Slider

Theme images by kelvinjay. Powered by Blogger.

Recent Tube


Technology

Business

Life Style & Health

Repair Tech

Historical | Religious | News Updates

Tech Tips & Tricks

Health

What Is The Ayurvedic Diet — And Can It Help You Lose Weight?

By: Sahani Brothers on 10:22 AM / comment : 0 ,


What Is The Ayurvedic Diet — And Can It Help You Lose Weight?


This ancient way of eating has you choosing foods based on your body shape.



Non-Western approaches to wellness have become increasing popular, from massage and meditation to acupuncture and aromatherapy. The interest in nutrition for both preventative and therapeutic purposes has also soared, including the awareness of eating practices from healthy populations around the globe. One in particular that’s been bubbling up is the Ayurvedic diet.

In existence for thousands of years, the Ayurvedic diet is based on principles of Ayurvedic medicine. The focus is on balancing various energies within the body—to achieve better synergy and improve health of body and mind.

Why your body type matters
Body type determines the guiding eating principles. According to Ayurveda, there are five elements that make up the universe: vayu (air), jala (water), akash (space), teja (fire), and prithvi (earth). These elements are believed to form three distinct doshas, or body types, which relate to energy that circulates within the body. While everyone maintains characteristics of all three doshas, one is typically dominant:

Vata (space and air): Vata controls basic bodily functions, including the mind, breathing, blood flow, and digestion. People with this dosha are typically thin and energetic. When they are out of balance, they may experience issues with digestive health, fatigue, weight loss, insomnia, or anxiety.

Pitta (fire and water): This dosha controls metabolism, hormones, and digestion. People with a pitta dosha often have a medium build. If out of balance, they may struggle with high blood pressure, heart disease, inflammation, or digestive conditions.

Kapha (water and earth). This dosha controls immunity, muscle growth, and strength. Those with a kapha dosha typically have a sturdier frame. If they're out of balance, they may experience problems with weight management, fluid retention, diabetes, depression, allergies, or lung health.

Your dosha determines which foods you should eat and avoid. And according to Ayurvedic practice, once you are in balance, you will naturally desire foods that are most beneficial for maintaining wellness.


What to eat for your body type
The Ayurvedic diet also identifies six major tastes with distinctly beneficial effects: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Including all six in your daily meals is encouraged, so you consistently feel nourished and satisfied. The belief is that regularly eating only a few of these tastes can trigger cravings for unhealthy foods—or throw the body out of balance. For example, consuming pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes help to counter sweet, sour, and salty. This can curb the desire to overeat the latter, which can lead to health problems, as they are characteristic of fast food or processed foods.

Those who are vata dominant should minimize cold and raw foods and too much caffeine. Instead, they should favor warm dishes that are more dominant in sweet, salty, and sour tastes. Sweet foods, like whole grains, starchy vegetables, and honey, have a soothing effect on the body. Salty foods, including table salt and salted fish, enhance appetite. And sour, found in citrus, berries, and pickled foods, aids digestion.

Those with a pitta dosha should reduce hot and spicy foods and avoid alcoholic and fermented foods. They should instead focus on sweet, bitter, and astringent foods. Bitter foods, including leafy greens, broccoli, and celery, help with detoxification. And astringent foods, such as lentils, beans, green apples, and pomegranate, help to balance pitta.

People with a kapha dosha should curb salty or heavy foods, as well as dairy. Instead, hey should prioritize pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes. Pungent, found in peppers, garlic, onions, mustard, and ginger, helps clear sinuses and promotes sweating.

Can the Ayurvedic diet lead to weight loss?
While few studies have been published on the outcomes of an Ayurvedic diet, there are some concrete benefits. In one small study that paired the diet with other Ayurveda-based lifestyle practices, including yoga and stress management, participants averaged a weight loss of 13 pounds over a nine-month period

Overall, the diet emphasizes whole foods and minimizes processed foods, a pattern that ups the intake of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, and may help support weight management. One study found that a switch from processed foods to whole foods without decreasing calorie intake resulted in an increase in post-meal calorie burning by nearly 50%.

