How to clean my Thinkpad

[admsteiner]

Hi guys,

I've been using Enddust (the blue can - for electronics) to clean my monitors and the case of my old laptop. I was wondering if people used anything different for the TP.

I ask not really in reference to the keyboard or monitor, but rather for the top cover of the Thinkpad. I'm not sure what the black material is, but I wanted to check out any experiences people had with cleaning it before I use Enddust on it.

Thanks,
Adam

[JaneL]

Did you try the FAQ?

[Navck]

Personally I use some water and spray the lid, wipe off with tissue and blow off dust.
For the screen, I use water and tissue, sometimes I'll just use the special cloth they give you for glasses or such. Keyboard you can also spray with water and wipe off (Good thing they're sealed, just mist the keys at most)
Trackpoint you can dip it in rubbing achohol and let it dry off.

[AlphaKilo470]

I would highly advise AGAINST spraying anything liquid directly onto the keyboard because even if it's sealed, any water or other liquid that happens to drip down will carry dust with it. I learned that the hard way with this one computer I eventually got rid of where I had used liquid to clean the keyboard routinely for over a year and under the keys was simply nasty.

I'd say use a cloth lightly dampened in Windex or some other cleaning formula on occasion when the keyboard really needs it but for routin cleaning use a dry swiffer or feather duster. The dust between the keys is really easy to remove if you have the right tools.

As for the trackpoint, alcohol will cause the fuzz to wear off faster if you use the fuzzy style trackpoint. For the fuzzy trackpoints, I find that the best solution is to use pull the trackpoint cap off and clean it using an old discarded toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste then to wash really well after brushing well. Just be careful not to brush too hard as tat can also wear the fuzz off faster.

For the screen, a small amount of alcohol or streak free windex if really needed bu normally I use a rag damp in tap water to wipe the screen well (you have to have a dry rag handy to dry the screen off immediatley or there will be streaks) or just a dry rag to remove dust if there are no fingerprints or streaks on my screen.

Everything else: Rag lightly damp in Windex (or other household cleaner) and/or compressed air.

[GomJabbar]

Fairleigh Dickinson University - LCD cleaning FAQ

Samsung - LCD Cleaning FAQ