Wait 2 minutes for it to safely dry.
Let it dry out for at least 24 hours and make sure it's 100% dry before turning it back on again.
Isopropyl alcohol with a high concentration (>90%) can typically evaporate in under 1 minute, which is why it's considered ideal for things like cell phone repair or electronics cleaning. Because it evaporates so quickly there's no lingering moisture and you can continue with your repair almost immediately.
Avoid baby wipes. Use isopropyl alcohol and lint-free cloth for CPU cleaning.
According to Dr. Vijay Iyer, Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Rutgers University, "70% isopropyl alcohol should be safe for most CPUs." He went on to say that if there is any residue left on the CPU after cleaning, it can be removed with a bit of water.
Using isopropyl alcohol to clean your electronics is a safe and effective way to remove debris.
Do not use a vacuum cleaner or hair dryer to clean your PC fan. This may create static buildup and discharge into the sensitive electronics inside the computer case.
Always dampen the cloth, cotton swab, or magic eraser and use that to clean. It should only be damp enough to just know that it is not dry. Water, or liquids, and electricity do NOT mix. Water and most liquids are excellent conductors of electricity, so even the smallest amount of it will conduct electricity.
The simple answer is “No!”. You should never use water to clean off the thermal paste from any of your computer's electrical components. If you use water, you're essentially exposing your computer to the potential risk of permanent, unrecoverable damage.
Can I Use It to Clean My Devices? It's best to avoid using any isopropyl mixture below 90% on circuit boards and other electrical bits. If you're simply cleaning the adhesive off something metal or plastic, 70% might do in a pinch, but you'll want to be sure not to spill it onto circuits or wires.
Isopropyl alcohol concentrations >91% volume have limited bactericidal efficiency and are less effective for antiseptic use, thus its distinction as “rubbing alcohol” is not warranted and may cause confusion. In documents cited by the CDC, “rubbing alcohol” is defined as 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water.
EFFECTS ON HUMANS
The lethal dose of isopropyl alcohol is estimated as 160-240 ml (Ashkar and Miller, 1971) and 250 ml (McBay, 1973). In 1978, 372 Melanesian men consumed a solution of 82% methyl alcohol and 18% isopropyl alcohol in the mistaken belief that the solution was methylated spirits; 18 of them died.
Allow to Dry
Leave your laptop to dry in a well-ventilated area for at least 24 to 48 hours. Avoid using a hairdryer or heat gun, as excessive heat can cause more damage.
Dry the keyboard using a towel or cloth. Avoid using paper towels or tissues because they contain a lot of lint. Be sure to dry between the keys as best you can. Let the keyboard dry upside down for at least 24 hours.
Most dry cleaners aim to have orders ready within 1-2 business days. Factors like stain removal, fabric type, and local demand can impact the overall processing time. For specialized items like wedding dresses or formal wear, the cleaning process may take 1-2 weeks to ensure proper care and preservation.
How to clean an LCD (not glass-covered) laptop screen: If you have a PC laptop with an LCD screen, you should not use disinfecting wipes. Manufacturers, such as Hewlett-Packard, say that active ingredients found in both Clorox and Lysol wipes could damage your screen.
Work on a hard surface:
Your PC should never be placed on materials such as carpet, blankets, or towels when handling your PC in situations where you need to handle the internal components.
Do not spray or apply liquid directly onto your device. Thoroughly wring out cloths or cleaning wipes before using to ensure that no moisture will seep into your device.
Once the processor is exposed, use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on a paper towel to completely remove the old thermal paste. Be careful and make sure to remove every last bit of old thermal compound.
Can I use an alcohol wipe to clean off old CPU thermal paste? The short answer is, “Yes” — you can use an alcohol swab to clean up the thermal paste.
Thermal paste can spill and, depending on its conductivity profile, can possibly brick your PC. Even if it doesn't, it can drip into the pins on your CPU and cause various malfunctions.
High temperatures can indeed cause damage to the CPU. This is because the components of the CPU are made up of electric circuits, which are sensitive to heat. When the CPU becomes too hot, the electrical circuits break down, resulting in the CPU failing to work.
Water exposure can cause serious damage to your computer, especially if it reaches the internal components. If you spill liquid on your laptop or desktop, don't panic. There are some steps you can take to diagnose and replace faulty components and save your data.