An Ayurvedic diet also incorporates plenty of herbs and spices. In addition to being rich sources of antioxidants, some natural seasonings act as prebiotics—which nourish the beneficial gut bacteria tied to anti-inflammation, immunity, and a positive mood. Herbs and spices have also been shown to boost satiety. And some, including ginger and hot peppers, are known to rev metabolism.

The Ayurvedic diet and m eating
Ayurveda also promotes mindful eating, which can result in naturally consuming fewer calories while simultaneously feeling more satisfied. And the lifestyle encourages other healthful habits, including spending time in nature, prioritizing adequate sleep and rest, being physically active, and laughing more. Laughter has been shown to lower stress hormones, including cortisol. Excess cortisol has been linked to an increase in belly fat and weakened immunity.

This, however, is just a brief overview of the Ayurvedic diet. A consultation with a registered dietitian nutritionist trained in the practice would provide much more in-depth and tailored recommendations. You can also learn more by exploring cookbooks that include introductions to the diet principles, along with flavorful recipes.

Bottom line: Even if you don’t embrace all of the tenants of the Ayurvedic diet, consuming whole foods in a thoughtful balance, and combining nutrition with other wellness-focused behaviors, lays the foundation for healthy, sustainable living.

Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, is Health's contributing nutrition editor, a New York Times best-selling author, and a nutrition consultant for the New York Yankees.

source: health.com

How To Repair Damaged Hair

By: Sahani Brothers on 8:30 PM / comment : 0 ,


How To Repair Damaged Hair




1. Hydrate And Moisturise Damaged Hair Every Day With A Serum, To Repair It
2. Homemade Hair Masks Can Help Prevent And Repair Hair Damage
3. A Natural Warm Oil Massage Is One Of The Best Ways To Address And Repair Hair Damage
4. Avoid Excessive Shampooing And Styling If Your Hair Is Damaged, To Ensure Faster Repair And Restoration
5. If Your Hair Is Damaged, Regular Hair Trims And Haircuts Will Help Repair It
6. Cut Junk Food Out Of Your Diet, To Repair Damaged Hair
7. Seek Professional Help To Repair Damaged Hair, If It Gets Out Of Hand
8. Opt For Home Remedies To Repair Dry And Damaged Hair
9. FAQs: How To Repair Damaged Hair

Hair care and maintenance may be low on the pecking order for most of us because we aren’t paying heed to the small things that could cause hair damage . From hair loss to brittle texture, from split-ends to frizz and dryness, damaged hair is a serious problem! Hair damage, which needs proper repair, is caused due to a variety of reasons. The first and most obvious is the lack of proper nourishment. When the scalp and hair strands do not get enough moisture and nourishment, the hair starts to dry up, get brittle and coarse. In such a case, you’ll need to immediately work towards repair damaged hair. Environmental factors and pollution can also cause hair damage – especially if you’re spending a lot of time out in the sun, and in traffic. Lack of a proper diet and proper sleep can also result in dry and brittle hair, prone to hair fall, breakage and split end. If you’re using a lot of chemicals and heat treatments on your hair, tying it up to the wrong way, or even getting your towelling and sleeping methods wrong, it could result in damaged hair, which needs repair right away. Lastly, your own hair care regime may need perfecting, where you focus not just on scalp health , but make it about root-to-tip intensive care in order to repair damaged strands.

