Best Practices for Keeping Your Computer Clean

As your employees go about their workdays, it is critical that they do so with the resources they’ll need to remain optimally productive… and that those resources are in the best condition for them to do so. While this is usually an overlooked consideration, this means that their computer needs to be clean and fully functional. Listed below are a few best practices to follow when it comes to keeping a workstation clean enough to work optimally.

What Difference Does a Clean Workstation Make?

To be frank, quite a bit. If it isn’t properly maintained, a computer can become pretty gross.

Not only is it more aesthetically pleasing to look at when it is kept hygienic, keeping a workstation clean can help its operations by helping to control its temperature and can even prevent germs from spreading. Thus, it is imperative that you address your workstation’s cleanliness periodically. Read on for some best practices to ensure that your computer equipment is properly cleaned.

How Often Should I Clean My Workstation?

There are a lot of factors that play into how frequently your workstation should see a little TLC. While the minimum should be at least once a year, other variables will play into your specific situation. Some examples: where that computer is located, if it’s in the home or in an office or in some other environment, and what conditions are present there can make it prudent to clean it more often.

It only makes sense that things like:

• An industrial environment
• The presence of pets
• Carpeting
• Who typically uses the computer (especially children)

…and numerous other variables would increase the frequency that a computer should be cleaned. So, if it’s been over a year since a computer has been cleaned, it’s time.

Properly Cleaning Your Workstation’s Components

Each piece of your workstation should be cleaned differently to protect them from unintentional damage. Here the focus is on the best practices for a desktop workstation, which differ somewhat from those to clean a laptop.

While we’ll briefly go into the proper way to clean each component, there are a few generic best practices that you should remember as well:

• Do not spray any liquid directly into the computer. Spray a cloth and wipe instead.
• Do not use a vacuum, as it can create a damaging static charge. Use compressed air to blow away any debris.
• Don’t allow fans to spin freely as you are cleaning them, as it could actually damage them.
• Always turn off the computer before you attempt to clean it.

The Case

Cleaning your computer’s case can help assist airflow while also making it look better. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe down the exterior to help limit dust.

The Interior

Keeping the inside of your case clean helps to reduce the internal temperature of the device, ultimately benefiting its operations. Compressed air allows you to clear out debris without risking damage to the internal components of the device.

The Peripherals

There are assorted benefits to cleaning the different accessories that enable you to use your desktop. Keeping the keyboard and mouse clean with a combination of compressed air and diluted rubbing alcohol or some other disinfectant can help keep you healthy, while regularly dusting off your monitor will help promote visibility.

To learn about these practices in more depth, call Macro Systems today at 703-359-9211, and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more useful information.