Do's and Don'ts of Cleaning Electronics

What NOT to Do

Do not clean your electronic devices while they are powered on – or even plugged into the outlet. Play it safe and unplug the electronic. In fact, go ahead and power it off.

It is no secret that water and electricity don’t mix well. In fact, it can make for a deadly combination. So, forget about cleaning your electronic devices with water directly. Don’t spray onto the surfaces either. All of this is obvious. But what do you clean with? We’ll get to that in a bit.

Next, let’s talk about pressure. Many of the screens on modern electronics are sensitive. When cleaning the screens, be extra careful not to apply too much pressure. Be gentle while wiping or cleaning touchscreen laptops and LCD and LED flat screens.

How to Clean Common Electronics

Each electronic device is unique, so we’ll go through cleaning tips for some of the most common devices.

Let’s start with smart phones. Practically everyone has one, and it is a status symbol for many. So, surely you want yours gleaming and clean. Turn off your phone and clean the cover or case with a clean cloth dipped in isopropyl alcohol. For the screen, you can use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe horizontally then vertically. You can get rid of stubborn grime by spraying a solution of 50/50 distilled water and white vinegar onto a clean cloth to wipe the dirtied screen. Do NOT spray directly onto the phone.

For your laptop or computer, start by unplugging from the outlet and removing the keyboard. Flip the keyboard upside down and shake it to loosen debris. Then, spray compressed air between the keys to get the dust out. You can use the clean cloth dipped in isopropyl alcohol to clean keyboard keys and surfaces. The monitor or screen should be cleaned with a dry microfiber cloth. Again, you can use the solution of water and vinegar mentioned above for stubborn dirt on the screen or monitor.

Cleaning your TV will be similar to cleaning the smartphone or laptop. LCD and LED flat screens are easily scratched and damaged. Be gentle when wiping with the dry microfiber cloth and do not spray too much of the 50/50 distilled water and white vinegar solution onto the cloth if you do end up needing the mixture’s help.

Electricians Can Do It

Electricians know a thing or two about electronics, and we are happy to help. Call Mr. Electric of Fort Worth to consult with a representative today.