Hydrate And Moisturise Damaged Hair Every Day With A Serum  To Repair It

The best way to repair damaged strands of hair is to make sure they’re adequately moisturised and hydrated. Use whatever you’re comfortable with – a hair serum , a hair oil, or a hair mask to achieve this purpose. If you’re using an oil or a serum, the ideal way to do it is to apply it on your hair from root to tip. Leave it on for some time, and then shampoo your hair with a biotin-rich shampoo, preferably free of sulfates and parabens, and follow it up with an intensive conditioner. You can also use a leave-in conditioner or serum after rinsing your hair thoroughly. If you’re using a serum for dry hair, make sure your hair is thoroughly dried before application. In both cases, take a small amount in the palm of your hand, rub between both hands, and apply thinly and evenly all over the hair, focussing on the roots as well as the tips. Choose a hair serum based on your hair type . For straight and fine hair, use a lightweight formula that doesn’t weigh down the hair and make it look greasy. Make sure you don’t apply much near the roots and focus on a thin layer from the midsection down to the ends. For wavy hair, choose a serum that boasts anti-frizz benefits, since wavy hair attracts frizz easily. A lightweight oil-based serum is ideal and should be used as a leave-in serum regularly. For curly hair, use the strongest hair serum which focuses on taming tresses, reducing frizz, detangling them and making them manageable.

Pro tip: Use a hair serum to repair damaged hair effectively.

Homemade Hair Masks Can Help Prevent And Repair Hair Damage

A hair mask is a convenient way of ensuring potent healing and repair benefits to dry and damaged hair, ensuring that your hair remains hydrated, nourished and moisturised in the most intense possible way, leading to effective prevention of damaged hair. Use natural ingredients in your hair mask that address damage – from honey and bananas to yoghurt and eggs, avocadoes and beer, as well as a mix of essential oil drops. Apply these on your scalp, as well as all along the strands of your hair, just before your hair wash. Keep it on for 20-30 minutes, and rinse well with a shampoo targeted towards damaged hair. A conditioner is a must after every shampoo, especially one designed to seal in moisture. Again, take care to apply these on the tips – since they’re often ignored.

Pro tip: Use a hair mask at least twice a week, to effectively combat and repair dry and damaged hair.

A Natural Warm Oil Massage Is One Of The Best Ways To Address And Repair Hair Damage

Using a warm, natural hair oil can do wonders for hair health and texture, repairing damaged hair and scalp. You should ideally warm around 100ml of your chosen hair oil and then gently apply it on your hair, taking care to focus on the scalp and ends equally, and coating every strand thoroughly. For extra benefit, you can wrap your hair up in a shower cap, so that the benefits of the oil have thoroughly seeped in. Leave on for a couple of hours at least. Rinse and wash your hair with a biotin-enriched shampoo. Coconut oil works on all hair types are locally available and affordable. It softens the tips, repairs split ends naturally and boosts hair thickness , while preventing it from losing protein. Argan oil is non-native to India but has been catching up recently as a force to reckon with. Extracted from the kernels of the argan tree, found in Morocco, it is replete with Vitamin E, making it the perfect moisturiser for dry and lacklustre hair, reducing frizz and preventing split ends . The oil extracted from castor seeds, otherwise called castor oil, has many health benefits but is particularly good for hair health. It is a great moisturiser and helps reduce hair breakage , by providing extra nourishment and lubrication.

Pro tip: Hydrate and nourish your hair with effective hair oil, to repair damaged strands.

Avoid Excessive Shampooing And Styling If Your Hair Is Damaged To Ensure Faster Repair And Restoration

When choosing a shampoo, always choose one suitable for your hair and scalp type, to repair hair damage. Look at the ingredients list, and make sure that your shampoo is free from parabens, sulfates and other chemicals that could compound the damage. Also, if you have specific problems – hair fall, dandruff, premature greying , split-ends and so on, try and ensure that the shampoo you choose addresses those concerns so that you work towards repairing damaged hair. A clarifying shampoo is especially great for those who are exposed to excessive sun and pollution and want to rid the hair of an extra layer of grime and dirt. Use cold water, which is better for damaged hair than warm or hot water. Lastly, don’t shampoo your hair every day. Thrice a week for oily hair is enough, and twice a week for dry hair will suffice. Styling products with harsh chemicals affect the hair and scalp adversely as well. So excessive blow-drying, ironing, bleaching, colouring and so on weaken the hair strands and hair follicles – steer clear of these. So switch from chemical products to those that are more natural, to start repairing damaged hair.

Pro tip: Choose your shampoo carefully, and avoid frequent washes to repair damaged hair. You should also steer clear of excessive heat and chemicals.

