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Extending Your Electronics Durability

Electronics are expensive, so it pays to put a bit of time and money into caring for them appropriately. Here’s how.

Get Cases (and Screen Protectors!)

For phones, computers, tablets, and any other devices that you take out and about, invest in a quality case. A fun themed phone case with Batman on it might look neat, but you’re better off spending money on something tested.

Once you get your case, consider a screen protector. These are clear adhesives that fit over your touchscreens, giving you an extra bit of protection.

Dust Regularly (No, Seriously)

What harm can computer dust and crumbs do to your keyboard? Well, as they work their way into your keyboard or laptop, they can increase the level of heat on your machine, degrading it over time. So get a can of compressed air and blast the dust away. This is also good practice for things like game consoles, Blu-ray players, the backs of fridges, and anywhere else dust accumulates.

Wash Your Hands

The easiest way to keep oils off your screens, keyboards, game controllers, and more is to wash your hands before using your devices. Insist your kids follow this rule. Putting aside the fact that some things, such as laptop keys, are not easily cleaned, there’s also the obvious germ factor.

Invest in Screen Cleaner . . .

Phones in particular should be wiped down with a quality screen cleaner and microfiber cloth regularly. Some cleaners can be used for more than phone screens, but this is the kind of thing where you want to follow the directions religiously and don’t be overly cavalier with what you can and can’t clean.

. . . But Always Follow Your Manual

Remember, not all screens are the same. The glass on your phone will no doubt be different than your TV screen or your extra computer monitor. Look up their cleaning directions in your manual—or, if you didn’t keep that, the manufacturer’s website.

Use a Surge Protector

Surge protectors are the nerdy little brothers of the electronics world. But they’re necessary. Think of your entertainment centre. Maybe there’s a TV, a PS5, a sound system, and other devices like a router, modem, controller charger, and more. The average entertainment centre might easily be worth $1,000 to $5,000. Well, a power surge can wreck all that easily. But an inexpensive $50 surge protector can save you a whole lot of money while helping you keep cords better organized.

Get Batteries Replaced

Depending on how hard you use your electronics, batteries are frequently the first things to go on phones and laptops. If the device is only two or three years old but starting to show signs of battery degradation, it’s probably worth it to swap out the battery instead of buying a whole new device. If you’re out of warranty, you can get a battery kit from somewhere such as ifixit. Or you can take your device to a third-party repair shop. Just remember to back up your data first!