Guides
Practical guides
The first article in this section covers the simplest kind of care anyone can do: cleaning the outside of your laptop. Smudges on the screen, crumbs in the keyboard and dust on the vents don't just look bad; they get in the way. Below is a calm, step-by-step routine that works for most laptops and never requires opening the case. If your user manual says otherwise, follow the manual.
Cleaning the outside is a gentle touch-up, not a deep clean. If you find yourself reaching for a screwdriver, you've wandered into repair-shop territory.
What you'll need
- A soft, lint-free microfiber cloth, ideally two: one dry and one slightly damp.
- Clean water or a screen cleaner that your laptop's manual allows.
- A soft, dry brush with natural or synthetic bristles for the keyboard and vents.
- Cotton swabs for corners and the gaps around the ports.
- A clear, well-lit table and a towel to set the closed laptop on.
- Your user manual, open to the section on caring for the device.
Shut the laptop down completely
Save your work, shut down the system and wait until the device goes dark. Sleep mode isn't enough: an accidental keypress can wake the laptop right in the middle of wiping it.
Hypothetical example: an owner wiped the screen while the laptop was asleep, bumped a key, and the system opened a dozen apps while he was cleaning the keyboard.
Unplug every cable
Disconnect the power adapter, mouse, flash drives and any other devices. That way a damp cloth won't end up next to a live port, and you can turn the laptop freely.
Hypothetical example: before cleaning, a student unplugs everything and puts all the cables in one box so nothing gets lost.
Brush off the dust
Start dry: run the brush over the keyboard, around the ports and across the outside of the vents. Move gently and don't push debris deeper into the gaps.
Hypothetical example: after turning the closed laptop keyboard-side down over a towel, the owner is surprised by how many crumbs fall out with no effort at all.
Wipe the screen with a soft cloth
Go over the screen with dry microfiber first, then with a slightly damp cloth if needed. Never spray liquid directly on the screen, don't press on the panel, and skip alcohol, solvents and paper towels.
Hypothetical example: instead of a kitchen glass cleaner, the owner uses a cloth barely dampened with water, and over time the streaks stop showing up.
Freshen up the keyboard and palm rest
Wipe the keys and the area around them with a cloth wrung out until it's almost dry. Water shouldn't get into the gaps between the keys. Don't pop the keys off: their clips are fragile.
Hypothetical example: a family agrees to wipe the keyboard every weekend, and the most-used keys on their shared laptop stop sticking.
Go over the case and lid
Wipe the lid, bottom panel and sides. Dry cotton swabs work well for the gaps around the ports. Don't peel off stickers or labels on the bottom: they may show the serial number.
Hypothetical example: while wiping the bottom, an owner notices that one rubber foot has come loose and makes a note to mention it at the repair shop next time.
Let the laptop dry
Leave the device open on the table until every surface is completely dry. Don't speed things up with hot air, and don't turn the laptop on if there are drops left anywhere.
Hypothetical example: after cleaning, the owner goes to make some tea and only turns the laptop on once the screen and keyboard are fully dry.
Turn it on and check
Plug in the adapter, turn the laptop on and make sure the screen is clean, the keys respond and the fan sounds normal. Make a note of the cleaning date so you don't put off the next one for too long.
Hypothetical example: the owner sets a recurring calendar reminder and no longer thinks about cleaning only when the screen is already visibly hazy.
Common mistakes
- Wiping the laptop while it's on or in sleep mode.
- Spraying water or cleaner directly onto the screen or keyboard.
- Using alcohol, solvents, abrasive sponges or kitchen cleaners.
- Wiping the screen with paper towels or the edge of your shirt: they leave scratches and lint.
- Digging debris out from under the keys with sharp objects or removing the keys.
- Drying the laptop with hot air or turning it on while the surface is still damp.
If something doesn't fit
- If you don't have a brush, a clean, dry microfiber cloth will do for now: gently sweep the dust away from the gaps.
- If your user manual doesn't allow damp-wiping the screen, stick to a dry cloth and clean more often.
- If the laptop still runs very hot and loud after an outside cleaning, don't try to reach the fan yourself: that's a reason to have it diagnosed at a repair shop.
Quick check
- The laptop is fully shut down, not asleep
- The adapter and all devices are unplugged
- Dust has been brushed off with a dry brush
- The screen was wiped with a soft cloth, without pressure
- No moisture got into the gaps in the keyboard
- The stickers on the bottom are still in place
- All surfaces are completely dry
- The laptop is on and working normally
Catalogue of English-language articles
This is where we'll collect standalone articles on taking good care of a laptop, written for English-speaking readers: practical guides, answers to common questions and explanations of terms you'll find in user manuals.
- A beginner-friendly overview of gaming services and player resources: Safety And Account Protection
A beginner-friendly look at gaming services and player resources through the lens of safety: account protection, phishing, payments and publisher terms.
- Aion 2 system requirements: Useful Resources and Planning Tips
How to read Aion 2 system requirements, where to find the official figures, how to check your own PC and how to plan an upgrade without wasting money.
- GTA 6 Player Assistance and Boosting Options: Source Check
A source check on GTA 6 player assistance and boosting offers: what is confirmed, what is guesswork, and how to judge sellers before the game even ships.
- Crafting, Seasonal Updates and Strategy in ARC Raiders
A reusable before, during and after framework for ARC Raiders seasons, with checklists for crafting priorities, stash discipline and strategy review.
- Valorant: Duo Boost — Ecosystem Overview
A practical overview of Valorant duo boost: how playing alongside a stronger player differs from account sharing, the prerequisites, the risks and alternatives.
What we're working on
- How to get your laptop ready for a road trip or a long flight, and what to pack with it.
- A back-to-school laptop checklist: habits that help a laptop survive a busy semester.
- How to set up a home office desk that's comfortable for both your laptop and your back.
- Simple house rules for a family laptop that kids and parents share.
- How to store a laptop over summer break or any stretch of months when you won't be using it.
How we publish
- Articles in this catalogue are written separately for each language version and are not translations.
- Some articles link to third-party websites, including gaming services; we do not control their content, prices or terms.
- We do not repair or sell devices and we do not publish advertising for workshops, shops or brands, rankings, prices or reviews.
Read next
- Questions
Short answers about habits, heat and fan noise, accidents, and taking your laptop to a repair shop.
- Reference
A laptop owner's glossary: hinge, display panel, vents, sleep mode, diagnostics, warranty and more.
- Topics
The four topics of this reference: everyday handling, cleaning and cooling, battery and power, travel and storage.
Sources
- Laptop manufacturers' user manuals (general terms)
- Editorial materials of this reference
Information is current as of the date this page was prepared. Laptops from different manufacturers are built differently, so before you do anything with your device, check the user manual for your specific model and follow it.