If Your Hair Is Damaged Regular Hair Trims And Haircuts Will Help Repair It

While you can try your best to combat hair damage with treatments, sometimes, the hair strands are beyond repair – especially where it concerns split-ends and brittle strands that are prone to breakage. In such a case, the best thing you can do for your hair is to get a hair trim or haircut, snipping off as much of the damaged portion as possible, and starting to treat your hair at the scalp level, to ensure it grows back healthy. So visit your local salon (we wouldn’t recommend trying this at home unless you’re a pro!) and get them to snip as much of your tresses as you need, making sure any unseemly split ends, coarse and damaged strands, are done away with. Head to your hairdresser at least every 12 weeks to ensure healthy hair strands, and get rid of any new niggling problems that may have formed despite your best efforts!

Pro tip: Get a hair trim or hair cut every 12 weeks – this is the only surefire remedy to get rid of existing hair problems.

Cut Junk Food Out Of Your Diet To Repair Damaged Hair

Hair damage also has to do with what’s under the scalp, since it eventually reflects on what’s above! The ‘live’ part of the hair is housed in the follicle, and just like the other organs, derives nutrition from food and the bloodstream. So if you find yourself nutrient-deficient, you’ll find your hair instantly looking lacklustre and dry, and easily prone to breakage and split-ends. Excessive salt, sugar, fried food, aerated drinks, alcohol and cigarettes are all full of empty calories and could result not just in health problems, but also in lacklustre hair, which is brittle and prone to breakage. So cut these out of your diet completely, and start eating more hair-healthy foods to repair hair damage. Protein is the building block of healthy hair, so eat cottage cheese, other unprocessed cheeses, ghee, yoghurt, eggs, poultry, legumes, lentils and green beans. Omega 3 fatty acids are also essential to keep your scalp and hair follicles from drying out and reducing inflammation, so try salmon, avocados, flaxseeds, olive oil and walnuts. Eat vitamins as well – particularly generous helpings of fresh fruits and vegetables. Zinc is vital to balancing your hormones, and for RNA and DNA production, which in turn affects hair texture and strength. Oysters are an amazing source of zinc, as are shrimps, mussels, beef, fortified cereals like oatmeal, beans and eggs. Selenium is a trace element that protects the hair tissues from oxidation, found in mushrooms, sunflower seeds, brazil nuts, brown rice, whole grain rye and crabs.

Pro tip: Cut out salt, sugar, fried food, colas and alcohol from your diet to repair damaged hair, and focus on protein, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, zinc and selenium-rich foods.

Seek Professional Help To Repair Damaged Hair If It Gets Out Of Hand

While all these tips can help slowly combat hair damage, sometimes the problem is more severe than that, and you’ll need to seek professional help to repair your hair. If hair damage and general hair problems are genetic, if they’re caused by hormonal issues like thyroid, post-partum hormones and so on, or if the damage has been made to such an extent that it is beyond repair at home, it is time to consult your doctor, who could address the issue with targeted products, supplements, or treatments that repair excessively damaged hair.

Pro tip: Get the help of your doctor if your hair damage is caused by hormones, genetics or is beyond repair at home.

Opt For Home Remedies To Repair Dry And Damaged Hair
Try out these DIY hair remedies at home

Aloe-rosemary hair treatment

Ingredients:
2 tbsp pure aloe vera gel
1 tsp fresh rosemary leaves

Method: Measure a cup of water and bring it to a boil. Then add the fresh rosemary leaves, and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes on low heat. Once the water has been infused with the rosemary, strain, cool and set aside. Then mix the aloe vera gel slowly into this infused water, until you have a smooth even thick-ish liquid. Apply on damp hair for best results. This is ideal to repair hair that is excessively dry and damaged.

Oil blend hair smoothener

Ingredients:
1 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
1 tbsp sweet almond oil
2 drops lavender essential oil

Method: Mix the extra virgin coconut oil and the sweet almond oil together in a bowl. If need be, churn it in a mixie till you have a smooth even oil. Add the two drops of lavender essential oil and let it sit for about five minutes. Apply this blend of oils to freshly washed damp hair, taking care to focus on the tips to prevent split-ends and tame frizz.

