| How to Clean a Laptop Keyboard Posted: 11 Jan 2019 04:00 PM PST If you don't clean it regularly, your laptop keyboard can get pretty grimy over time. Oils from your fingers can create a residue on the tops of the keys, and crumbs, dust, and pet hair can build up in the crevices on the keyboard. If you're concerned about the cleanliness of your keyboard, don't worry! It's easy to clean it out yourself. There are even steps you can take to minimize the damage if you spill a drink on your keyboard! EditDoing a Basic Keyboard Cleaning - Turn off and unplug your laptop before you do any cleaning. Even though you won't be putting liquids directly onto your laptop, you should turn the power off completely to make sure nothing gets damaged if a little moisture does get inside. Shut the laptop down through the Power Options menu, then remove the power cord.[1]
- In addition to protecting you from shock, turning off the power means you won't accidentally send a garbled email to your boss!
- Tilt the laptop upside down and gently tap or shake it. This will dislodge any big dust bunnies, crumbs, or other debris that's hiding in your keyboard crevices. By getting the big stuff out first, it will be easier to do more detailed cleaning later on.[2]
- Spray between the keys with compressed air to remove dust. Make sure the straw is attached to the can of compressed air before you use it. Tilt the keyboard to one side and spray between the keys in short bursts, moving from one side of the keyboard to the other. The force of the air will dislodge any debris that's trapped between and beneath the keys.[3]
- You can find compressed air at stores that sell home and office supplies.
- Never spray the compressed air while you're holding the can upside down, as this can cause propellant to get into the keyboard, damaging the components inside.
- Wipe down the keys with a damp microfiber cloth. Microfiber is great at attracting dust, so a quick swipe over the keys can help remove some of the grime that has built up on your keyboard. If you need to, you can lightly dampen the cloth with a little water, but be sure to wring it out completely and only clean the tops of the keys so you don't get moisture inside of the laptop.[4]
- Remove stubborn grime with a cotton ball dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Alcohol evaporates quickly, making it a safer alternative to using water on your laptop. In addition, alcohol is especially good at removing the oily residue left by your fingers. Just be sure to always apply the alcohol to the cotton ball first, and never pour it directly onto the keyboard.[5]
- Kill germs by wiping down the keys with a disinfecting wipe. If you're concerned about germs, like after you've gotten over a cold or if you're using a shared computer, you can run a disinfecting wipe over the surface of the keys. However, do not use wipes with bleach in them, as these can damage the protective coating on the keys.[6]
EditRemoving the Keys - Search for your laptop model online to find out if the keys come off. On some laptop models, the keycaps can be gently pried off, giving you access to the surface beneath the keys. However, the keycaps on some laptops are permanently attached. Do an online search to determine if, and how, the keys can be removed.
- Remove the keys only if you really need to clean underneath them. Even if they're removable, keycaps are held in place by small plastic tabs that can break easily. To avoid damaging your keyboard, you should avoid removing your keys unless your keyboard is especially grimy.[7]
- Take a picture of the keys before you remove them. This will ensure you don't forget where the keys go when it's time to put them back! While it might be easy to remember the order of the number and letter keys, your keyboard likely has special characters and function keys, and it can be easy to get these confused.[8]
- Pry off the keys with a small, flat tool. Slip the edge of the tool beneath the bottom of the key and gently pry upwards. The keycap should pop off easily. If it doesn't, don't force it, or you might permanently damage your keyboard.[9]
- Be sure to place the keycaps in a shallow bowl or another container so you don't accidentally lose them.
- You can purchase a toolkit from an electronics supply store that comes equipped with small plastic or metal pieces that are perfect for slipping beneath your laptop keys. If you don't have one of these, you can use a flathead screwdriver, a butterknife, or even your fingernail.
- Wipe beneath the keys with a microfiber cloth or a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Since the inner workings of your laptop will be more exposed without the keycap in place, avoid using any liquid to clean under your keys. If you do have to tackle a sticky mess, dip a cotton swab in a little rubbing alcohol and carefully wipe away the spot.[10]
- Replace the keycaps. Place each keycap over its designated space, making sure the sides are properly aligned. Starting with the bottom edge, gently press the key down until you feel it pop into place.
EditCleaning a Liquid Spill - Turn off the power to your laptop and remove the battery immediately. Disconnect the power cord right away and hold down the power button until your laptop goes off. If liquid touches the electrical components inside of your computer, it can be permanently damaged. By working quickly, you'll help minimize the risk of electrical damage.[11]
- If the laptop starts to smoke or steam, or you see bubbling or bulging, don't touch it. You could be seriously burned or suffer an electrical shock.[12]
- Even if you get the laptop dry, residue from sugary, acidic, or alcoholic drinks may still be present, and that residue may affect the functionality of your keyboard in the future.
