A computer’s worst enemies are heat and dust. Avoid direct sunlight and temperature extremes. Use covers for your computer and components. (cotton preferred [old sheets, towels, material; however, please, no trash bags or plastic])

All computers should be carefully lifted and the desktop thoroughly cleaned.

1. Turn the monitor off and unplug. If the screen is dark, it is easier to see dirty or oily areas.
2. Use a dry, soft cloth and very gently wipe the screen. A good choice would be a microfiber cloth.
   Do not use paper towels, toilet paper, or tissue paper as they tend to scratch the screen.
3. If a dry cloth did not completely remove the dirt or oil, do not press harder to try to scrub it off. Pushing directly on the LCD screen can cause pixels to burn out.
4. If necessary, dampen the cloth with distilled water or an equal ratio of distilled water to white vinegar. Do not use products that contain ammonia, ethyl alcohol, acetone, toluene, ethyl acid, or methyl chloride.
5. Never spray a liquid directly on the LCD screen.
6. The plastic edge that surrounds the screen can be cleaned with any multipurpose cleaner but take care to avoid contact with the screen itself.

MONITORS (CRT)

1. Turn the monitor off and unplug.  If cleaning the monitor when on and warm, static electricity can be generated and that is harmful to your system.
2. Don't open the monitor's case!
3. Do give the monitor plenty of free space for cooling purposes.
4. Don't operate the monitor near a heat source, in a damp environment, near magnets, near motors, in a tight enclosure, or on a rug or carpet.
5. Do use the power cord supplied with your monitor.
6. Don't clean the outside of the monitor case with anything but a line-free cloth or a used dryer sheet (one without perfumes and other chemicals). The cloth can be slightly dampened with water. You could use a possible solution of 3 parts water plus one part dishwashing detergent. You can clean the monitor's screen with the same items or with a little glass cleaner without ammonia. There is a special coating on the monitor  screens that will permanently streak if you use an ammonia-based cleaning product to bathe the screen.  Strong liquid cleaners might damage the colors.  Spray the glass cleaner onto the cloth, never on the screen.  Wipe the screen until it's completely dry. Do use the stand that ships with your monitor. (The monitor needs to be up in the air slightly to allow cooling.)
7. Don't touch the monitor's screen, if at all possible.  Oils and dirt from your hands will remain on the screen.  Don't touch the monitor's screen with a pointed device such as a pen.
    

1. Always turn off your computer and disconnect the keyboard before you begin the cleaning process.
2. Use compressed air in a can or a dust buster if it is a big job.
3. Clean keyboard keys with an approved service-cleaning solution. You can use denatured alcohol (95% isopropyl alcohol).
4. Foam eye shadow applicators work well for reaching between keys and don’t leave behind wisps of cotton as cotton-tipped swabs do.
5. If you accidentally spill liquid on your keyboard, disconnect it and turn it up-side down to drain as much as possible. Use a towel to clean what you can and let it air dray for a day or longer.

To clean the mousepad, use a diluted solution of alcohol or a general-purpose cleaner and a lint-free towel. (I have washed mouse pads on delicate cycle and allowed to air dry)

To troubleshoot an optical mouse:

1. Turn the mouse over and inspect the light-emitting diode "LED" area to make sure it is clean. Normally an optical mouse does not have issues with debris build-up that a mechanical ball mouse would experience. However, if you experience some erratic mouse behavior:

• If there is a smudge on the lens area, gently clean with a plain cotton swab or plain q-tip.
• If there is some debris in the lens area, gently blow the debris away from the lens area.

2. Test the optical mouse without using a mouse pad.  Due to the nature of optical mice, you should avoid mouse pads that are very glossy or highly reflective because they may cause poor tracking. You should also avoid very dark mouse pads. Light colors like white, tan, or gray that have a flat, non-reflective finish work best.

To clean a mechanical ball mouse (A dirty mouse hampers control of the cursor movement):

1. You must take your mouse apart to clean it. Turn the mouse upside down and remove the ball-access cover, take out the roller ball, and wash it in lukewarm water. Do not use any cleansers as it might damage the mouse ball. Wipe the ball dry with a lint free cloth or let it air dry.
2. Using a swab and alcohol, wipe any grime from inside the cavity that holds the ball. Inside the cavity you will see tiny wheels or rollers, be sure to clean these as well. You may need to use your fingernail to scrape the buildup from the rollers.
3. When you finish, put the ball back into the cavity and replace the cover.
4. Clean the outside of the mouse with a general-purpose cleaner and lint-free towel.

The cooling fans in your computer tend to draw in dust along with air, causing dust buildup on internal components. Layers of dust can cause cooling problems and shorten component life spans.

After turning off the computer and unplugging it, remove the case cover and inspect for dust. Use compressed air in a can or a dust buster if it is a big job. Clean the exterior case with diluted alcohol or general-purpose cleaner and a clean, lint-free cloth. If you must wipe the interior, use an antistatic wipe.

The openings in your diskette and CD-ROM drives may seem too small for dust to become a problem, but air-flow does suck particles inside. Use a special cleaning diskette and cleaning solution.