Dust, fingerprints, and crumbs build up fast. Cleaning your devices regularly keeps them looking good, working properly, and (especially for keyboards) less disgusting. The key is knowing what to use and what to avoid so you don't scratch a screen or short out a port.

General rules

Before cleaning anything electronic:

• Power off the device and unplug it. For laptops, close the lid first
• Never spray liquid directly onto a device. Spray onto the cloth, then wipe
• Avoid paper towels, tissues, and napkins. They leave tiny scratches on screens and shed fibers into crevices
• Use a microfiber cloth for everything. They are cheap, washable, and the only thing you should be putting on a screen
• Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) is safe for most hard surfaces like keycaps and cases. Do not use it on screens unless you are certain the screen has no oleophobic or anti-reflective coating
• Never use Windex, ammonia-based cleaners, bleach, or household cleaning sprays on any electronics

Screens and monitors

Most modern screens (laptops, monitors, phones, tablets) have coatings that are easily damaged by harsh chemicals.

1. Turn off the display so you can see the dust and smudges clearly
2. Use a dry microfiber cloth and gently wipe in straight lines (not circles) to remove dust
3. For fingerprints and smudges, lightly dampen the cloth with distilled water. Distilled water leaves no mineral streaks. Tap water works in a pinch but can leave faint spots
4. If water alone does not cut it, use a screen cleaner spray designed for electronics. Spray it on the cloth, not the screen
5. Never press hard. Let the cloth do the work
6. For matte/anti-glare screens, be extra gentle. The matte texture can wear down from aggressive cleaning

OLED vs LCD: both clean the same way. The difference is that OLED panels are more sensitive to pressure, so use even lighter pressure on OLED screens (MacBook Pro, most modern phones, many newer monitors).

Keyboards

Keyboards collect more grime than almost anything else you touch daily.

Quick clean (weekly):

1. Turn the keyboard upside down (or tilt the laptop) and gently shake out loose debris
2. Use a can of compressed air to blast out crumbs and dust between the keys. Hold the can upright and use short bursts — tilting the can sprays freezing liquid
3. Wipe the keycap surfaces with a microfiber cloth lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol

Deep clean (monthly or as needed):

1. For mechanical keyboards with removable keycaps, use a keycap puller to remove them. Soak keycaps in warm soapy water for 30 minutes, rinse, and let them dry completely before reattaching
2. With keycaps removed, use compressed air and a small brush (an old toothbrush works) to clean the plate and switches
3. For laptop keyboards, you cannot remove the keys without risking damage. Instead, use compressed air at an angle and a slightly damp cloth wrapped around a thin tool (like a butter knife) to wipe between keys
4. Clean the spacebar and Enter key area especially well. They accumulate the most oil and grime

Laptops and desktops

The exterior builds up oil from your hands and dust from air intake.

1. Wipe the exterior (lid, palm rest, trackpad) with a microfiber cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol or a gentle electronics wipe
2. Clean the vents with compressed air. For laptops, blow into the side and rear vents with short bursts. This is the single most important maintenance for thermal performance. If your computer has been running hot, dirty vents are usually the cause. See Laptop or Desktop Overheating for more
3. For desktops, power down, open the side panel, and use compressed air to clean the fans, heatsinks, and filters. Do this outside or in a garage — the amount of dust that comes out is surprising
4. Wipe down cables and the desk area around your computer while you are at it

Phones and tablets

1. Remove the case and clean it separately. Silicone and plastic cases can be washed with soap and water. Let the case dry fully before putting it back on
2. Clean the screen with a dry microfiber cloth. For stubborn smudges, dampen the cloth slightly with distilled water
3. Clean the charging port carefully if your device charges slowly or has a loose connection. Use a wooden or plastic toothpick to gently remove lint and debris. Do not use metal — it can damage the contacts. A soft brush (like an anti-static brush or clean dry toothbrush) works well too
4. Wipe down the back and sides with a lightly damp microfiber cloth. Modern phones are water-resistant but avoid getting moisture in the ports

Mice and trackpads

1. Wipe the exterior of the mouse with a microfiber cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol
2. Flip the mouse over and clean the sensor lens with a dry microfiber cloth or a cotton swab. Dust on the sensor causes tracking issues
3. Clean the mouse feet (the pads on the bottom) by wiping them gently. Grime on the feet causes the mouse to drag or stutter on the mousepad
4. For the scroll wheel, use compressed air to blast debris out from the sides, then roll the wheel while wiping it with a damp cloth
5. Clean your trackpad with a dry microfiber cloth. If it feels less responsive, a very light dampen with distilled water restores the touch surface
6. Wash your mousepad. Fabric mousepads can be hand-washed with mild soap and warm water. Let it air dry flat

How often to clean

• Weekly: Quick wipe of screens and keyboards with a dry microfiber cloth. Takes under five minutes
• Monthly: Wipe down all surfaces with appropriate cleaners. Clean keyboard more thoroughly. Clean mouse sensor and feet
• Every few months: Compressed air through laptop or desktop vents. Deep clean keyboard. Wash mousepad and phone case
• Yearly: Open desktop for internal dusting. Consider a thorough laptop vent cleaning

The 5-minute quick clean

If you only have five minutes, do this:

1. Shake out or blow compressed air through the keyboard
2. Wipe the screen with a dry microfiber cloth
3. Wipe down the trackpad, palm rest, and mouse with a slightly damp cloth
4. Quick wipe of your phone screen

This alone makes a noticeable difference and prevents buildup that requires deep cleaning later.