- Turn the laptop upside down over a towel. Open the laptop as wide as you can, turn it face down, and set it on top of a towel or another absorbent material. By flipping the laptop over, you are allowing gravity to pull the moisture away from the motherboard and other electrical components.[13]
- Blot away as much of the liquid as you can right away. If you have a microfiber or lint-free cloth on hand, use that to dry the laptop. However, you're racing against time, so if you don't have one of those handy, just grab whatever is closest to you, whether that's a dish towel, paper towels, or even an old T-shirt. Dry any liquid that you can see on the surface of the laptop.[14]
- Leave your laptop propped up to dry for 1-2 days. There's no way to rush this process. Even if the laptop looks dry from the outside, moisture could be trapped inside. To be safe, give the keyboard a minimum of 24 hours to dry before you try to turn it on again.[15]
- Take your laptop for professional cleaning if the liquid was sugary. If you splashed a little water into the keyboard, you're probably fine, but if you spilled a large, sugary drink and it's an expensive laptop, consider having a professional break down your laptop and clean inside. Professional cleaning can run upward of $500, but it can be worth it if you have a lot of money invested in your laptop.[16]
- If you're familiar with electronics, you can take it apart yourself and clean inside, but some laptops can only be dismantled with special tools that you might not have on hand.
- Replace the battery and turn on the laptop once it's dried completely. This will be the moment of truth. If your laptop doesn't work at all, give it another 24 hours to dry out. If your operating system boots up but the keyboard doesn't work, you can replace the keyboard or use a USB keyboard.[17]
- Try running a sticky note between the keys of your keyboard to collect crumbs and dust.
- If you use water to clean your keys, be sure to put the water onto the cloth or cleaning tool, and never pour it directly onto the keyboard.
- Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive materials to clean your laptop, or you could remove the coating that keeps the letters on your keys from fading.
- Be safe! If you spill liquid in your laptop and you see or smell anything burning, or you feel heat, stay clear of the device.[18]
EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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| How to Find Cat Urine With a UV Light Posted: 11 Jan 2019 08:00 AM PST The smell of cat urine is strong and unpleasant, but the stains can sometimes be hard to find! Luckily, you don't have to rely on your nose alone to help you find the source of the odor. Instead, try using a UV light, also known as a black light. If you shine the light in a dark room, cat urine will glow yellow or green, making it easy to see exactly where you need to clean. Once you find the spot, neutralize the urine with an enzyme cleaner! EditLocating the Urine - Purchase or borrow a UV light between 365-385 nm. For the best results, look for a handheld LED light with 9-12 bulbs. It should be rated between 365-385 nm, which stands for nanometers. A lower rating won't be strong enough to light up the cat urine, and a higher rating is too similar to natural light to have an effect.[1]
- You can find these lights online or at a local home improvement store.
- You can also find UV lights with fluorescent bulbs. As long as it's rated between 365-385 nm, this will work as well, although the LED lights tend to be stronger.
- Wait until evening and get the room as dark as possible. While you could try to draw all the curtains in the room as tightly as possible, it will be easier to wait until it gets dark outside before you try to use the UV light. When you're ready to start looking, turn off the lights in the room, as well as the lights in any adjacent rooms or hallways.[2]
- If the room isn't dark enough, your eyes won't be able to detect the glowing urine.
- Go to the area where you suspect the urine is located and turn on the UV light. Typically, the urine spot will be somewhere in the area where you can smell it, although sometimes you'll have to look around a little before you find it. To make the search more efficient, start searching near where you think the cat may have urinated, then work outward.[3]
- Look for a glowing yellow or neon green spot. When the UV light comes into contact with the urine, it should start to glow. Depending on how much urine there was, and where it is located, the stain may look like a spot, puddle, splatter, or drips.[4]
- For example, if your male cat sprayed to mark his territory on the wall, it may look like a splatter, with a few drips running down the wall. If the cat peed on the floor, you might just see a large round-ish spot.
- Some cleaning products and other household materials, including wallpaper glue, may glow under a blacklight, so don't panic if your whole room lights up when you turn on the UV light.
- Other substances, including some bodily fluids and tonic water, may also glow. Use the location, size, shape, and smell of the spots to determine if it's cat urine.[5]
- Sweep the light back and forth, checking various surfaces. Cats may sometimes urinate on a variety of different surfaces, so don't just check the floor. Slowly move the light from side to side, checking along the walls and door frames, on top of and on the sides of furniture, and on any bedding in the area.[6]
- If you don't spot the stain right away, slowly move outward from the source of the odor.
