BleepingComputer.com: Need advice on how to clean monitor casing that has dust stuck on due to cigarette smoke

Hi!

I'm posting this here because I am in the hopes that people who work on monitors would give me the safest and best way to remove the dust stuck on by cigarette smoke from the monitor casing which has vents in the top and sides.

I have an older monitor, a gateway EV700. The type with the tubes and big as a tv.

The problem is that I can not just vacuum the dust off as the dust is stuck on due to cigarette smoke.

I was wondering if someone can tell me how to safely wash this dust off the plastic casing. I also am concerned that this not go into the vents. There are vents on the top and sides.

After removing the dust (from your advice on me how to) I am not sure if I can do anything about the vent holes themselves which also are pretty dusty.

I can't move this nor have anyone to move it so whatever I do I need to do with monitor sitting where it is.

Thank you for your help!

I cannot think of a way without getting some dust in the vents
A little dust won't hurt the insides

garmanma, on Nov 20 2009, 12:57 PM, said:

Hi and thank you for your reply!

I forgot to ask this in my post above;

Do you know if I have to keep it unplugged a long time before I start cleaning it? I am worried about the possibility of getting shocked.

I've always been afraid of cleaning anything electronic, hence why the dust build up is so bad.

Thank you for your help!

The location of the storage capacitor should be pretty well out of the way, where the monitor case will provide adequate protection from shock

If your cleaning the screen and its glass use a good quality window cleaner with Amonia. If its the case your worried about use either window cleaner, if that doesn't work you can try GooGone or any citrus based cleaner lastly you can try Easy off Max (It contains Sodium Hydroxide [lye]) be careful with the oven cleaner as its caustic and corrosive, spray it on a towel and wipe the plastic. After using the oven cleaner wipe the monitor with a rag dampen with water.