Laptops get dirty quickly, and that dirt can get everywhere: from the exterior to the screen, keyboard, and ports. The laptop you carry around collects dust (and crumbs and oils from your hands) with you. And that’s not just bad for aesthetics: dust or dirt that gets into the vents or fans can also lead to a decrease in performance. Dust that gets into a port can even render it unusable. A simple cleaning can save you a trip to the service center.

Chances are your laptop is pretty dirty if you look closely. But cleaning it and making it look fresh doesn’t take as long as you think. All you need is a cloth, some rubbing alcohol, and an air freshener.

Before cleaning your laptop, gather the following items.

First use a lint-free cloth, such as a microfibre cloth.