How do you clean dirty monitors and UPS?

I am not going to open the UPS up as I don't want to risk damaging it.  It appears there is just lot of dust there.  So lysol wipes are good idea then?

 

 

Thing that has me confused is people say soap and water and damp.  Is that the best option usually?  Is the safer option wipes such as wet ones or lysol wipes?  I know you shouldn't use lysol wipes on the screen but everyplace else is fine?

 

 

I also have some of those wipes for glasses and I use that on the monitor typically.  I want to clean each of these things before I bring it to another apartment.  So is lysol a safe solution or not?  Getting mixed replies here.  I have to move the items soon from the apartment.

Might just better to toss them if they have been exposed to mold

If they have been exposed to damp, you have a problem.

 

First, allow them to dry - totally. 

 

After they are bone dry, remove the dust by blowing and/or sucking. My preference if a hair dryer, as I'm too mean to buy cans of air, to achieve exactly the same effect. I'm a Scot, after all.

 

It has been said that the hot setting on a Hairdryer could damager your PC. However, any heat that was sufficient to damage your PC would fry your scalp.

A sponge made damp with a solution of pine-sol or lysol and water for the large and general areas that are easy to reach.

Lysol wipes for fine cavities and nooks or in other words for small places or tiny areas.

 

Yes I heard that about hair dryers too - some even go as far to say the solder joints are affected or damaged by the high heat, but that does seem to be doubtful too. I suppose if you concentrated the heat for a very  long period of time and on a specific area and stayed focused on that part, it may soften the solder, but it is highly doubtful  that you would do something like that.

Edited by 0lds0d, 28 June 2024 - 10:54 PM.

Okay so I went by to the apartment to check out my old monitors and the UPS.  

 

 

The 2 monitors I have, the screen is a bit dusty.  The side and the back especially however are very dusty.  Even the cable cord for each is dusty as well.  I do have a package of these walfort wet wipes for lens that you use on glasses but I had used these on my monitors previously without an issue below.  I used 2 of these wipes to wipe the screen and also a bit of the side of the monitors where there is dust and it removed the dust.  Now the back of these monitors have a ton of dust.  Would using these wipes be a good idea instead?  I notice it says these seem to be anti static which would work good for this situation?  I still have maybe 8 of these wipes left.  It seemed to do good job at cleaning my monitor screen which I have used previously before and remove a good amount of dust from the side of each monitor.  So should I use more of these exact wipes for the back of the monitor where there is ton of dust there?  It doesn't seem to leave much residue either.  I also have some regular wet one wipes and I could buy lysol wipes.  But don't do either of those?

 

 

https://www.amazon.com.mx/Walfort-Toallita-residuos-protectora-liquidos/dp/B09DDXBDT4/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KGaLnY_WKxbOYGbIcyyPYasudKZQMHWo0f5SJNWgnU2kO78ORFgHlYAPY8eX0JbdFsEAteqVLf9aHYyk9KOJrNWHrWuwgj0pPB2varvY9pTfpxqkIMRcdJKvl-rFJxLr0R9ZBkT-DBZ3sM-V4zrOAs-tSt5a1g-xYyJkd5BB05mt_wpVHzD0R0lPq3JzTZ1FQZPbxiCtySKmXk3BtafttzpSl0P5s-FmNgCpyTUHdClpf9gBIIicahLhAwgXDcyi33m4nABrio41fBLUoj5DLG5mHy6KBKYmjh-JGj5N-ck.Kl357s0X3JzHAv0A0Q7iIMXG6KQFMpT8kneXIxKQC3k&dib_tag=se&keywords=walfort+lens+wipes&qid=1719730774&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.242f5c11-6cfd-40d6-91f6-be3d1974080c

 

 

 

On to the UPS, there doesn't appear to be mold on it.  However, it is extremely dusty especially the side areas on the left and right side where when I took a paper towel and wiped the side of it and basically pushed some dust inside it.  That is not good right?  So I took a paper towel and wiped some dust off but many of it went inside it.  So I have to vacuum it or get a hair blowdryer for this?  So those walfort wipes for lens wouldn't work for this scenario?  The thing is I am going to bring all these things to a new apartment so I don't want to get the new apartment have dust or dirt etc.  It seems like cleaning the monitors the back of it with lot of dust would be simple with these wipes but for the UPS, what should I do?  Is there any risk bringing the UPS to another apartment if there is dust inside it?  I mean the dust does stay inside it right?  However, if you have fans or ac turned on, will the dust spread out of the UPS compartment into the apartment?  Then again, it's only dust right?

Edited by paulyjustin, 30 June 2024 - 02:20 AM.

It saddens me to find out that BC is NOT your favourite forum to ask those questions, so I'm not going to say that all electronic devices are dry so no mould can grow within them (if not these devices turn into fireworks).  I'm not going to say to use a heavy duty HEPA vacuum to remove the dust from those devices.  Finally, I'm not going to say that mould grow on humid surfaces like basement walls and old wood windows and need to be cleaned with bleach.

