KEEP YOUR ELECTRONICS CLEAN
A microfibre cloth & mild soap solution can work wonders for a flat surface, but most electronics also have nooks and crannies that need special cleaning equipment
Air Blower
A simple air blower costs just 500 but has several uses. The most common use is to blow the dust out from a desktop computer cabinet, but you can also use it to clean out set top boxes, TV cabinets, laptops, gaming consoles, projectors and various items around the house. If you plan on using the blower with an electronic item, make sure that you unplug the mains power first. It's also a good idea to take the device out in the open and use some sort of protection for your eyes, nose and mouth. You can buy an air blower from any computer market.
A simple air blower costs just 500 but has several uses. The most common use is to blow the dust out from a desktop computer cabinet, but you can also use it to clean out set top boxes, TV cabinets, laptops, gaming consoles, projectors and various items around the house. If you plan on using the blower with an electronic item, make sure that you unplug the mains power first. It's also a good idea to take the device out in the open and use some sort of protection for your eyes, nose and mouth. You can buy an air blower from any computer market.
Camera Blower
Image quality in a DSLR can be affected by dust on the image sensor. Your sensor is more prone to dust if you regularly swap lenses. Many cameras have built in ultrasonic sensor cleaning systems, but these can only dislodge small dust particles. The best way to remove larger dust particles is to get a handheld air blower ( 150 onwards). Lock the mirror up, hold the DSLR with the sensor facing downwards, point the nozzle of the air blower at the sensor (do not touch the sensor with it) and rapidly squeeze the blower bulb. Done in this way, dust will not settle back on the sensor nor go deeper inside the camera. Note that it is not recommended to clean a DSLR sensor with a cloth.
Image quality in a DSLR can be affected by dust on the image sensor. Your sensor is more prone to dust if you regularly swap lenses. Many cameras have built in ultrasonic sensor cleaning systems, but these can only dislodge small dust particles. The best way to remove larger dust particles is to get a handheld air blower ( 150 onwards). Lock the mirror up, hold the DSLR with the sensor facing downwards, point the nozzle of the air blower at the sensor (do not touch the sensor with it) and rapidly squeeze the blower bulb. Done in this way, dust will not settle back on the sensor nor go deeper inside the camera. Note that it is not recommended to clean a DSLR sensor with a cloth.
Cyber Clean
Cyber Clean is one of the most effective (but expensive) ways to keep various electronics clean. This non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning compound ( 250 for a 75 gram pack) is made from a patented Swiss formula that not just cleans but also kills germs. It's a jellylike compound that can reach deep crevices and corners of any device because it moulds itself to the shape of the object to pick up dust and debris. It works great for cleaning remotes, keyboards, phones, tablets and other gadgets with tight components that are not easy to clean. A change in colour indicates when Cyber Clean is no longer effective. The best part about Cyber Clean is that all dirt is absorbed — nothing gets on your hands.
Cyber Clean is one of the most effective (but expensive) ways to keep various electronics clean. This non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning compound ( 250 for a 75 gram pack) is made from a patented Swiss formula that not just cleans but also kills germs. It's a jellylike compound that can reach deep crevices and corners of any device because it moulds itself to the shape of the object to pick up dust and debris. It works great for cleaning remotes, keyboards, phones, tablets and other gadgets with tight components that are not easy to clean. A change in colour indicates when Cyber Clean is no longer effective. The best part about Cyber Clean is that all dirt is absorbed — nothing gets on your hands.
CD Lens Cleaner
The easiest way to clean the lens of a CD/DVD player is with a lens cleaner disc. You'll know that your CD/DVD player needs cleaning if it skips or takes longer than usual to start playing. The cleaning disc has brushes on the underside & guides you through the cleaning. Note that it's good practice to leave a disc inside your player to prevent dust from settling on the lens.
The easiest way to clean the lens of a CD/DVD player is with a lens cleaner disc. You'll know that your CD/DVD player needs cleaning if it skips or takes longer than usual to start playing. The cleaning disc has brushes on the underside & guides you through the cleaning. Note that it's good practice to leave a disc inside your player to prevent dust from settling on the lens.
