How to Clean Dust From Your PC
Cleaning a PC is essentially just dust removal. Your tools are canned air, a computer vacuum and a dust mask. Cotton swabs and rubbing alcohol (for the case only) are optional. The basic idea is to blow dust off of components while catching it with a computer vacuum if possible. Use alternate items like a dust cloth or a gloved finger in tough spots where the canned air doesn’t do the trick. Here’s how to clean your PC:
What Parts of a PC Should You Clean?
Cleaning the exterior of your PC is a good idea just for aesthetics, but for the purposes of keeping everything running smoothly, you’ll want to clean essentially every internal component.
The computer vacuum is to suck up dust as you go. Do not use the computer vacuum directly on internal PC components. When you finish cleaning your PC, there should be as little dust left as possible. Focus particularly on the fans and heat sinks, but don’t stop there. Cleaning a computer isn’t that difficult, especially when compared with cleaning a laptop, but you want to be methodical about the process.
When Is It Time to Clean Your PC Again?
If your computer starts running hotter than normal, that’s usually a good sign that you’ve got too much dust buildup. The exact interval differs from one situation to the next, as factors like the amount of dust in your home or office, the type of flooring materials, and whether or not you have pets all come into play. In general, you should plan on cleaning out your PC between one to two times each year. If you notice that there isn’t much buildup after six months, then you’re probably fine using a one year interval. If you find your computer is getting full of dusting less than 6 months, adjust your schedule accordingly and clean it as often as necessary to keep it running well.