- Mark the edges of the stain so you'll know where to find it. It can be hard to remember exactly the size and shape of the stain when the lights come back on. To ensure you know exactly where you're supposed to clean, use something like tape or chalk to mark a perimeter around the stain.[7]
- It's a good idea to clean further outside of the stain than what you can actually see, in case the stain soaked in and spread out, so don't worry about perfectly defining the edges. Just make a small mark at the top, bottom, and sides of the stain so you'll remember where it was.
EditCleaning the Spot - Try to find and clean the stain as soon as you can. It's not always possible, but the sooner you can get the stain clean, the better your results will be. If you smell cat urine and you can't find the stain during the daylight hours, try to use the UV light to locate the spot that same evening.[8]
- Cat urine will smell stronger as it breaks down. It will also be harder to clean once it's set in.
- Saturate the stain with soapy water if it's possible. If the stain is somewhere that's safe to get wet, like your carpet, mix a few drops of dish soap into warm water, then blot the water over the entire stain. Leave it there for about an hour. This will help to loosen the crystals from the cat urine.[9]
- Blot away the stain with a damp cloth. Once the soapy water has had enough time to penetrate the stain, blot at the area with a damp, clean cloth. Work from the outside in to avoid spreading the cat urine out past its original spot.[10]
- If you're trying to clean something that can't get wet, like leather or wood, skip soaking the area and just blot away as much of the stain as you can with the damp cloth. Let the area dry completely.
- Spray the area with an enzyme cleaner and let it sit for 20 minutes. There are a number of different cleaning products available on the market for use around the home, but to completely neutralize the urine, you'll need an enzyme cleaner. Saturate the area completely, remembering to apply the cleaner beyond the edges of the stain in case it spread as it soaked in. Directions may vary, but typically these sprays don't need to be wiped away.[11]
- You can find enzymatic cleaners at pet supply or home improvement stores, or you can even make your own if you want to.
- Be sure to read the directions on the product you're using to make sure it's safe for the surface you need to clean. You may also want to spray a little of the cleaner on an inconspicuous area to make sure it won't damage the finish of whatever you're cleaning. Enzyme cleaners are typically gentle compared to other cleaning products.
- You can find powdered enzyme cleaners if the item you're cleaning can't get wet.
EditThings You'll Need - Blacklight
- Damp cloth
- Dish soap
- Water
- Bowl or bucket
- Enzyme cleaner
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Grow Tulips in Pots Posted: 11 Jan 2019 12:00 AM PST Tulips make for a beautiful indoor or outdoor potted plant that can bloom yearly if planted and cared for correctly. To grow tulips in pots, you'll need the right pot, soil, and approach. Because tulips need to be dormant for 12-16 weeks before they can bloom, you'll need to expose them to cool temperatures to replicate the weather in the fall. If done properly, your tulips will bloom in the spring or summer and can make a beautiful addition to your decor. EditPlanting Tulip Bulbs - Use a pot that's at least in diameter with drainage holes. Your pot should be anywhere from deep. It's important that the pot you get has drainage holes in it. Larger pots will be able to hold more tulip bulbs, which will create a fuller pot of flowers. You can purchase plastic, ceramic, or terracotta pots to plant tulips.[1]
- A pot can hold anywhere from 2-9 tulip bulbs.
- A pot that is in diameter will be able to hold approximately 25 medium-sized tulip bulbs.
- Drainage holes are important so that water doesn't pool on the bottom of the pot and rot the bulbs.
- Fill the pot halfway with a perlite and vermiculite potting mix. Purchase a porous, fast-draining soil from a home and gardening store or online. Perlite and vermiculite potting mixtures are great mediums for tulips. Work outside and carefully pour the bag of potting mix into the pot.[2]
- Potting soil is often better than the soil you can get in your yard or garden because it will retain moisture better, it's filled with nutrients that promote growth, and it will have better drainage.
- Push the bulbs into the soil, spacing the bulbs apart. Place the bulbs up against the inside edge of the pot first, then move your way towards the center of the pot. Push the flat side of the bulbs deep enough into the soil to hold them in place.[3]
- The pointed end of the bulb should be facing up.
- Planting more bulbs will result in more flowers, but it will increase the competition for nutrients and water. If you're crowding the bulbs, be sure to water and apply fertilizer regularly.
- Cover the bulbs with of soil. Use the same potting soil that you used before to completely cover the bulbs. If you are putting the pots in an area that may be open to animals like squirrels, you can attach a wire grid over the top of the pots to prevent them from eating the bulbs before the tulips bloom.[4]
- Consider adding additional bulbs for a layered effect. If you want your tulips to be different heights, or just want more tulips in your pots, you can layer bulbs on top of each other. To do this, simply cover the top layer of bulbs with of soil, then plant another layer of bulbs above the first layer before covering them with potting soil. When the bulbs bloom, they will fill up the entire pot.
