# Cleaning computer parts

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-computer-parts/221674>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 30, 2003, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-computer-parts/221674 "2003-12-30T01:46:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\
**Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-computer-parts/221674/1 "2003-12-30T01:46:48Z")

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My damn cat pissed in my laptop last night. :mad:

What is the best way to clean a computer motherboard without damaging it? Is there some kind of a volatile solvent that comes in a spray can that would work? Would brake cleaner work? Rubbing alcohol and a cottonball?

I do have an anti-static wristband.

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**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\
**Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-computer-parts/221674/2 "2003-12-30T02:29:22Z")

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Follow the advice in cleaning water soaked electronics in [this section](http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/vcrfaq.htm#vcrvocwtb) of the Repair FAQ. Don’t try to cheap out on cleaning solutions. Use plain Isopropyl alchohol, not rubbing alchohol, etc. Try to get some “zero residue” cleaner from an electronic supply store. (Yellow pages!)

If you can’t clean it right away, take out the batteries and anything else removable that’s not tainted, wrap in air tight bag and store in a freezer until you can work on it.

You will need lots and lots of swabs, tiny brushes, etc.

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**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\
**Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-computer-parts/221674/3 "2003-12-30T02:34:27Z")

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Your best bet would be to take it to the shop. Let the experts handle it.