The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Have you ever gone back to the office after a long stretch of working from home and opened your laptop, only to watch in horror as your coworker takes in the buffet of chip crumbs and smeared fingerprints all over your device? It’s the kind of thing that only needs to happen once to understand the importance of keeping your computer clean, but it’s more than just vanity — it's also about maintaining your machine’s performance and longevity. Dust, dirt, and grime accumulate in the keyboard, vents, and even inside the hardware, which can cause your computer to overheat and potentially damage your system.
Computer Hygiene 101 starts with turning off and unplugging your computer. To remove the fingerprints and smudges, you’ll want to give the screen and exterior a good wipe with a soft, microfibre cloth. When you’re ready to blast those dusty crumbs out, using some compressed air can blow out dust from the keyboard, vents, and ports. For tougher spots and sticky keys that need a little extra elbow grease, try using the smallest bit of computer-safe cleaning solution on a cotton swab while being very careful not to let any liquid seep into the cracks.
Once you’ve lovingly restored your computer’s cleanliness back to factory settings, the only way to keep it looking like you just took it out of the box is through regular upkeep. Make dusting your workspace a weekly routine so dirt and grime don’t have a chance to build up. You can also try to improve your work-life balance by making an effort to eat your lunch, snacks and coffee away from your computer. Having your computer cleaning kit well stocked will help your device work better for longer, and could save you an awkward conversation about hygiene with HR.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes.