How to Take Care of Your Laptop: 10 Essential Tips

These tips are designed to give your device the best chance of living a long, useful life — even after you've finished working with it. By looking after your laptop properly, you’re helping us ensure it can be refurbished and reused to the highest standards. Here’s how to become the greatest tech superhero of all time:

🍕 Keep food and drinks away from your device
Crumbs and spills are the enemy of a long-lasting laptop. Take your lunch away from your device and give both you and your tech a well-deserved break.

If you like to keep a drink nearby (hydration = hero fuel!), use a closed cup or bottle to reduce the risk of spills.

🐾 Keep pets off your laptop
We love pets too — but while your laptop might feel like the perfect heated bed to your cat or dog, the pressure can easily crack the screen or damage the body. Let your pet cuddle you, not your tech.

🧼 Clean with care
Avoid alcohol-based solutions and sanitizers when cleaning your keyboard or screen. Instead, use a soft, clean cloth dampened with a little water. That’s all you need for a safe shine.

📎 Don’t close your laptop with anything inside
Pens, papers, or anything else left between the keyboard and the screen can seriously damage your device when you shut it. Always check the keyboard area before closing your laptop.

🌬️ Let it breathe
Your laptop has air vents for a reason. Using it on a bed, cushion, or even your lap can block airflow and cause it to overheat. A flat, hard surface like a desk is ideal for keeping your device cool and safe.

🔌 Don’t overcharge
Avoid keeping your laptop plugged in all the time. Charge it when the battery gets low, and unplug once it's full or close to full.

If you're using your laptop all day, it’s okay to keep it plugged in — but remember to unplug once you're done. If you're working on and off, keep it unplugged whenever possible.

☀️ Mind the environment (not just the planet)
Extreme heat or cold can harm your laptop. Don’t leave it in direct sunlight, a hot kitchen, a freezing car, or a steamy bathroom. The living room table is a much safer bet.

🚫 Skip the stickers — at least on the laptop itself
Stickers may look fun, but they often damage the laptop casing. If you want to personalise your device, add stickers to a protective case instead.

💼 Use your laptop bag properly
When travelling, make sure your laptop has its own compartment. Don’t pack the charger or other accessories in the same space — they can dent or scratch your device during transit.

⚠️ Be careful with charging cables
Keep your charging cable out of walkways or high-traffic areas. Plug into a nearby socket to avoid accidents — a tripped-over cable could send your laptop flying.

Looking after your laptop doesn’t just protect your tech — it’s a small step with a big impact. Whether you’re working from home, in the office, or on the go, a little extra care helps keep your device in great shape for longer. And when the time comes for someone else to use it, your efforts make the refurbishment process smoother and more sustainable.

So thank you, superhero — by following these simple tips, you’re helping reduce e-waste, save resources, and keep quality devices in use for years to come. 💚