite well in the keys.

After I did this, I could say with complete honesty that my keyboard looked as good as new.

 

[Synful Serenity]

I have one of those Ionic Breeze air purifiers that cuts down on the dust immensely. Armor-All on the case and plastic parts helps stop the oxidation that turns them yellow, and helps repel the dust. I don't think this is a good idea on keyboards though! Use an airvac regularly on the keyboard, one with a brush attachment.

 

[ScHpAnKy]

air cans work wonders!

 

[acetic]

I try not to look whats "inside" my keyboard, and use a vacuum on it to get whatevers in it, out of I can. As for my Case, I take a damp rag and wipe it down, thats it. (when the comp is not on)

 

[Blue Knight]

For my keyboard my favorite thing to do is give it a bath. I take out every single key, and remove all the actual electronics so I just have the plastic parts. Then, I use warm soapy water and scrub it all up. Afterwards, you need to give it plenty of time to dry especially since water traps quite well in the keys.

After I did this, I could say with complete honesty that my keyboard looked as good as new.

Yah, I do this about once a year.....I hope you're not doing this as a "regular" cleaning. hehe

I use air cans too...but there's gotta be something better than buying those in bulk....

 

[TheMostWantedPolishTwin]

For my keyboard my favorite thing to do is give it a bath. I take out every single key, and remove all the actual electronics so I just have the plastic parts. Then, I use warm soapy water and scrub it all up. Afterwards, you need to give it plenty of time to dry especially since water traps quite well in the keys.

After I did this, I could say with complete honesty that my keyboard looked as good as new.

yeah - I do the same.. but not every week

 

[MindBuster]

I use some cheap microfibre cloths, just using them dry, the microfibres pick up everything, they are awesome, easily removes those mixtures of sweat/dust/tobacco ashes/smoke particles/coffee stains/semen, and can be washed at 60°C when dirty.

 

[Deadlierchair]

yeah - I do the same.. but not every week

Hehe, definitely not. After about a year with the keyboard it got so dirty that I gave it a washdown and since then I've tried to wash my hands and keep everything cleaner around my keyboard so it hasn't been as bad. I absolutely hate typing when the keyboard feels sticky at all...I'm probably due for a wash soon, maybe this weekend...

 

[starhawk]

air cans work wonders!

seconded... to date i have used 2 1/4 cans blowing dust out of this heap laptop... and i am gonna use another 1/4 can this weekend... anyone want to reccommend me some lcd cleaner for the screen?

 

[arock1_3]

Since we can get rid off dust because 75% of it comes from us (I learn that as an a/c tech and is proven) air can is your allied in the fight againts dust. And yes it needs to be done everyweek is called maintenance.

 

[starhawk]

howdy arock...

mind reccomending me an lcd cleaner? i need one badly for my laptop's lcd screen... preferably something i can get at walmart or radioshack real cheap. got plenty of windex but i don't think it'd get along so well with a tft.

 

[motithejrt]

The best thing for LCDs is saline solution (for contact wearers). By a generic brand from wal-mart, it shouldn't be more than $5 and it will last you forever.

 

[arock1_3]

The one we use at school is called Plasti-Glass by Generation 2000 Products. I haven't seen it at the stores but I'll some research and let you know.

 

[Blue Knight]

Since we can get rid off dust because 75% of it comes from us (I learn that as an a/c tech and is proven) air can is your allied in the fight againts dust. And yes it needs to be done everyweek is called maintenance.

Ok, so it can be done weekly.....but air cans just blow dust around....it's going to return right? Wouldn't a vacume or air filter be a better solution?

 

[arock1_3]

Ok, so it can be done weekly.....but air cans just blow dust around....it's going to return right? Wouldn't a vacume or air filter be a better solution?

And what do you think is going to happen if you use a vacuum? Yes, you are removing the dust but still is gonna comeback because you have in your fingers and body, so was is the difference. Now if using a vacuum will safe money then go for it. I use air cans because I canuse it for other things as well. I just turn the keyboard upside down and blow it. Just use whatever tickles you just do it. A clean keyboard is a happy keyboard

 

[SmokeRngs]

I don't bother with cans of air. It's a waste of money in my opinion. Air compressors work much better and have many more other uses besides.

 

[arock1_3]

True. That's why I said whatever tickles him.

 

[dariob]

Why would you want to clean the unseen gunk out of your keyboard? Keyboards should be replaced every year or two anyway because the tactile response of the keys starts to wear and it makes it hard on your hand. As far as the inside of the PC is concerned, use canned air. Don't use a vacuum as they generate a ton of static.

Dario

 

[MindBuster]

I don't bother with cans of air. It's a waste of money in my opinion. Air compressors work much better and have many more other uses besides.

Not everyone live in a house with a garage, ppl in appartments and dorm rooms have a hard time using a compressor

 

[Tordek]

Not everyone live in a house with a garage, ppl in appartments and dorm rooms have a hard time using a compressor

And you also have to take into account the flexibility of the cans.

I just press and puff!, air comes out that swoops the bad dust away....

ive been thinking of using this too: www.airzooka.net

15 bucks that last for a life time.

 

[SmokeRngs]

Not everyone live in a house with a garage, ppl in appartments and dorm rooms have a hard time using a compressor

It's not a problem for me or my friend. Neither one of has a garage and I live in an apartment. We just have one of the small air compressors. You can grab this thing with one hand and lug it around without any trouble. I wouldn't run it with airtools for very long since it would probably burn itself out trying to keep up. But it does great on a lot of smaller stuff.

The small nozzle on it is also a lot more convenient and can get into a lot of small spaces that a can of air has trouble with.

 

[versello]

howdy arock...

mind reccomending me an lcd cleaner? i need one badly for my laptop's lcd screen... preferably something i can get at walmart or radioshack real cheap. got plenty of windex but i don't think it'd get along so well with a tft.

Yeah, DONT use Windex. It'll tarnish the screen.

Just use a damp cloth, like a towel.

 

[starhawk]

that's all? i thought you would need a special cleaner. considering that i don't know how to hover my finger, and i haven't cleaned that screen in the space of my memory (if ever) i probably do need a special cleaner.

i take it that those orange clean products would also produce unpleasant results.