Screen Wipes
It doesn't take long for any kind of screen to get dirty — which in turn affects the image quality. Good quality screen wipes will cost you about 500 for a box of 200 wipes. The wipes hold a specially formulated solution that dries fast and does not leave a residue. Each wipe can be used till it is damp — you can safely use wipes on TV screens, LCD/CRT computer monitors, tablets, cellphones and mp3 players. Make sure that you do not put excessive pressure on the screen while wiping. Note that it is not recommended to use regular wet wipes on screens.
It doesn't take long for any kind of screen to get dirty — which in turn affects the image quality. Good quality screen wipes will cost you about 500 for a box of 200 wipes. The wipes hold a specially formulated solution that dries fast and does not leave a residue. Each wipe can be used till it is damp — you can safely use wipes on TV screens, LCD/CRT computer monitors, tablets, cellphones and mp3 players. Make sure that you do not put excessive pressure on the screen while wiping. Note that it is not recommended to use regular wet wipes on screens.
CD/DVD Scratch Remover
CD and DVDs tend to build up scratches over use. At some point, the scratches can start causing read errors, skipped tracks or jolts/pops while playing. When this happens, you can try cleaning the disc with Brasso in straight strokes from the inside to the outside. If that fails, a CD/DVD scratch remover ( 900) may be the only solution. Spray the provided liquid solution onto the disc's readable (silver) side and place it in the cleaning tool. The cleaning tool has a material that effectively buffs out scratches when used in conjunction with the solution. Note that a disc can be buffed in this way for a limited number of times.
CD and DVDs tend to build up scratches over use. At some point, the scratches can start causing read errors, skipped tracks or jolts/pops while playing. When this happens, you can try cleaning the disc with Brasso in straight strokes from the inside to the outside. If that fails, a CD/DVD scratch remover ( 900) may be the only solution. Spray the provided liquid solution onto the disc's readable (silver) side and place it in the cleaning tool. The cleaning tool has a material that effectively buffs out scratches when used in conjunction with the solution. Note that a disc can be buffed in this way for a limited number of times.
Lenspen
A lenspen ( 400 onwards) is a great tool to remove smudges and fingerprints from camera lenses. It can also be used to clean other optical elements of DLSRs (like the mirror and sensor), binoculars, telescopes and microscopes. A typical Lenspen has a retractable soft brush on one side — used to remove dust particles from the surface. The other end has a smooth cleaning surface with a unique cleaning compound that does not dry or spill out. For effective cleaning, it is recommended that you use it in a circular motion — start from the centre and move outwards. Putting the cap back on the Lenspen recharges the cleaning tip.
A lenspen ( 400 onwards) is a great tool to remove smudges and fingerprints from camera lenses. It can also be used to clean other optical elements of DLSRs (like the mirror and sensor), binoculars, telescopes and microscopes. A typical Lenspen has a retractable soft brush on one side — used to remove dust particles from the surface. The other end has a smooth cleaning surface with a unique cleaning compound that does not dry or spill out. For effective cleaning, it is recommended that you use it in a circular motion — start from the centre and move outwards. Putting the cap back on the Lenspen recharges the cleaning tip.
Screen Cleaning Kit
Many households have multiple screens now — televisions, LCD monitors, phones/tablets, laptops and so on. Screens (especially touchscreens) are dirt and fingerprint magnets that need to be cleaned frequently for optimal performance. However, wiping them with any cloth could lead to micro scratches. Get any commercially available screen-cleaning kit ( 150 onwards) for the job. Most kits include a cleaning liquid and microfiber cloth — some also include a soft brush. Use the brush to remove dust and debris from the screen. Spray the cleaning liquid, taking care that the solution does not drip into sensitive components and use the microfiber cloth in small gentle circular motions.
Many households have multiple screens now — televisions, LCD monitors, phones/tablets, laptops and so on. Screens (especially touchscreens) are dirt and fingerprint magnets that need to be cleaned frequently for optimal performance. However, wiping them with any cloth could lead to micro scratches. Get any commercially available screen-cleaning kit ( 150 onwards) for the job. Most kits include a cleaning liquid and microfiber cloth — some also include a soft brush. Use the brush to remove dust and debris from the screen. Spray the cleaning liquid, taking care that the solution does not drip into sensitive components and use the microfiber cloth in small gentle circular motions.
Karan Bajaj & Hitesh Raj BhagatET120611
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