how to clean a laptop?

[MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay]

As in literally...

As a sad computer addict my macbook often gets a bit grubby looking.. crumbs round the keys and the ports seem to collect fluff/cat hair /dust.
I have always just wiped around with a cloth and a squirt of furniture polish to clean the screen etc but wondered if there is a proper method.. does it matter what I use?

[RustyBear]

I use this stuff on the computers at school - though I got mine at clas ohlsen for £2.99 it's very good at picking up bits and getting into small spaces.

[Ryoko]

A can of compressed air normally gets out most crap.

[FrottageCod]

I bought some little cleaning wipes from the applestore for mine. Seem to be ok, although I don't have too much mess on here...incidentally, is it best to try to use the mains power on macbooks. I've noticed that the battery does not last long at all and wondered if the battery sort of went on 'bypass' if lead is plugged in and charging.

[Ryoko]

If you leave any laptop battery in while powering it off the mains it will still be charging the battery, constantly charging a battery that doesn't need charging effects the memory of the electrolyte causing it to become unable to hold a full charge (same applies to all rechargeable devices) , I never leave the battery in my Asus laptop when I'm using the mains and it's doing fine after 2 years the battery is still in excellent condition.

[FrottageCod]

Thanks Ryoko, will have to take it out once I work out how later