Keeping Your Computer Clean A sticky keyboard, a grubby mouse, or a monitor screen covered with fingerprints are only a few of the signs that your computer is overdue for a cleaning. Even in the most immaculate home, computers will collect dust and dirt that can impede performance and lead to expensive repairs down the road. It doesn't take much to keep your computer looking--and performing--like new. Your computer is a delicate piece of equipment, so be sure you have the right supplies on hand to clean it without causing any damage. Compressed air in a can, cotton swabs, and denatured alcohol will meet most of your needs. If you feel like splurging, you can invest in one of those special computer-cleaning vacuums or other special cleaning supplies that can be found at most computer supply stores, but they aren't necessary. Before you do anything else, consult your computer's manual to see what cleaning procedures are recommended. If anything said here differs from what's in your manual, follow the manual! Turn off and unplug the computer and the monitor. Disconnect your mouse, keyboard, and other peripherals before cleaning as well. Give everything ten minutes to cool down before starting to clean. Wet a soft cloth with warm, soapy water and use it to wash down the outside of your computer and monitor cases. Be careful not to use too much water, or it may drip through the vents and damage the circuitry inside. Most monitor screens today have a special glare-coating that ordinary glass cleaner will damage. Special products such as Klear Screen, which includes a special cleaning solution plus a polishing cloth, should be used regularly to keep your screen looking its best. To clean your mouse, twist and remove the ring on the bottom. Remove the ball inside and clean it with your damp cloth. Use the denatured alcohol on a cotton swab to clean the rollers inside the mouse (there may be two or three), removing all the accumulated gunk. Place the dry ball back inside the mouse and close it up. Use compressed air to blow out dust from between and beneath the keys on your keyboard. If you're feeling adventurous, you can pop the keys off for easier access, but do it carefully so you don't loose any small parts like springs that might be inside. Be sure to map where the keys go, too, so you don't end up with keys in the wrong place. Use warm water to wash off the keys, but be sure they are completely dry before reattaching them. If your manual says it's okay to open up the computer case, follow the instructions given. Most modern computers are fairly easy to open, but some systems should only be opened by trained service professionals. Be sure to discharge any static electricity by touching the case before reaching inside. Use your compressed air to blow away the dust bunnies that have collected inside, or remove them with a computer-cleaning vacuum. Be sure that everything is dry before you put it back together and plug it in. Of course the best maintenance is preventative, so don't put your computer next to a window, where dirt can blow into it from outside. And avoid disastrous spills by keeping food and drink away from your system. One yearly cleaning should be sufficient for the insides of your computer case, but you can clean the keyboard, mouse and monitor as often as needed to keep them running at their peak!