What does alcohol do to your PC?

When cleaning digital equipment or disinfecting device surfaces, people often use different chemicals, such as acetic acid diluted in vinegar or an aqueous solution, such as isopropyl alcohol. Choosing the right solution is important because the wrong cleaning solution can do more harm than good. Isopropyl alcohol can be confusing because you can buy it in different percentages, which indicate its purity. The higher the percentage, the less water it contains. For example, 70% isopropyl alcohol contains 30% water and the rest is alcohol. You will typically see 70%, 91%, and 99% solutions. Different purities exist because adding water slows the rate of evaporation, which can be essential for disinfection.

Knowing the purity is important because some electronic equipment – ​​or one of its components – can be sensitive to the amount of alcohol in relation to the water to which it is exposed. You see this with computers. Generally, you want a higher concentration of alcohol (91% or 99%) than water to clean thermal paste and your heatsink. However, you still need to be careful as it can also be too powerful if it comes into contact with soft plastics (like rubber feet). But if you accidentally use a lower concentration than recommended, it leaves behind water residue that, if present when you turn on your computer, could fry your equipment with an electrical short. Remember that alcohol evaporates quickly (its boiling point is closer to room temperature) and leaves no residue. Additionally, leaving water behind can also encourage metal corrosion, which wears out equipment – ​​just be aware that the drying trick with rice won’t work.

There are a few PC components that you should definitely avoid cleaning with isopropyl alcohol: monitor screens (as it can remove anti-glare and protective coatings), anything with transparent plastics (like acrylic), soft plastics, adhesives (unless intentionally), and live equipment. However, high purity isopropyl alcohol (at least 91%) is safe for cleaning circuit boards. Never use 70% isopropyl alcohol, as it should not be used on electronic devices; 70% is the best disinfectant for other applications and exterior plastics, such as keys or a mouse. For anything circuit related, avoid using anything lower than 91% unless you know exactly what you’re doing.

If you accidentally use the wrong concentration, turn off the computer and let it air dry properly. If possible, absorb any excess solvent with a lint-free cloth and use a fan to help it dry. Typically, you should wait at least 24 hours for the drying process to complete, but to be on the safe side, consider a longer period (72 hours) to be absolutely sure.