Cleaning Your Devices Safely: What to Do and What to Avoid

Regular cleaning keeps your devices looking and functioning like new, but the wrong method can cause real damage — here's how to do it safely.

Screens: Turn off the device first. Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth for daily dust removal. For smudges, lightly dampen the cloth with water — never spray liquid directly onto the screen. Avoid alcohol-based or ammonia-based cleaners, which can strip screen coatings over time.

Ports and charging points: Use a soft dry brush or a can of compressed air to remove lint and dust from charging ports. Never insert pins, toothpicks, or metal objects, which can damage internal connectors.

Speakers and microphones: A soft-bristled brush (like a clean, dry toothbrush) works well to dislodge dust without pushing it further in.

Laptop keyboards: Turn the laptop off and gently tilt it to shake out loose debris, then use compressed air between the keys. A slightly damp microfiber cloth can clean the keys themselves.

What to avoid entirely: paper towels (they can scratch screens), household glass cleaners, and submerging any device in water, even if it's rated water-resistant — resistance is not the same as waterproof.

A five-minute clean every couple of weeks keeps your devices hygienic and helps ports and buttons keep working smoothly for longer.