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How the Heck Do You Spring Clean Your Tech?

Spring is the perfect time to refresh, renew, and revive your hardware and digital environments for a fresh start. Just as you might clean and declutter your home, thoroughly tidying your tech devices and digital spaces is essential throughout the year. We compiled a quick guide to help you spring clean your tech, ensuring optimal device performance and safer, clutter-free physical and digital storage spaces.

Physical Device Cleaning

  • Clean Screens Safely: Gently wipe your device screens with a microfiber cloth moistened with distilled water. Avoid using paper towels or harsh chemicals, which may damage the screen coatings.
  • Tidy Keyboards and Ports: Turn off your device and use compressed air to remove debris from between the keyboard keys. For charging ports, gently scrape out lint using a wooden or plastic toothpick with a dull edge, taking care not to damage any internal components.
  • Wash Your Wearables: Gently clean your headphones or earbuds with a soft cloth. You can also purchase cleaning kits specifically designed for your headphones (AirPods, for example). Soak washable smart watch bands in hot water and gentle detergent.
  • Maintain Mice and Trackpads: Turn off Bluetooth mice and keyboards, then gently shake them to dislodge dust and crumbs. For trackpads, use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean the surface.

Digital Decluttering

  • Organize Files and Folders: Sort through your digital files, deleting or archiving those you no longer need. Organize remaining files into clearly labeled folders for easy access.
  • Uninstall Unused Apps: Review your installed applications and remove those you no longer use. This frees up storage space and can improve device performance.
  • Clear Browser Cache and Cookies: Regularly clearing your browser's cache and cookies can enhance browsing speed and protect your privacy.
  • Delete Unneeded Text Messages and Photos: Reclaim storage space and simplify navigation in your camera roll and devices.
  • Archive or Delete Old Emails: Review your email account(s) and clean out your inbox folders of unnecessary messages. Empty the trash folder and archive any emails in your inbox that you wish to keep for future access. Assess your email folders and filters to determine if your inbox sorting system needs a refresh.
  • Delete or Cancel Unused Accounts: Review your online accounts and close any that you no longer need or use. By reducing unnecessary account clutter, you can minimize the number of places and ways your identity and data may be at risk.
  • Cancel Email Subscription Lists: Unsubscribe from unnecessary email lists. Opting out of all the email mailing lists that no longer serve or interest you is an excellent way to reclaim digital storage space and ease the burden of managing email folders in the future.
  • Delete Your Duplicates of Duplicates: Keeping copies of important files stored in various locations can help ensure that information remains safe and accessible. However, storing multiple copies of the same file in one location wastes space and may create inconsistencies when others access different versions of the original file.

Sustainable Tech Practices

  • Recycle Old Devices and Accessories Responsibly: Gather broken and discarded cords, charging blocks, and devices from your technology “junk drawer” and other locations. Rather than throwing away old electronics, recycle them through certified e-waste programs. This practice helps to minimize environmental impact.
  • Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products: Choose cleaning products that are safe for your devices and the environment. Steer clear of harsh chemicals that can be harmful to both.

Routine Maintenance Tips

  • Update Software Regularly: Keep your operating system and applications up-to-date to benefit from the latest features and security patches. Accept new security patches immediately and develop a schedule of four to six weeks to proactively check for system and software updates if you don’t have devices set to apply updates automatically.
  • Backup Important Data: To avoid data loss, regularly back up your important files to an external drive or cloud storage.

Following these steps to keep your technology and data clean, organized, and secure helps ensure they remain in top condition and provide a smooth, efficient user experience. Happy spring cleaning!