Tech tips: cleaning your devices

Is your keyboard getting a bit dusty? Fingerprints on your screen? Sharing equipment and want to keep it clean? 

Tools we use every day have a way of getting a little worse for wear with time: finger marks and smudges, splashes, crumbs and unidentifiable marks can all make an appearance, even with the best of care.

It can be easy to let things go, and then suddenly realise that action is needed – but don’t rush in! An ill-considered approach to cleaning can leave your keyboard damp and compromised, your screen scratched or fogged by a rough cleaning cloth or abrasive cleaner, or your computer requiring expert assistance.

A few key tips when approaching cleaning your computer, tablet or phone are:

• Turn everything off: power down and unplug
• Don’t let things get wet: no moisture in cracks
• Don’t use abrasive cloths, harsh cleaning products, or aerosols. You can buy specialised cleaning cloths but any lint free soft cloth should suit.

You can see specific advice on cleaning Apple products here and HP computers here.