How To: Clean Your Computer and Technology Peripherals

Modified on: Wed, Apr 2 2025 11:39 AM

Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning Wipes are available around campus in common areas. Oxivir wipes and Clorox non-bleach cleaning wipes can be used to clean your laptop keyboard and touch pad, and your workstation Keyboard and Mouse.
Additional cleaning wipes can be requested by emailing FacilitiesManagement@dmu.edu. You can also request for cleaning wipes to be placed in specific community areas where they are not currently present.
Wipes should not be sopping or dripping when used for cleaning computer equipment.
Clorox Disinfecting wipes, or Oxivir TB wipes are recommended for use at shared workstations to help prevent the spread of germs.
Be sure to follow the label directions for contact times to ensure surfaces are disinfected or sanitized.
- Clorox wipes - Sanitize time 10 seconds, Disinfect time 4 minutes.
- Oxivir Tb Wipes - Disinfect time 60 seconds.
If you do not want use or are sensitive to chemical wipes, a good alternative is a microfiber cloth with a little warm water. The Solutions Hub has Microfiber towels available to borrow.
Do not use general purpose cleaning wipes on your monitors, displays, or privacy screens as this can damage them. Special screen cleaning wipes are available from the Solutions Hub or you can use a microfiber cloth with a little warm water.

Cleaning your Laptop Keyboard and Touchpad

Shut Down your laptop.
Ensure your cleaning wipe is not sopping or dripping.
Clean across the laptop surface paying attention to any obvious dirt or stains.
Follow the product instructions for disinfecting or sanitizing times.
If needed, use a dry microfiber towel to clean up any excess moisture.
It is ok to clean your laptop keyboard and touchpad as often as daily to help prevent the spread of germs. If you experience any wearing of keyboard letters or loss of functionality, contact the Solutions Hub.

Cleaning your Workstation Keyboard and Mouse

Disconnect your laptop from the docking station or shut down your desktop computer.
Ensure your cleaning wipe is not sopping or dripping.
Clean across the keyboard surface paying attention to any obvious dirt or stains.
Clean your mouse, paying attention to areas where your fingers rest and any obvious dirt or stains.
Follow the product instructions for disinfecting or sanitizing times.
If needed, use a dry microfiber towel to clean up any excess moisture.
It is ok to clean your workstation keyboard and mouse as often as daily to help prevent the spread of germs. If you experience any wearing of keyboard letters or loss of functionality, contact the Solutions Hub.

Cleaning your Computer Monitors, Laptop Displays, and Privacy Screens

Power off your monitor or shut down your laptop.
If available use an air duster to blow away any loose dust or dirt that could scratch the display.
Ensure your monitor cleaning wipe or microfiber towel is not sopping or dripping. *Do not use general purpose cleaning wipes for cleaning monitors or displays. Monitor specific cleaning wipes are available from the Solutions Hub.
Gently clean across the monitor surface paying attention to any obvious dirt or stains. Cleaning too aggressively or applying too much pressure can scratch or damage the screen.
If needed, use a dry microfiber towel to clean up any excess moisture.
Monitors and Displays should only be cleaned when dirty. Cleaning too often can scratch or damage the screen.

Cleaning your Laptop Chassis Surface, Vents, and Fan

Shut down your laptop.
If available use an air duster to blow away any loose dust or dirt from you laptop air vents.
If your laptop fan has been constantly running or your laptop has been getting too hot, stop by the Solutions Hub to have the inside of your laptop cleaned.
Ensure your cleaning wipe or microfiber towel is not sopping or dripping.
Clean across the exterior surface paying attention to any obvious dirt, stains, or clogged vents.
Follow the product instructions for disinfecting or sanitizing times.
If needed, use a dry microfiber towel to clean up any excess moisture.
It is ok to clean your laptop exterior as often as daily. Keeping the air vents and fan cleaned is important to the proper operation of your laptop.

Other Information

Requests for general cleaning supplies can be made to facilitiesmanagement@dmu.edu.
Monitor cleaning supplies (monitor wipes, microfiber towels) requests or requests for assistance with cleaning monitors or displays can be made to solutionshub@dmu.edu.
Health and safety questions can be directed to victoria.behrends@dmu.edu.