How to Clean Your Computer: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Prepare Your Workspace and Materials

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=prepare+your+workspace+materials&tag=filsdu2025-20

Before beginning the cleaning process, set up a clean, well-lit workspace with plenty of room. Lay down a soft, clean cloth or towel as your working surface to prevent scratches. Ensure all your cleaning supplies are within reach, and you have a proper container for any screws you might remove. Most importantly, shut down your computer completely and unplug all cables and peripherals. Let the computer cool down for at least 30 minutes if it has been running.

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=before+beginning+cleaning+process&tag=filsdu2025-20

Clean the Exterior Case

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=clean+exterior+case&tag=filsdu2025-20

Start with the exterior case of your computer. Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the outside surfaces, being careful not to let any moisture seep into ports or openings. For stubborn dirt, use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on your cloth. Pay special attention to ventilation areas, as these often collect the most dust. For desktop computers, clean both sides of the case, the front panel, and the top surface.

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=start+exterior+case+your&tag=filsdu2025-20

Clean the Keyboard

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=clean+keyboard&tag=filsdu2025-20

Turn your keyboard upside down and gently shake it to remove loose debris. Use compressed air to blow out any remaining particles, holding the can upright and spraying in short bursts. For deeper cleaning, use cotton swabs slightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol to clean between the keys. For mechanical keyboards, you can carefully remove keycaps and clean underneath them. Clean each keycap individually with a slightly damp microfiber cloth.

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=turn+your+keyboard+upside&tag=filsdu2025-20

Clean the Screen

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=clean+screen&tag=filsdu2025-20

Use a dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe the screen in a circular motion. For stubborn smudges, slightly dampen the cloth with distilled water or a specialized screen cleaning solution. Never spray any liquid directly onto the screen. For LCD screens, be especially gentle and avoid applying pressure, as this can damage the display. Clean from the top down to prevent drips and streaks.

Recommended Products

Looking for related items?
Check these Amazon options for great deals and top-rated picks:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=use+dry+microfiber+cloth&tag=filsdu2025-20