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Do you have suggestions

for cleaning my laptop,

including the keyboard

and screen?

I would welcome your suggestions for cleaning a laptop, including the keyboard and screen. I enjoy your newsletter. Thanks, Linda Response from Maria Gracia Dear Linda, Thanks for your question. I am happy to assist. In fact, I just cleaned my laptop and here are the steps I took: 1. You can either use commercial cleaners specifically designed for laptop and desktop computers, or grab 90% or higher isoproyl alcohol, two microfiber cloths, and a few cotton swabs. In addition, have a can of compressed air on hand. 2. Be sure your laptop is turned off and unplugged. 3. Use the canned air to dislodge crumbs, cat hair, etc. out of your keyboard, the ports, and any other crevices. I actually tilt my laptop forward (and away from my face) as I’m doing this, so debris falls off of the laptop and doesn’t blow right back into the keyboard or into my face. 4. Pour a few drops of the alcohol onto the microfiber cloth. Be sure it’s not dripping wet. Wring the cloth out if necessary. You can then use the cloth to clean the laptop and the keyboard…NOT the screen or touch pad. Dampen the cotton swabs with alcohol and clean the small spaces in between the keyboard keys. Dry well with a dry microfiber cloth. 5. Focus on the screen and touch pad. Use a DRY microfiber cloth to eliminate grime and fingerprints. If absolutely necessary, dampen the cloth “a little bit” with water and wipe as needed. When you’re wiping, start from the top left corner and wipe well, using an S pattern (swipe left to right, right to left, moving your hand a bit lower with each swipe) to eliminate streaks. Note: Never use harsh cleaners, like Windex, on your laptop screen or touch pad. Back to Ask Maria Index