 

Edited by Dominique1, 30 June 2024 - 03:14 AM.

Fascinating: There appears to be zero understanding of the cleaning process.

 

Firstly: You clean the inside and, if it is likely to be dusty, you take it outdoors before you blow the dust out.

 

Secondly: You remove all loose dust from the surface, before you touch it with anything damp - regardless of what that product is.

 

Thirdly, and finally: you can clean the outer surfaces

Alas, "Zero understanding of the cleaning process" appears to sum up the OP's unfortunate predicament.

This has been going on for years, with no resolution or end in sight.

Sadly, the OP appears to be unable to accept any and all attempts here & at many other forums to provide informed assistance. One can appreciate how he might be overwhelmed by all the well-intentioned suggestions.

Moreover, he starts so many identical topics, he can't remember them:
https://linustechtips.com/topic/1574985-how-to-view-my-threads-created-in-profile/

But here are just a few of the *current* cross-posts:

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1574990-how-do-you-clean-dirty-monitors-and-ups/

https://www.tenforums.com/general-support/214135-how-do-you-clean-dirty-monitors-ups.html

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/how-do-you-clean-dirty-monitors-and-ups.26450/

---
Previous identical topics:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/789721/how-do-you-clean-laptopmonitor-screen/

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1531510-how-do-you-clean-laptopmonitor-screen/

----
Related: cables & keyboard

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/how-do-you-clean-dirty-charging-cables-and-keyboard.19751/

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1540578-how-do-you-clean-dirty-charging-cables-and-keyboard/

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/791345/how-do-you-clean-dirty-charging-cables-and-keyboard/

----
Related - other cleaning needed:

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1573011-toothbrush-sanitizer/

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1571013-how-to-clean-a-very-nasty-toilet/
(Note: this is identical to a topic at the same forum started 9 months earlier)

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1362116-how-to-remove-mold-from-walls/

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1540888-would-you-buy-a-new-electric-razorbodygroomer-if-it-dropped-on-a-very-disgusting-floor/

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1529115-how-do-you-clean-a-dirty-nasty-toilet/

One wonders if he might now be moving to a new apartment because the current one is now uninhabitable.

To be sure, it is @paulyjustin's prerogative to seek help in any forum he chooses.
To be sure, BC members are commendable for offering advice, even if @paulyjustin cannot accept or follow it.
If only @paulyjustin might seek definitive, professional, personal assistance for his many ongoing challenges.

Respectfully submitted

The only thing one could, perhaps, say in his favour, is that this year we have had fewer threads relating to overheating PCs.

"One wonders if he might now be moving to a new apartment because the current one is now uninhabitable."

 

Never pass judgement on others lest you be judged. Never judge a book by it's cover.

 

"If only @paulyjustin might seek definitive, professional, personal assistance for his many ongoing challenges.'

 

Which isn't to say that there is professional help already in place and it is in effect and he is attempting to cope as best as possible and yet he is locked in a struggle with life challenges.

This maybe a form of coping or attempting to overcome issues or struggles.

Hard to exactly say TBH, but some of people in this world do have struggles in this world that others simply do not have at all or could understand; and helping other people in need is always a form of kindness and that should never be discounted.

 

Edited by 0lds0d, 30 June 2024 - 08:29 AM.

Fascinating: There appears to be zero understanding of the cleaning process.

 

Firstly: You clean the inside and, if it is likely to be dusty, you take it outdoors before you blow the dust out.

 

Secondly: You remove all loose dust from the surface, before you touch it with anything damp - regardless of what that product is.

 

Thirdly, and finally: you can clean the outer surfaces

Have you ever wondered some people never deep clean their electronics or use a can of compressed air ever for their electronics?  The only thing they do is maybe use 70% alcohol or lysol or clorox wipes on their cables and keyboard and that is all and some wipes on their monitor?

 

 

I had desktops many years ago and never once used one of those cans.  I had many laptops and never used one.  The only time I notice the can of compressed air is when at a computer shop and notice the guy sprayed inside the laptop of the fans inside?  What you said about taking it outside isn't what I notice.  At a computer shop a while back, the shop owner used a can of spray inside someone's laptop while inside the business and not outside.

Edited by paulyjustin, 30 June 2024 - 02:00 PM.

"One wonders if he might now be moving to a new apartment because the current one is now uninhabitable."

 

Never pass judgement on others lest you be judged. Never judge a book by it's cover.

 

"If only @paulyjustin might seek definitive, professional, personal assistance for his many ongoing challenges.'

 

Which isn't to say that there is professional help already in place and it is in effect and he is attempting to cope as best as possible and yet he is locked in a struggle with life challenges.

This maybe a form of coping or attempting to overcome issues or struggles.

