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Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Clean Up Your Computer Month - by Stephanie Burkhart




January is a busy time of year. Some people make resolutions and goals for the rest of the year. January is also "get organized" month. Along with getting organizing and working on your resolutions, it's a great time to clean up your computer.

Let's face it, we use our computers every day and they can get pretty funky, so I though I'd share some tips with you on how to keep your computer clean.

Did you Know?
A study in England discovered the "average" office keyboard had bacteria and germs 6 times the level on a toilet seat.

Okay, I'm grossed out. That fact alone has me motivated to clean my computer.

Here's some tips:

Use compressed air to get rid of light dust build up on the screen/keyboard.

A Q-tip dipped in alcohol is another way to quickly clean your keyboard. Just don't drip liquid between the keys.

When you clean the monitor use a lint free cloth or a cleaning product designed for monitors. Windex now sells a "wipe" specifically for electronics and monitors.

Don't use water on the keyboard. Trust me on this.

Question for you: How often do you clean your computer? Do you have any cleaning tips that work for you? Feel free to share. I'd love to your comments.

Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. January is spent taking down Christmas and going to Weight Watchers. 

A POLISH HEART:
99 Cent Contemporary, International, Inspirational Romance


Blurb: Will Sofia's faith give Darrin his heart back? 

Opening Line: This was going to be the most challenging thing he'd ever done in his life. 

Review: 5 Stars, Billie Houston, Amazon Reader
"I loved this warm-hearted tale. Ms. Burkhart has a talent for wrapping drama around ordinary people and spinning a touching love story."

You Tube Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC6_397PerU



14 comments:

  1. Steph--good advice, my friend, especially in the flur season. I might have carried some home and now are on my computer keyboard, multiplying like crazy.
    I keep a very soft cloth in my file cabinet drawers. Actually, I have several and wash those once a week. I just dust, though--I don't use any liquid.
    I figure if I were going to get sick from my computer keyboard, it would have happened long ago.
    But if I use a computer in the library to look up a book....you can be sure I use my Handiwipes as soon as I get back to my car.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Celia, I kinda of agree - if I were going to sick from my computer it would have happened long ago. :)
    However, I usually use the Windex computer/electronic wipes for my computer. The Q Tip is a great suggestion for the hard to reach spots between the keys.

    Smiles
    Steph

    ReplyDelete
  3. Replies
    1. You're welcome Diane. I hope I helped. It's important we keep the grime off our computers.

      smiles
      Steph

      Delete
  4. Does catching my dog licking the key board count as cleaning?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kinda like throwing out the old and starting with the new. Depending on your computer, it's a good idea to get all the dust off/out of the cracks and crevices also. I have a laptop as well as a desk top in my office. With cats, we have cat hair and dust (Yuck) everywhere. Any suggestions there? Other than getting rid of the cats??? Although a tail stuck in the printer makes me wonder sometimes why cats.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Allison no suggestion for the cats. Q-tips and Windex wipes work well for me.

      smiles
      Steph

      Delete
  6. I have a cloth for my glasses I use on the monitor once in a blue moon. The keyboard I got free from my brother who got it from someone else, so it was very dirty. I used Walgreens antibacterial wipes, plus Qtips and paper towels to clean it real good and it works fine. I wouldn't be so zealous about a thorough cleaning if it were a brand new keyboard.

    Morgan Mandel
    http://www.morganmandel.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Morgan, Antibacterial wipes work well, too. We use them for the keyboards at work.
      Smiles
      Steph

      Delete
  7. I agree with all these tips, Paula. Water would definitely spoil the electric circuits and cause water damage. Thanks for sharing these!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, Michelle. Glad to see you pop in.
      Smiles
      Steph

      Delete
  8. I'm a tech who works around computers in my mundane life. One thing that often gets ignored, especially in home computers, is to clean the accumulated dust off the computer, especially at the intake where the fan sucks air in to cool the power supply. In a busy home like mine, with dogs and grandkids running around, those intakes can get almost blocked and damage the computer. Use a vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gerald, you're spot on! It's important to get that spot too or after a while your computer will go "ker-plunk."
      Smiles
      Steph

      Delete

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