Vitamin E infusion

Ingredients:
2 vitamin E capsules
1 cup distilled rosewater
1 tsp argan oil

Method: In a bowl, mix the argan oil with the contents of the two vitamin E capsules, and blend well until you have a smooth even mix. Slowly add the rosewater, and keep mixing until you have a liquid that is uniform in colour and texture. Pour it in a bottle, and use as a leave-in serum on either wet or dry hair. This keeps for about 2 days, but remember to shake the bottle well before each use.

Try out this homemade hair mask for repair damaged hair

FAQs: How To Repair Damaged Hair
How To Repair Damaged Hair
Is the way I comb your hair linked to hair damage?
Yes, how you use a close-tooth comb or hairbrush can lead to knotting, tangling, breakage and split ends. To repair damaged hair, switch to a wide-tooth comb immediately. Slowly brush along the length of your hair, from root to tip, working on small sections at a time. If you encounter serious knots or tangles, unravel them gently with your fingers before running your comb through them. After you have thoroughly done this, you can use a regular comb to neaten or style your hair.

What other changes should I make to avoid damaged hair?
Often, you tend to overlook small things that keep damaged hair from repairing, no matter what other steps you take. For instance, sleeping on coarse or rough linen – especially pillow covers – can cause snags at the tips of your hair and lead to hair damage. It is best to use softer fabrics to avoid this. Also, never go to bed with wet hair. Always let it dry out at least 80 per cent before you lie down with wet hair, or it could further intensify damaged hair.

Which is the best way to dry my hair to repair hair damage?
Letting your hair dry naturally or towel drying is obviously the best thing you can do for damaged hair, to control further hair fall and breakage. As soon as you wash your hair, wrap it up in a turban on top, using a microfiber towel. Once the excess water has been soaked, gently pat the scalp and hair dry with a cotton towel till it is just about damp. Let the rest dry naturally. In case you’re in a hurry and need to get somewhere, blow drying your hair works best once it has already been towel-dried. Spray volumizer at the roots before drying, and leave-in conditioner to the ends.
source: femina

Is Having Milk In The Morning Better Than Evening/Night?

By: Sahani Brothers on 11:07 AM / comment : 0

Is Having Milk In The Morning Better Than Evening/Night?


Img Src: http://www.theblondevegan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/o-PRICE-MILK-facebook.jpg

Curejoy Expert Gina Hodge Explains:

According to Ayurveda, milk is considered to be essential for the human body and should be an important part of the diet. Ayurveda ardently encourages the consumption of warm milk on a regular basis by all healthy individuals. It contains vitamins (A, K and B12), thiamine, and nicotinic acid, minerals like calcium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium.

There are conflicting arguments regarding the best time to drink milk. If consumed in the morning, it makes us active the entire day. At night, it can calm our minds and make us sleep better. Ayurveda however emphasizes on drinking milk at night.

Effects of drinking milk depending upon time:
-Morning: Drinking milk in the morning is not advised as it is heavy to digest.
-Afternoon: Drinking milk in the afternoon promotes strength in old people; it also helps to alleviate certain medical conditions such as urinary calculi or stones.
-Evening: Drinking milk in the evening is beneficial for the eyes.
-Night: Night is the best time to drink milk as it reduces tiredness and is helpful for inducing good sleep.

Thus drinking your way to a good night’s sleep might be beneficial due to the following reasons:

-Drinking Milk at night facilitates the sleep process, as it contains the amino acid tryptophan, which helps in increasing the melatonin (also known as the sleep hormone) level in the body
-Milk is a good source of calcium, which is important for maintaining bone health .Also the calcium will be absorbed optimally due to low activity levels in the evening
-Proteins present may be beneficial for those trying to gain lean muscle mass.
As with everything else in life you will find different outlooks. Have a look at the few factors below you must take into consideration too.

