Do You Clean Your Office Kitchen More Often Than Your Computers?

Published on: October 06th, 2014

It’s Monday morning. Before settling into work, you go into the office kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. What do you find?

A virtual health hazard has been developing since the previous week. The kitchen counter is buried under a pile of take-out food boxes, a dozen dirty coffee cups and a half-eaten burrito. Out of curiosity, you open the refrigerator and wonder about the stacks of unlabeled Tupperware containers. What’s in there? Is it supposed to be that color?

Keeping It Clean!

Most of us who work in an office environment have had that kitchen experience. Typically, the next step is a blistering group e-mail that reminds the staff to behave like responsible adults. A list of assigned monthly clean-up chores accompanies the e-mail and the chore list is also strategically posted around the office. However, one very important item is often forgotten on that list – your computer equipment!

You can likely say that your business is spending more time cleaning up the office kitchen than your most critical equipment – the computers. Your computers handle your business’ most important assets: accounting, financial records, communications and client information. You owe it to your business to make computer updates and cleanliness a priority. Please use the following recommendations as maintenance guidelines for the physical health of your computers.

External Cleaning

Keeping the outside of your computer sparkling clean isn’t just for visual appeal. Computers generate static electricity that attracts dust that can eventually clog fans and other components. Routine cleaning is important because it can keep the machine from overheating and destroying the hard drive and other components. Please use the following recommendations for cleaning the external surfaces of your computer.

Supplies:
– Can of compressed air
– Q-tips
– Microfiber cloth
– Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and distilled water
– Phillips-tip and flat-tip screwdrivers

Directions for cleaning:

Step 1: Turn off your computer and completely unplug all power sources. If you have a tower, unplug it. If you have a laptop, remove the battery.

Step 2: Open your computer by removing screws or use the sliding panel. Clean the vent by spraying compressed air to blow dust, crumbs and hair from the vent system. Keep the spray nozzle a few inches away from the components and always spray in short bursts. Don’t shake the computer to dislodge dust, you can loosen delicate parts. Consult the computer manual or check online if you need more specific instructions.

Step 3: Use a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol to carefully clean all seams. Clean the keyboard by using compressed air. Aim nozzle into the cracks to flush out crumbs and debris. Never use a vacuum device – this can create a static charge that can damage your computer. Use distilled water on a microfiber cloth to wipe down the screen. Never spray liquids directly onto the screen. Allow everything to dry before plugging the computer in, and then reattach any peripherals. This external cleaning regimen is recommended every few months unless your environment is more prone to dirt and dust. Businesses such as a salon or a manufacturing company probably require more frequent cleaning.

Don’t Neglect the Health and Hygiene of Your Computers!

Your computers are a critical asset to your business. Try to imagine even one day without your computers functioning. If your business can adhere to a strategy for keeping the kitchen clean, then you can commit to a basic maintenance schedule for your office computers. Remember that keeping your computers “clean” isn’t about superficial appearances. Regular computer maintenance for both the exterior surfaces and the internal workings will keep your machine working at optimal efficiency.

To make your life easier, Computer Troubleshooters offers a regular maintenance program that will ensure this important task is done properly and regularly. Give your local Computer Troubleshooters office a call and one of their technology professionals will be happy to discuss this service with you.