WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:16.380 --> 00:00:20.270 It's important to keep your computer clean - not only because it looks nice, but also 00:00:20.270 --> 00:00:24.490 because things like dust and dirt can affect your computer's performance. But there's a 00:00:24.490 --> 00:00:29.380 right way and a wrong way to do it. Here's the right way to clean your computer case, 00:00:29.380 --> 00:00:34.700 monitor, mouse, and keyboard. First, always turn off or unplug the item 00:00:34.700 --> 00:00:39.520 before you clean it, just to be safe. If it has a PS/2 connector like this, make sure 00:00:39.520 --> 00:00:44.840 the computer is shut down - both when you unplug the cable, and when you plug it back in. 00:00:44.840 --> 00:00:49.670 To clean your keyboard, turn it upside down, and gently shake it to remove any dust, dirt, 00:00:49.670 --> 00:00:53.690 or crumbs. It's not uncommon for stuff to get stuck inside, which can affect the way 00:00:53.690 --> 00:00:59.940 your keyboard works. You can also use a can of compressed air to really get between the keys. 00:00:59.940 --> 00:01:03.940 To clean the surface, use a cotton cloth or paper towel that's moistened with rubbing 00:01:03.940 --> 00:01:09.280 alcohol. Never actually pour alcohol (or any other liquid) on your keyboard. If you spill 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:14.400 something by accident, don't panic. Shut your computer down immediately, then disconnect 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:17.920 the keyboard, and turn it upside down so the liquid can drain. 00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:22.750 If the liquid is sticky, you can rinse your keyboard under running water just like this, 00:01:22.750 --> 00:01:28.030 turned to the side. Then let it drain upside down for two days before reconnecting it. 00:01:28.030 --> 00:01:32.330 It may not be repairable at this point, but it's worth a try. The best way to avoid this 00:01:32.330 --> 00:01:35.710 is to keep drinks away from the computer area all together. 00:01:35.710 --> 00:01:40.880 Next, take a look at your mouse. If you have an optical mouse, good news - these don't 00:01:40.880 --> 00:01:44.850 require much cleaning at all, because they don't have any moving parts. Just keep an 00:01:44.850 --> 00:01:49.390 eye on the light emitter underneath. If something gets stuck here (even a piece of dust), it 00:01:49.390 --> 00:01:52.250 can keep your mouse from working smoothly. 00:01:52.250 --> 00:01:56.830 To clean a mechanical mouse - again, make sure it's unplugged. Then remove the tracking 00:01:56.830 --> 00:02:01.970 ball by turning the ring counter-clockwise. It should pop right out. Use a cotton cloth 00:02:01.970 --> 00:02:06.670 or paper towel to wipe it with a little rubbing alcohol. You can wipe the inside of the mouse 00:02:06.670 --> 00:02:13.590 too. Make sure all the parts are dry before you put them back together. 00:02:13.590 --> 00:02:17.500 Here's an easy tip. You can give your mouse a quick cleaning by rubbing it back and forth 00:02:17.500 --> 00:02:21.910 on a clean, white sheet of paper. Sometimes this is enough to remove the dust and dirt 00:02:21.910 --> 00:02:24.780 that can get stuck underneath. 00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:29.610 Your monitor is going to be even easier to clean, but there are a few things to keep in mind. 00:02:29.610 --> 00:02:34.450 Never spray the screen directly - with water, cleaner, or any other kind of liquid. It can 00:02:34.450 --> 00:02:38.000 leak into the monitor, and damage the components inside. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:43.600 Never use glass cleaner (like Windex). This can damage your screen if it has an anti-glare coating. 00:02:43.600 --> 00:02:50.440 The safest method is to unplug the monitor, then then wipe it with a soft cloth moistened with water. 00:02:50.440 --> 00:02:54.110 You should also give some thought to cleaning other parts of your workspace, like the back 00:02:54.110 --> 00:02:59.630 of your monitor, and your computer case. These areas can get pretty dusty if you're not careful. 00:02:59.630 --> 00:03:04.800 A lint-free cloth (sometimes called a microfiber cloth) is great for wiping the casings. If 00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:08.650 you see a lot of build-up in the ventilation fans, you can use a can of compressed air 00:03:08.650 --> 00:03:10.600 to clean them out. 00:03:10.600 --> 00:03:15.930 Never use furniture cleaner or strong solvents on any of these surfaces. Instead, take your 00:03:15.930 --> 00:03:20.460 cloth or even a paper towel, and spray it with glass cleaner. Now wipe the case and 00:03:20.460 --> 00:03:25.370 monitor housing (but not the monitor screen) in a downward motion. You can make your own 00:03:25.370 --> 00:03:30.470 solution using ammonia diluted with water - the milder the better. 00:03:30.470 --> 00:03:34.180 One more thing you can do to make sure your computer stays physically healthy is to watch 00:03:34.180 --> 00:03:39.060 the airflow around the case. That means no books, no stacks of paper - nothing 00:03:39.060 --> 00:03:43.320 that might block the fans in the back, which are designed to keep your computer from overheating. 00:03:43.320 --> 00:03:48.060 In fact, if you have a desk with a compartment for the case, you may want to position the 00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:52.420 case a little towards the front, or leave the compartment open if it has a door. Both 00:03:52.420 --> 00:03:59.420 of these steps will help your computer stay cool. 00:04:00.160 --> 00:04:04.680 Looks good to me! Just remember to clean your equipment regularly - the right way - and 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:07.090 your computer is sure to stay healthy for years to come.