Welcome to the First Column IT Tech Blog

HomeBlog
Tip of the Week: 3 Steps You Can Take to Keep Your Computer Clean

Tip of the Week: 3 Steps You Can Take to Keep Your Computer Clean

January 11, 2022

Any machine needs regular maintenance which includes periodic cleaning. This includes any computer you use. We have put together three actions you can take to ensure that your machines aren’t going to break down from a lack of physical maintenance. 

Before we start we should say that these physical maintenance tips aren’t going to make your computer run faster or anything like that. What cleaning your computer will do, however, is significantly improve the experience of using it. It’s also just much nicer to have a clean workstation. 

To complete the cleaning process we outline here, you will need the following:

  • A microfiber cloth for wiping down surfaces and screens
  • Compressed air to clean out vents and other internal components
  • Tools, in case you need to open your computer case (ask us if you’re worried about doing this yourself)

You will want to turn off and then unplug the computer you are going to clean and be in a place that has decent ventilation. 

Start with Your Monitors

Cleaning your displays is perhaps the most important part of cleaning your PC. After all, if you have stuff all over your monitors, it is distracting. You’ll want to avoid using any type of substance that could be corrosive. We recommend wiping the dust away with the microfiber cloth and then using a small amount of distilled water (you can find it at your local dollar store) on a paper towel to thoroughly clean the displays. 

Move to the Fans 

Dust generally accumulates inside your computer if you don’t clean it every so often. It also can build up in the fans and can get in the way of air circulation. This can actually have a negative impact on your PC’s functionality as the hotter it is inside your computer, the more wear and tear the components will endure. 

You will want to blow out the fan for certain with the compressed air, but if you are doing a thorough job, you can take the side panels off of your device and remove dust from internal components too.

Clean the Keyboard

Oh man, we’ve seen some pretty nasty keyboards in our time. If you want your keyboard to avoid this fate, you need to be diligent when cleaning it. After all, if you work at your workstation full time, you probably have dead skin, food, hair, and all types of other stuff situated between the keys. Cleaning your keyboard is probably the grimiest part of the job. Take keys off of your keyboard and get in there with some cotton swabs. If you don’t feel like getting that involved you can just shake the keyboard off and be disgusted at the things that appear on your desk. 

A Clean Workstation Can Still Be Dirty

While you may have a spic and span workstation, it may be infested with malware, adware or some other type of problematic code. That’s where First Column IT comes in. Our technicians can clean the inside of your computer and monitor it around the clock to keep threats off of it. Give us a call at (571) 470-5594 to learn more. 

‍

Previous Post
March 13, 2024
Big Data Can Help Fuel Your Business’ Growth
Your business is as valuable as the data it collects, meaning that if you’re not taking full advantage of your data, you’re leaving money on the table. SMBs need all of the strategic advantages they can get, and one way you can gain such an advantage on your competition is through utilizing big data. Let’s explore how big data can transform your operations for the better.
March 11, 2024
How to Weigh Your Cloud Options
Businesses have done incredible things with the cloud, regardless of their chosen industries, sizes, and scopes. In particular, they have innovated to create opportunities for scaling growth and operations. How can your organization do the same? We want to help you implement a cloud solution that addresses all of your pain points. To do this, you can start by learning more about the differences between the public, private, and hybrid cloud solutions available to you.
March 8, 2024
Save Your Chrome Tabs for Later Reading
Google Chrome is one of the most utilized Internet browsers in service and it is because it is constantly being updated with new features. One of the newest features Google has added is the ability for users to save tabs for later reading. Today, we’ll briefly go through the process.

Have a project in mind?

Start with our free consultation. We will provide a detailed proposal and firm quote based on your specific IT support needs. All at a predictable monthly cost per seat.
Free Consultation - Sign Up Here