Factors to be taken into consideration while drinking milk:
-People suffering from conditions like fresh fever, weak digestion, certain skin conditions, cough, loose bowel movements and intestinal worms should avoid drinking milk.
-Milk should never be taken during the meals as it is difficult to digest. It should always be consumed separately and should be warm, for easier digestion.
-Milk if taken cold, homogenized, combined with unsuitable foods and in excess will definitely be harmful for health.
-Milk should be avoided completely for people who are lactose intolerant.
Consumption of milk at night may be fattening.

Thus modern Ayurveda scientists suggests that the secret to milk being a healthy food lies completely in the way it is consumed, prepared, stored and maintained.




Content Src : Curejoy

Clean Your Longs In Six Easy Way

By: Sahani Brothers on 11:02 AM / comment : 0

6 Tips For Keeping Your Lungs Clean


Keeping your body clean on the inside is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy and, as such, many people regularly perform colon cleansing and liver cleansing routines. Harmful organism cleanses and toxic metal cleanses are also common, beneficial, and recommended. But did you know there are measures you can take to keep your lungs clean too? It’s important to have healthy lungs, as a pair, they’re one of the most active organs in the body and certainly one of the most important. We can go weeks without food, and days without water… but not very long without air. Here are 6 easy tips you can implement right away to keep your lungs at peak performance.

1. Don’t Smoke
This one is a no-brainer, the detrimental effect of cigarette smoke on the lungs has been known and documented for over a hundred years… yet some people continue to do it. Smoking deposits harmful and obstructive tar in the lungs, not to mention a phone-book sized list of chemicals. The chemicals in cigarette smoke, like carbon monoxide, inhibit mechanical lung function and contribute to the development of big, big problems like emphysema and cancer. Smoking is bad for your health and it’s bad for everyone around you. There’s no need to rehash what we all know, let’s just shut the book on this one- don’t smoke!


2. Perform Lung Cleansing Exercises
Did you know breathing exercises can strengthen your lungs and help clear toxins? Just as bicep curls will strengthen your arms, deep breathing exercises will strengthen your lungs and clear your airways. Deep breathing provides a secondary benefit in that they deliver more nourishing oxygen to your body. Shallow breathing is often a product of weak lung function or sedentary habits. It’s a bad habit and if you’re guilty, stop! Once or twice a day, find a quiet place and perform the deep breathing exercises that tap into the full capacity of your lungs!

3. Eat Lung Cleansing Foods
Did you know pistachios, plantain leaf, and cayenne pepper are all foods that promote healthy lung function? Pistachios contain gamma-tocopherol, a type of vitamin E that is believed to reduce risk of lung cancer. Plantain leaf, popular in Latin American cuisine, is useful suppressing mucous and may help respiratory problems that involve congestion. Cayenne peppers are potent foods whose benefits are equal to their heat. Cayenne has been shown to relieve irritation which is great news when you’re suffering from coughs and sore throats.

4. Reduce Your Indoor Air Pollution Exposure
Indoor environments can be contaminated with over 1,000 species of mold and mildew. Pet dander is a common indoor pollutant that is notorious for antagonizing allergies. Synthetic, chemical-based cleaning products are toxic substances with toxic fumes, just check the warning label! (and make your own natural alternatives instead). Upholstery, carpet, paint, and building materials are also all common sources of indoor pollution. The indoor air pollution problem is compounded by the fact that home construction has become more airtight in the last 30 years which traps pollutants inside. A drafty house may not seem the most efficient when the electricity bill arrives but there is something to be said about the constant airflow. Aside from ridding your home of the sources of pollution, air exchange systems and indoor air purification systems are good proactive approaches to purifying the air in your home.


5. Make a Castor Oil Pack for Lung Cleansing
Castor oil packs are easy to make at home and work great for drawing toxins out of the body! Castor oil has long been appreciated as a general health tonic and is believed to stimulate lymphatic circulation and waste elimination. Castor oil packs are placed on the chest, perhaps similar to vapor rubs, and are thought to break up congestion and toxins. Easy, effective, and inexpensive, try it!

