How to Physically Clean Your Computer

To enhance the performance and safety of your computer, it is important to ensure that it gets regular cleaning. Dust build up within your computer system leads to overheating and failure in case of short-circuits. According to the WiredShopper, the sound coming from your computer is a cry for a cleanup. Therefore, it is important to clean your PC from time to time. It takes a very short time to do it. Here is how to proceed with the cleaning.

PC Cleaning Preparation

 The frequency of cleaning your PC depends on the environment and where it is placed. On the floor, your computer will need cleaning quite often more than when it is placed off the floor surface. When the computer is in a clean environment, no much of cleaning may be required.

To start off with the cleaning, all peripherals like the power cables, video cables, USB cables, and the audio connections must be detached from it. Make sure that the components are not getting power while cleaning them. Cleaning should be done in an area with good ventilation such as in the backyard so that you don’t inhale the dust coming from it.

Get the appropriate tools for cleaning. You will need tools to open the computer case. However, don’t use a vacuum to get the dust off your machine components since it can form a static buildup and damage the PC components.  You will need a set of screwdrivers, a can of compressed air, cotton swabs, cleaning cloth among other items.

The Cleaning Process

 Cleaning starts with opening up your computer case (remember all cables should have been detached already). Make sure you open it right because computer cases are different from each other. Use the computer manual if you are not sure about that. In most cases, you will be required to unscrew some screws and then slide the panel.

To ease the computer physical leaning process, components that can be detached easily can be removed. For many desktops, you will be able to remove RAM sticks, hard drives and video cards. It is not a requirement to do so but it helps in ensuring a thorough cleaning. Don’t remove the CPU since the thermal paste used for the transfer of heat from the processor top to the fan will require replacement once the fan is taken off.  Should the CPU be removed, the old thermal paste needs to be cleaned off first using a soft cloth and alcohol before applying a new one once the cleaning process is complete.

What to Start Cleaning

 The peripherals that have been removed should be cleaned first. This is to be done using compressed air. Hold the trigger and direct the burst of air onto the region with dust buildup. This helps in removing dust and dirt clogged up in ports. Prevent the blades of a fan from spinning using a pencil when cleaning it.

Follow up the cleaning with removing all dust particles that could be found in the RAM slots using compressed air still. Do this severally for each slot. After that, use the compressed air to blow away loose dust particles from the power supply unit and the CPU fan. The fan blades can also be cleaned using a cotton swab. Though cumbersome, it will be good for a thorough cleaning exercise. Blowing off the dust from the computer case should be done first and the rest be removed using a damp cloth. After cleaning them, fans should be given a quick spin to ensure that they are moving freely. If they don’t, it’s best to replace them.

If you have a Custom Built Computer, you may need to use zip ties to tuck away cabling in order to fit them right.  All cables should first be disconnected before tying them together. Take note of how they were connected for purposes of making reference later on after you have tied them together. This is a sure way of de-cluttering all the cables in a custom built computer. This will leave your computer clean, well-organized and safe for operations. Once all the cleaning is done, all cables should be plugged back to where they belong. Take back all detached peripherals also. Once cleaned and assembled back together, it should look as good as new. No part should be left wet when doing the final assembly.

Regular physical cleaning of your computer is needed to keep up with its performance. It will help deal with any issues of overheating and give you an easy time using it. Here is how to go about the physical cleaning process.