- Cover the top layer of bulbs with of soil.
- You can plant the second layer of bulbs directly over the first layer.
- Water the soil once the bulbs are planted. Water the soil thoroughly once you have planted the bulbs. Excess water should drain out of the drainage holes on the bottom of your pot.[5]
- If you are keeping the bulbs inside you'll have to water them approximately 2-3 times per week.
- If you are keeping the bulbs outside and there is regular rainfall, you don't have to water them. If there is a drought, water them 2-3 times per week.
- Leave the bulbs in a cool area for 12-16 weeks. Leave the pots in a spare refrigerator or a cellar that maintains a temperature of . Tulips need to go through their dormancy phase in order to bloom in the spring. In order for this to happen, they must be exposed to colder temperatures.[6]
- Keep the bulbs in a place with consistent temperatures without risk of freezing and thawing. Temperature changes will cause the bulb to rot.
- If you are keeping the pots outside, it's best to plant the bulbs when the temperature outside is .
- If you purchased bulbs that are pre-chilled, you can skip this step.
- Move the tulips to an area that's at least . After the tulips go through the dormancy phase, they will bloom if given the proper conditions. If you're keeping the tulips inside, move them next to a window or another area that gets sunlight. If you're moving the pots outside, make sure that the temperature has warmed up to at least .[7]
- If it's and you are keeping your tulips outside, put the pots under a shaded area like under a tree or awning.
- Wait 1-3 weeks for your tulips to start blooming. Tulips should start blooming when the outside temperatures reach . Different species of tulips bloom at different times a year, so read the packaging on the bulbs you've purchased so you can plant them accordingly.[8]
- Double early, fosteriana, kaufmanniana, greigii, and single early tulips will typically bloom earlier in the year.
- Darwin hybrid, fringed, triumph, and lily flowered tulips are mid-season bloomers.
- Parrot, single Late, viridiflora and double late bloom later in the season.[9]
EditCaring for Tulips - Water the tulips when the top of soil is dry. You'll want to water the soil regularly to make sure that it's moist, but not soggy. To check this, occasionally poke your finger into the soil and water the soil if it's dry.[10]
- If you are keeping the pots outside, only water the bulbs if it doesn't rain for over a week.
- Continue watering the bulbs during the dormancy phase.
- Keep the tulips in an area that gets sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. Tulips need sunlight but don't do well in extremely high temperatures. For this reason, keep them out of direct sunlight during the spring and summer. If you're keeping the tulips inside, place them next to a window so that they can get enough sun every day.[11]
- You can keep your pots under the partial shade of a tree or under an awning to keep them out of direct sunlight.
- The soil in a pot will often get hotter than the soil in a yard or garden.
- Avoid using dark-colored pots, since they will absorb the sunlight and increase the soil temperature.
- Remove any fallen petals or leaves from the pot. Let the petals and leaves on the tulips turn yellow for 6 weeks before plucking them from the flower. If the petals or leaves fall off, remove them from the pot to prevent rot to the rest of the bulb.[12]
- Removing dead petals will encourage the tulips to bloom again the next year.
- Discard any tulips that develop diseases or are infested with pests. If the tulips are stunted in growth or exhibit brown or yellow patches over them, it's likely they have a disease or may be infested with pests like nematodes. To prevent the disease from spreading, dig up the bulbs of any tulips that exhibit these signs of sickness and throw them away.[13]
- Prevent squirrels and other animals from eating your tulips by keeping them indoors, putting a wire mesh over the soil, or fencing them in.
- Common tulip diseases include basal rot, root rot, and tulip fire, a fungal disease.
- Do not plant tulip bulbs that have white fungus on them, because it can spread and hurt the rest of the tulips in your pot.
- Bring the tulips inside if the temperature goes below freezing. If the temperature dips below (), it could freeze the soil in your pot and kill your tulips for good. To avoid this, transport the tulips to a room that maintains a temperature of , such as the garage or basement.[14]
- You can bring the tulips back outside in the late fall or early spring of the next year.
- Replace the potting soil in the pots every year. Dig up the tulip bulbs with a garden spade carefully, making sure not to damage the bulbs. Then, empty out your pots and replace the old potting soil with new soil. This will give bulbs nutrients, will promote growth, and increase the chances of the tulips reblooming the next growing season.[15]
- If you are removing your bulbs off-season, store them in a cool and dark place, like a refrigerator, until you're ready to plant them.
- Use a quality potting mix with compost and fertilize it throughout the year if you don't want to replace the soil every year. All you have to do is top dress the soil with compost just before the growing season.
EditSources and Citations
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