How to Dust a Computer
Dust is one of the leading causes of static problems with your computer parts. You may think that your computer is clean, but you never know how much dust and grime has built up inside your computer until you take the time to clean it. Here are some ways to help you dust your computer.
Tools
To dust your computer properly, you’ll need the following tools:
Duster. A duster made from synthetic fibers is best for dusting your computer. Some natural feather dusters are not effective at dusting your computer, because some of the fibers from the vane may get stuck on some edges and corners of the keyboard, monitor, or the computer case. Synthetic fiber dusters can be activated with a small amount of static to help lift off the dust from the surface.
Dusting cloths. Instead of using cotton rags, it’s best to use chamois cloth or synthetic microfiber cloths. Chamois and microfiber have the same characteristic as synthetic feather dusters, in that they lift off dust from the surface instead of merely pushing it around.
Tips
Here are some tips to keep in mind when dusting a computer:
Keep the duster and surface dry. Unless you’re cleaning grime, don’t use water to remove dust particles, or else you’ll just end up with specks of wet gunk on the computer’s surfaces.
Always have extra dusters and dusting cloths handy. It helps to have more than one duster or dusting cloth handy for cleaning your computer. If you keep dusting with a dirty duster or dusting cloth, you’ll only spread the dirt around and risk pushing dust into the gaps between the keyboard keys, or the ventilation slots on the case or the monitor.
Don’t dust the inside of your computer. As much as possible, don’t use a duster or dusting cloth to clean the delicate components inside the computer case. The fibers may get stuck in the circuitry, which may cause electrical problems or electrical failure. Use a can or two of compressed air instead. Compressed air in pressurized containers are built and designed for cleaning computer parts quickly and effectively.
Like any appliance or piece of furniture, your computer must be free of dust not only for it to work properly, but look good as well. With these tips, you can dust your computer safely and keep it clean.