by James Johnson

Created on: February 26, 2009   Last Updated: March 10, 2009

Spring (or anytime) cleaning tips for your personal computer are always handy as the computer is a complicated device and reasonably expensive. It is also considered by most as being essential for both business and personal use. Dust and debris can reduce its effectiveness as well as cause its imminent demise. Of course, cleaning when referenced to a computer can also mean clearing out the hard drive of useless material, which slows speed resulting in frustration that can also lead to the personal computer demise, from impact with a hammer!

For cleaning the computer, always clean up the outside area first, removing bits of paper, ashtrays and those pieces of toast! Also, turn off the computer and unplug all power sources, even the backup supplies. Why unplug, because one can always short out a switch, even when it is turned off!

Physical cleaning is first and foremost. It can be done primarily with a vacuum cleaner. The components of a computer are all fixed in place and in a casing, use the side hose on the vacuum cleaner over those little vents and holes that help with cooling. Some computers also have panels that can be removed to make cleaning even easier, just be sure to put them back. There are mini-vacs that can also be used. This process removes all the dust without the use of any chemicals or cleaning agents. Also, vacuum the entire room, including shelves, counter tops, books and CDs. This will keep the computer clean longer as well as provide a healthier environment.

If your household includes children, there is also likely to be chocolate stuck to the keyboard as the parents will be eating it to steady their nerves for dealing with the teenagers! Chocolate sticks and will not vacuum. Disconnect the keyboard from everything, turn it over and shake lightly to remove the potato chip crumbles. Next carefully wipe it using a damp sponge, note damp, not wet, and just water without any chemicals! Rub it over the keys several times until you can once again read the letters. Now place the keyboard in a dry warm location and let it sit for 24 hours. It will air dry and can then be reconnected. Dust the screen with a feather duster or soft cloth, eyeglass cloths work well. Use no running fluids, if needed the wipe all the surfaces with a lightly damp sponge.

The computer is now physically cleaned, now for the hard drive!

Go into "My Computer" and then right click on your hard drive, go to "properties" and you are half way done. First do drive clean up, this removes temporary files, the recycle bin, and pages stored on the clipboard. Assuming one is using a Windows operating system, it is now time to try a "defragmentation". Click on the tools tag and then choose Defrag now, follow directions. Mac and Linux Systems will be different, so check the instruction manual.

The Personal Computer has now been "spring" cleaned inside and out, so can perform at optimum capacity. It is now ready for summer, fall, and winter cleaning!

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