Use alcohol to clean your computer: Mistakes can damage the device

(Dan Tri) - Isopropyl alcohol is often used to clean computer components. However, choosing the wrong concentration or using it on unsuitable surfaces can cause damage to the device.

Dirt, fingerprints or old thermal paste cause many people to turn to alcohol as a computer cleaning solution. Among them, isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is used quite commonly thanks to its ability to clean and evaporate quickly.

Isopropyl alcohol is often used to clean electronic components thanks to its ability to clean and evaporate quickly (Photo: Shutterstock).

However, according to BGR, not all isopropyl alcohol bottles are the same. Concentration and location of use are two factors that need special attention if cleaning does not accidentally cause harm to the device.

Not every type of alcohol is suitable

Isopropyl alcohol on the market often appears in concentrations such as 70%, 91% or 99%. This number represents the percentage of alcohol in the solution, the remainder is mainly water.

For example, 70% isopropyl alcohol contains about 30% water. Meanwhile, the 91% and 99% types have significantly lower water content.

Adding water causes the solution to evaporate more slowly, a property that is useful for some disinfection purposes but needs to be considered when cleaning electronic components.

Isopropyl alcohol has many different concentrations, of which high purity types are often more suitable when cleaning electronic components (Photo: Shutterstock).

According to BGR, for tasks such as removing old thermal paste or cleaning the heatsink and circuit board, isopropyl alcohol with a high purity of 91% or higher is more suitable because it contains little water and evaporates quickly.

On the contrary, if a solution with a high water content is used, moisture may remain on the component after the alcohol has evaporated. Turning on the machine when the device is not completely dry risks causing a short circuit. In the long term, residual water can also promote corrosion of metal components.

This does not mean that the higher the concentration of alcohol, the better in all cases. High concentrations of isopropyl alcohol can still affect some materials, especially soft plastics or rubber.

Therefore, users should not use one type of solution for all parts of the computer.

Locations should not be arbitrarily wiped with alcohol

The screen is one of the areas that requires the most caution.

Many computer monitors are equipped with surface coatings to prevent glare or serve other protective purposes. According to BGR, isopropyl alcohol can affect these coatings.

Therefore, pouring alcohol directly onto the screen and then wiping, especially without checking the manufacturer's instructions, can cause the surface coating to deteriorate.

Isopropyl alcohol is also unsuitable for some other materials such as transparent plastics, including acrylic, soft plastics, some glues and rubber. These are all materials that can appear in many locations on computers and accessories.

Users need to be cautious when using alcohol on screens, plastic and surfaces with protective coatings (Photo: Getty Images).

The information page suggests that 70% alcohol is more suitable for some purposes of disinfecting or cleaning compatible external surfaces, such as some types of buttons or mice.

Meanwhile, for areas directly related to electrical circuits, this technology site recommends using a type with at least 91% purity.

However, this should not be considered a rule that applies to all devices. Computers use a variety of materials and coatings, so the manufacturer's cleaning instructions should still prevail.

Another important rule is not to clean components while the computer is still running or powered.

What to do if you accidentally use the wrong type of alcohol?

If an inappropriate solution has been used, turning on the machine immediately to check may make the situation more serious.

First, turn off the power to the device and let the components dry completely. If there is any residual solution on the surface, users can gently blot it with a lint-free towel instead of continuing to rub. Fans can be used to aid the drying process.

This tech page suggests a wait time of at least 24 hours before power is restored. In case you want to be more cautious, the waiting time can be extended up to 72 hours. Actual time depends on the amount of liquid, contact location and environmental conditions.

The computer needs to be unplugged and allowed to dry completely before turning it back on if components come into contact with cleaning solution (Photo: studioroman).

Notably, BGR also does not recommend placing the device in rice to absorb moisture. Instead, the important goal is to allow the liquid to evaporate and the device to dry completely before being energized again.

Isopropyl alcohol is still a useful cleaning agent during computer maintenance if used properly. However, a concentration suitable for the motherboard is not necessarily safe for the screen, plastic or outer coating.

Therefore, before using alcohol to clean any part, users should identify the material to be cleaned, disconnect the device's power, and check the manufacturer's instructions.

A seemingly simple operation can have consequences if the cleaning solution is used in the wrong place or the device is turned on while still damp.