Hard to exactly say TBH, but some of people in this world do have struggles in this world that others simply do not have at all or could understand; and helping other people in need is always a form of kindness and that should never be discounted.

 

 

He knows a lot about electronics and cleaning and assumes most people know as well which is the issue.  

 

 

I am moving things from old apartment to new apartment so want to do my best to make sure the items I move are as clean as I could.  So with the monitors, I could wipe it with those walfort lens wipes it seems on the monitor screen and side and back and cable wire but just don't use it on the connectors.

 

 

But for the UPS, that is what I'm not sure about because I notice the dust there and have no can spray nor ever used one.  So I wanted to know is it fine for me to just bring my UPS to the new apartment as it is now... of course use a paper towel and wipe the vents of the UPS.  I do not even want to open the UPS myself.  I want to know can I just move my UPS to the new apartment which has dust inside the vents... is that the term?  And is that fine for now?  The thing is I have fans and AC turned on so want to know if that would be an issue or not as the dust would spread from the UPS?  Then again, this is normal as many people have dust in their UPS or desktop pc?  The difference here is with a laptop, you most likely have dust inside it but there is a cover to it.  There is like a vent for the UPS as that is the term?

If you keep a PC on the carpet (or close to the floor), smoke or have pets, there is a high possibility that its Cooling Fans will have sucked dust in to the works. It doesn't take a lot to reduce the efficiency of the Heat Exchangers.

 

You are procrastinating.

If you keep a PC on the carpet (or close to the floor), smoke or have pets, there is a high possibility that its Cooling Fans will have sucked dust in to the works. It doesn't take a lot to reduce the efficiency of the Heat Exchangers.

 

You are procrastinating.

I kept the UPS on the floor the whole time as there is no space on table for it. 

 

 

None of what you mentioned but there was mold around the area. 

I went to the old apartment and took lot of paper towel and wiped it. I used the walfort lens wipes on the cord and even near the interior of the cord where there was a lot of dust. That is fine right? I used it on the bottom of it as well.

 

Someone tells me if you have dust in your UPS, you have mold spores. Can anyone here confirm this? Are you saying if anyone has dust inside their equipment whether it's a UPS or desktop laptop where the inside is sort of visible from the sides, then you going to 100% have mold spores? Or you mean just in my situation because I said I think there might be mold in the UPS, then there is because there is dust? I had put the UPS in the old apartment on the floor as there wasn't enough space to put it on my older folding table. So when I put it on the folding table, it was dirty and I used walfort lens wipes and several paper towels. I didn't wet the paper towels


This is the one I have

 

https://www.amazon.com/CyberPower-CP1500AVRLCD-Intelligent-Outlets-Mini-Tower/dp/B000FBK3QK

 

 

If you click on the 360 degree picture of it and drag it around, notice how when you drag it to the side of each, there could be dust stuck in those things? I took a paper towel and just wiped any dust or paper stuck in it. However, in the picture... it doesn't appear the inside of the UPS is visible? When I was wiping multiple areas with a paper towel, I thought it was visible where dirt and other things went inside it?


I took it to the new apartment and just left it on the floor. There was a lot of dust around the cord as well especially the part of the cord that connects to the UPS so I used a walfort lens wipe on the cord and a paper towel from where the cord connects to the UPS. I think I might have used a bit of walfort lens wipe there as well. There is no issue with that right? I didn't connect the UPS to an outlet yet in the new apartment.


So will mold spores spread in general in the new apartment even without fans or AC turned on or if you turn it on, then spores will come out? Thing is lot of people desktop have dust though so those people have mold spores? Someone said as long as there is dust but no mold, then it's fine. But how you know if there is mold or not? You mean if it's visible? I did take some walfort lens wipes and even wiped the bottom of the UPS.


Is there a reason everyone says take it outside and use air to clean the interior? Then why do computer shops seem to do it on the inside then like when they open up your laptop and clean it with the compressed air? If you take a look at it, is it hard to open this UPS up? I don't even have a screwdriver or anything like that.


The thing that is confusing here is... is any dust I wiped earlier went inside the UPS? I thought if you wipe the dust, it either falls out or goes inside the UPS but the 360 degree picture shows there isn't anywhere for the dust to go inside the UPS from each of the sides?

Edited by paulyjustin, 01 July 2024 - 12:56 AM.

UPS rarely have Cooling Fans so, the likelihood of internal dust is low, although there may be some.

 

Dust in PCs: They have lots of fans sucking in air. Therefor, potentially, lots of dust.

 

Shop maintenance: when they open a PC, in your presence, and it's pretty clean, they will give it a quick spray with their Air Duster, just to justify their fee.

 

However, if they find something like this: dusty PC at DuckDuckGo they are not going to put that dust all over their workshop.

 

And you don't want it all over your sitting room, either.

Edited by wee-eddie, 01 July 2024 - 02:13 AM.