6. Take Lung Cleansing Herbs
Plants like oregano, orange peel, elecampane, eucalyptus, peppermint, lungwort, osha root, chaparral, and lobelia have been used for hundreds of years, if not longer, as natural remedies for respiratory conditions. Individual herbal tinctures and extracts are available, or, rather than purchasing and taking each separately, AllerTrex® is a natural lung cleansing supplement that contains organic and wildcrafted herbs known to support respiratory ailments, help with normal lung functions, and cleanse your lungs of harmful agents.


†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Global Healing Center does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Global Healing Center are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.

content sourse : http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/6-tips-for-keeping-your-lungs-clean/

How To Clean Your Computer

By: Sahani Brothers on 7:08 AM / comment : 0

I have a dirty secret. I've never cleaned my computer. Sure, I've dusted my monitor, but I haven't taken off the cover or tried to reach the crumbs lurking inside my keyboard. And I honestly don't know the difference between pressurized air dusters and compressed air cleaners.
"Your computer could fry if you don't keep it clean," says Jonathon Millman, chief technology officer for Hooplah Interactive.
Whether it's a desktop or laptop/notebook computer, dust and lint can clog the cooling vents. This can cause your computer's brain—the central processing unit (CPU)—to heat up. And heat is the biggest cause of component failure in computers. Regular cleaning could save you costly maintenance fees down the road.


Follow the five simple steps in the cleanup and maintenance routine below to keep your computer and accessories looking shiny and new. It's an easy, do-it-yourself solution to help them run smoothly and last longer.

Not what you were looking for?

Are you trying to clean up your computer in the antivirus software sense? This guide on the Microsoft Security website provides instructions, a free safety scan, and a malicious software removal tool you can download. Or, if you're trying to find tips on cleaning out system clutter and unwanted files to make your programs run faster, you may find these articles helpful: Speed up your PC: Automate your computer maintenance schedule, Optimize your computer for peak performance, and How to delete programs you no longer need.

Preparation

You'll need:
  • Standard (flat-tip) and/or Phillips screwdriver
  • Can of compressed air (available from computer dealers or office-supply stores)
  • Cotton swabs (do not use a cotton ball)
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Soft, lint-free cloths, paper towels, or anti-static cloths
  • Water
  • Safety glasses (optional)
Important: Always turn your computer off and disconnect it from the power source before you begin any of these steps.

Step 1: Inside the case

If you see dust or other debris accumulating around the vents of your desktop or laptop, you can bet there's more inside—and it's only going to cause trouble. To remove it, you'll need to open the case. That may sound more intimidating than it really is. Before you begin, of course, make sure the computer is turned off and disconnected from the power source.
One more consideration: Manufacturers' policies vary, but, in some cases, opening your computer case may void your warranty. You may even encounter a warning sticker on the case. Review your warranty terms before continuing.
  • For desktop computers. Desktop computer manufacturers employ a variety of fastening mechanisms to secure the case. Face the back panel: Modern cases typically use two or more small knobs that you can turn by hand, or buttons that you press in, to release a side panel or the entire shell of the case. Others may require you to remove two or more slotted or Phillips screws. If in doubt, consult your owner's manual for specific instructions.
  • For laptop and notebook computers. Set the computer upside down on a table or other stable surface. (You may want to place a towel or paper under the computer to prevent scratches and scuffs.) Remove the battery. On most laptops, the vents on the underside will be grouped on a removable panel, secured to the case with several screws. Typically, these are very small Phillips-type screws, which may be of different lengths. Remove them, and be sure to keep track of which goes where.
After you're inside either your desktop or laptop, touch as little as possible inside the computer—keep your fingers away from cards and cords. Look for any dust bunnies or other bits of fluff in the nooks and crannies. Pick these out carefully with tweezers or a cotton swab. Blow compressed air around all of the components and along the bottom of the case, keeping the nozzle at least four inches away from the machine. Blow air into the power supply box and into the fan.
Try to aim the stream of pressurized air in such a way that it blows debris out of and away from crevices and recesses, rather than driving it deeper in. Safety glasses are a good idea, too, to keep the flying dust out of your eyes.
Take particular care when blowing the delicate fans. Overspinning them with excessive pressure can crack a blade or damage the bearings. Position the compressed air can well away, and use short bursts of air rather than a steady blast. As a precaution, you might also carefully immobilize the fan blades with your fingertip or a cotton swab while using the air can.
Lastly, blow air into the floppy disk, CD or DVD drives, and I/O ports—but again, not too aggressively. Wipe the inside of the cover with a lightly moistened cloth, and dry it before replacing it.
Millman recommends doing this every three months if your case sits on the floor, if you have pets that shed, or if you smoke. Otherwise, every six to eight months is fine.

