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Clean the laptop before closing the lid
A practical order for loose crumbs, surface marks and the cleaning tools that travel with your computer.
Deal with loose particles first
A few crumbs are easier to remove while the keyboard is still open on a table. Shut down the computer and unplug its cables before cleaning. Use a clean, soft brush for loose particles around the keys, then move the debris off the work surface.
OXO Sweep & Swipe keeps a retractable brush at one end of its body. Its other end is a shaped microfiber pad for surface marks. Keeping the brush and pad to their separate jobs avoids putting the same cleaning surface through crumbs and then across the screen.
Match the cloth to the display
Use the display maker's cleaning method for the screen. For a standard Mac laptop display, Apple specifies a soft cloth that does not shed lint, lightly dampened with water. Apply moisture to the cloth, keeping it away from openings, rather than spraying the computer.
A large cloth is easier to move across a whole screen than a small pad. Reserve a clean part of it for the display instead of using a section that has just wiped the keyboard. Apple gives a separate procedure for nano-texture glass, so that finish needs its own cleaning method.
Pack a clean tool too
A covered cleaning pad can still collect residue during use. OXO specifies spot cleaning its microfiber with mild soap and warm water, then blotting and air drying. Rinse the brush separately, reshape the bristles and dry it with the brush extended.
Make that a sink task, away from the computer. Once the cleaner is dry, retract the brush and replace the pad cap before it goes into the bag. Keep the screen cloth in a separate clean pocket, ready for the next time you open the laptop.
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