No Anti-Virus Software Touches These Nasty Beasties! (Fellowes Laptop Deluxe Cleaning Kit)

Member Name: Machair1

Product:	Fellowes Laptop Deluxe Cleaning Kit
Date:	05/06/09 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cleans and makes the computer pristine.

Disadvantages: Expensive and cheaper alternatives exist.

A colleague of my husband pointed out to him recently that the screen on his laptop was less than immaculate, and so it prompted me to seek out something which would restore it to its former pristine state.

It coincided with me having a spring clean of my own computer, which as it is shared with my son is heavily used, and he, unlike me, will munch his way through many delicious treats at the same time as tackling the demands of homework and social networking! This provides any bacteria with lunch and a midnight snack no doubt as he keeps the same hours as owls!

Now whether it is my nursing training or just a personality thing I'm not sure, but I am not a fan of doing things in rooms which are not appropriate, such as eating breakfast in bed and then having all those crumbs. I like to work and sleep in clean places. However my husband often has to work at his desk and this is I guess how his laptop gets dirty.

I purchased a cleaning kit called The Fellowes Deluxe Laptop Cleaning Set from Smiths in our local high street. I don't shop in there much as I prefer to use the internet for most purchases, but I happened to see these for sale in a reduced section, and so I bought one. I have since seen them on Amazon where they retail for £8.46 which I think is really pricy.

Inside this kit, (which is clearly visible through clear pockets on a card backing), you get a 25ml screen cleaning spray and a micro fibre cloth, 5 surface cleaning wipes, a keyboard cleaning tool and a USB cleaning tool. I have seen other similar kits from other manufacturers on Amazon for half this price with similar contents so beware. I certainly wouldn't pay this price.

I have written a review some time ago about Fellowes keyboard wipes which are available to purchase separately, and in this review I pointed out that computer keyboards can harbour more germs than toilet seats and in it I explained that you could well be typing on the toilet. This thought is something which makes me think that medicinal wipes which remove bacteria and viruses from surfaces which are communally used have to be a good investment, and these are an integral part of this kit.

So we set to work on hubby's laptop to restore its former glory. Oh dear the dramas we had! You spray the cleaner onto the cloth and wipe the screen and off came a mountain of finger marks and grime, next the USB port, well not really sure of the need to clean this but the little tool did the job which presumably improves conductivity, then the keyboard tool removed some dust bunnies, and finally the wipes ensured that no nasty bugs were lurking!
The screen cleaner and cloth come in a dinky little pack which is easily transported and this is a bonus. Furthermore although this says it is a laptop cleaner it is useful for desk tops too so is versatile.

The laptop came up looking like new! The screen sparkling and free of any static and the keyboard spotless!

You may know that viruses can live on keyboards and on mice for that matter for up to 72 hours, and so keeping these clean has to be important if you want to stop infections going round a family. I always find it incredible how computer equipment seems to act like a magnet for dirt and dust.

As the kit contains two tools and a cleaning cloth the only items you would then need to replace would be the screen cleaner and the wipes, so further purchases would be much cheaper.

I think this item is certainly worth looking at as well as some of its cheaper competitors. I have, in the past, used an almost dry cloth which has been soaked in hot water, a dash of washing up liquid, and a dash of bleach, because this also works well, and you can use a toothbrush to get in between the keys where dust gathers. This set is however a lot more handy and effective, and it claims to leave the computer free of viral agents for a week.
Fellowes make a range of cleaning products suitable not just for computers but also for things like telephones and you can buy drums of the wipes too.

Fellowes are a global company born in Illinois USA who specialise in computer and business accessories. They were founded in 1917 so have had to adapt to a very changing world indeed over that time. Their website makes interesting reading, and they point out that screen wipes for example are vital as they prevent eye strain from staring at monitors which are less than pristine.
www.fellowes.com

I have been impressed with this product and it provides peace of mind.

Summary: A good product and a necessary one.

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