Step 2: Outside the case

Run a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol around all of the openings on the outside of your case. Give them one swipe with the damp end of the swab and one swipe with the dry end. Do this as often as you clean the inside of your computer.

Step 3: Keyboard

Turn the keyboard upside down and gently shake it. Most of the crumbs and dust will fall out. Take a can of compressed air and blow into and around the keys. Next, take a cotton swab and dip it in rubbing alcohol. It should be damp, but not dripping wet. Run the cotton swab around the outside of each key. Rub the tops of the keys. Don't be stingy with the swabs. Discard them when they start to get dirty, and switch to a fresh one. If you have a laptop, follow the same procedure but take extra care with your machine—treat it as gently as you would a carton of fresh eggs. If your laptop has a touchpad, use the damp swap to wipe it clean, as well. Do this keyboard cleanup monthly.
It's tempting to use a vacuum cleaner to suck the debris out of the keyboard and other parts of the computer, but technicians warn that it can create a static electrical charge that can actually damage the computer's sensitive electronics.

Worried about spills?

If a spill happens, immediately turn off your computer, disconnect the keyboard, and flip it over. While the keyboard is upside down, blot the keys with a paper towel, blow compressed air between the keys, and leave it to air dry overnight. Check to ensure that all traces of moisture have evaporated before using the keyboard again. Laptop spills need more attention because liquid can easily penetrate the keyboard and damage internal parts. For laptop spills, immediately turn off the computer and remove any external power source and other items plugged into it. Turn the laptop over, remove the battery, and then bring it to your nearest repair center to check for internal damage. Simply blowing compressed air into the keyboard and letting your computer air dry upside down overnight aren't enough, because liquids can sit inside a laptop for days.
For all spills, be aware that anything other than plain water may cause severe damage, and never attempt to dry a keyboard or laptop in a microwave or conventional oven.

Step 4: Mouse

Disconnect the mouse from your computer. Rub the top and bottom of your mouse with a paper towel dipped in rubbing alcohol. Scrape hard-to-remove grime with your fingernail. If you have an optical mouse, ensure that no lint or other debris obscures the light-emitting lens on the underside of the mouse.
If you use a mechanical mouse, open the underside of the mouse and remove the ball. (In most cases, you simply need to rotate the plastic ring encircling the ball one-quarter turn counterclockwise.) Wash the ball with water, and let it air dry. To clean inside a mechanical mouse, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and rub all of the interior components, paying particular attention to the little rollers, where gunk tends to collect. Finally, blow compressed air into the opening and ensure that the interior is dry. Replace the ball and the cover.
Clean your mouse monthly.

Step 5: Monitor

For liquid-crystal display (LCD) laptop and flat-panel monitor screens, slightly moisten a soft, lint-free cloth with plain water. Microfiber cloths are excellent for this purpose. Avoid using paper towels, which can scratch monitor surfaces. Don't spray liquid directly onto the screen—spray the cloth instead. Wipe the screen gently to remove dust and fingerprints. You can also buy monitor cleaning products at computer-supply stores.
For glass CRT (television-style) monitors, use an ordinary household glass cleaning solution. Unless your manufacturer recommends differently, don't use alcohol or ammonia-based cleaners on your monitor, as these can damage anti-glare coatings. And never try to open the housing of a CRT monitor. Capacitors within can hold a dangerous electrical charge—even after the monitor has been unplugged.
Clean the monitor weekly. Finally, make sure that everything is dry before you plug your computer back in.
Article adapted from an original article written by Alyson Munroe.


Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
Created By Universal TechWorld | Distributed By Universal