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Tips for keeping electronic devices clean

by BigB

Electronic devices are('nt (depending on what the device is, of course) cheap these days. Too few people practice proper electronic cleanliness, so here is my guide to keeping your electronics in top shape for as long as possible. Most of it is common knowledge, but when it is all in one list, it makes oh such a difference.

1. If it is something large, such as an electronic instrument, or lcd tv, you should always put a dust cover over it when you aren't using it.

Dust is small, it can get in places unimaginable. You can wash the dust cover every
couple weeks or as it seems necessary.

If its small, like a PDA or MP3 player, get a case, and keep it in there anytime you aren't using it, or if you are and its possible.

2. Always wash your hands before using. Oil from your hands can attract dust and dirt, or even stain light colored plastics. Dead skin build up also isn't very attractive. I find that the things most prone to this dead skin buildup is game controllers, not so pleasant if you go to somebodies house and their controllers are covered with dead skin. Wash those hands.

3. No food or drinks while using. It wouldn't apply to a television, but it does apply to just about everything else such as computer keyboards or anything that is constantly being touched.

4. Don't sneeze or cough in your hands. At the very least use the nook of your elbow for such an occasion, but I would have to recommend a tissue..or not letting any sudden bursts of air out of your face at all.

5. Buy a microfiber cloth and use it after each time you use the device. For general dusting or removing fingerprints you don't even need water, but for heavier dirt (shouldn't let it get this dirty anyways) you can use either water, rubbing alcohol, Windex, or whatever suites your needs. Rubbing alcohol is great for disinfecting metals and plastics,
windex is also great for general cleaning of plastics.

6. Clean knobs at least once a year. If your device has potentiometer knobs, you can usually take them off by pulling on them straight out with a little force. If it doesn't come off, just use your microfiber cloth sprayed with a little water or other cleaner. I'm not sure how many things have these so I guess this applies mostly to electronic instruments.

If the knob is a hard plastic, you can clean it by scrubbing it gently with some warm soapy water and a toothbrush. You may need to let them soak in a solution of vinegar, soap, and water. The vinegar will dissolve hard to scrub off dirt.
Bleach could work too.

For soft-grip knobs made of silicone, or is soft and grippy, you can easily clean them with the same solution above.

7. Don't loan or let others use your electronics unless they know how to follow these rules. There aren't many things worse than getting something back in worse condition than it was given.

Heres some other random things I'll throw in as well.

To clean an lcd screen, dampen a small section on a microfiber cloth with rubbing alcohol, and wipe down the screen.
Proceed by wiping any streaks left behind with a clean, dry portion of the microfiber cloth. Good as new.

Disinfect your computer keyboard once a week with rubbing alcohol, removes dead skin and oil buildup as well as disinfecting.
You might want to do it more often if you aren't the only one using your computer.

Turn your computer screen off when you aren't using it, the bulbs will eventually run out, and they can be expensive.

Just about anything can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol...

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    Electronic devices are('nt (depending on what the device is, of course) cheap these days. Too few people practice pro... read more

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