Cleaning Computers & Electronics

Keeping your computer physically clean is just as important as keeping it free from malware, viruses, and other forms of malicious attacks. All computers and electronic devices have many different areas where dirt and dust can accumulate over time. Leaving accumulating build up of dirt and dust in/on your computer can physically harm your computer because it can increase the chances of your computer overheating. This is because the computer isn't getting the proper amount of airflow due to the dust and dirt being in the way. 

Another benefits of keeping your computer clean is reducing germs and viruses. If your computer is not cleaned regularly, it can lead to the spread of these germs and make you and others sick. 

COVID-19 Cleaning Practices:

The University of Arizona Facilities Management is providing Oxivir cleaning products to help reduce the spread of germs and COVID-19. 

• Oxivir Five 16 Concentrate is a one-step disinfectant cleaner powered by proprietary AHP technology that disinfects hard nonporous surfaces in just five minutes. These products are effective against a broad spectrum of pathogenic organisms including bacteria, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Concentrate formulation has 4.25% hydrogen peroxide. The Oxivir Five 16 bottles we get from Custodial Services contain diluted product. The recommended use is to spray it onto a microfiber cloth and wipe down the surface to be disinfected. There is no reason to wipe up the product— let it air dry.
• The College will be getting Oxivir Tb when our supply of Oxivir Five 16 runs out. The advantage to Oxivir Tb is that it disinfects in one minute rather than five minutes. Oxivir disinfectant cleaners can be safely used on most common healthcare surfaces. They are compatible with stainless steel, chrome, vinyl, nylon fabrics, laminated surfaces, glass, rubber, and hard and flexible plastics such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polyethylene, PVC acrylic, fiberglass, and polycarbonate. Oxivir disinfectant cleaners are not recommended to be used on brass, marble, copper or extremely soft plastics.

Using Oxivir products on your computers including desktops, laptops, keyboards, mice, etc. is approved. However, we recommend that you don't use this on Desktop/Laptop Monitors and TV Monitors. Monitors are typically fragile and could possibly be ruined with chemicals. 

If using a disinfectant spray it is good practice to spray the cloth instead of spraying directly onto the computer.

If liquid gets into the fans or openings on a computer this could harm internal hardware. 

Resources:

Apple: How to Clean your Apple Products 

Microsoft: Clean and Care for your Surface

How To: Physically Keep Your Computer Clean

For additional information on general computer cleaning tips

CLICK HERE

Cleaning the Inside of Your PC

(Please contact our help desk so we can assist in cleaning College Owned Computers)

To clean inside of your PC you’ll need a screwdriver, can of compressed air, and a dust mask.

• Step 1. Shutdown your computer and unplug it
• Step 2. Disconnect all of your peripherals such as keyboards, mice, printers, speakers, scanners, and monitors. Disconnect any other cables such as your Ethernet cable.
• Step 3. Move your computer to a clean and clear area where you can safely work on the machine
• Step 4. Using your screwdriver, open your computer. Most computers have screws that hold down the side panel. After removing the screws on the computer case slip off the side panel.
• Step 5. Put on your dust mask and use your can of compressed air to blow debris out of the machine. Don’t touch the inside of the computer unless necessary. Your body may disperse a static shock to the internal components of the machine such as the memory or Central Processing Unit.
• Step 6. Clean the inside of a PC from top to bottom in a thorough motion. Make sure that you hold the can upright so as not to have any liquid leak out of the can. The air is at a freezing temperature when it comes out of the can so make sure not to let any frost form on your computer’s hardware.
• Step 7. When you are finished dusting, look around the PC to see if there is any dust you may have missed.