Dust And Noise Alert: How Often Should I Clean My Computer?

Summary: This article shares valuable tips for physically cleaning your computer and tech devices. Learn the importance of cleaning as part of regular IT maintenance. If you are still having computer performance issues after performing basic cleaning maintenance, contact your computer repair specialists.

Computers are an essential part of day-to-day activities and contribute to our quality of life. We want fast and reliable computers that perform when needed. However, computers need care. To function at peak performance, they must receive routine IT maintenance inside and out. Ironically, many people use their computers more than they drive their cars. Yet, they clean their vehicles regularly but ignore their computers and devices. How often you clean your computer may also depend on the environment that you use it in. Devices used in dusty or greasy locations will require more frequent cleaning.

Unfortunately, dust is everywhere, and a gradual buildup of dust can cause damage to various parts of your computer through overheating and obstructing smooth mechanical functions. Computer have built-in fans and vents to keep internal components cool. When they get coated with dust or other debris, the fan cannot function properly. Dirt, grit and dust are the enemies of tech devices if they are not addressed through regular cleaning. This article discusses physically cleaning computer hardware and its components. Here are a few essential tips:

• Blowing Out and Dusting Your Keyboards – A can of compressed air is your computer’s friend. These tools are great because they can clear out dust and dirt from your keyboard without being intrusive and risking damage to circuitry or components. At the very least, turn the keyboard upside down and gently shake it to dislodge crumbs, hair and dust.
• How to Clean Computer Screens and Monitors – Screens and monitors are not windowpanes. Do not use glass cleaners and paper towels. All screens and monitors must be handled with the utmost care to prevent permanent damage. Here’s how to clean computer screens:
  • Using a soft, slightly damp cloth, wipe them gently. Screens are fragile and can be damaged by applying too much pressure. We recommend wiping down all your screens and monitors at least once weekly. Special screen cleaning cloths are sold that are designed to not scratch the screen.
• Cleaning a Non-Optical Mouse – If you use an old-school mouse, the rollerball inside must be cleaned often. Any dust or dirt can cause the internal mechanism to malfunction. If your mouse is corded, unplug it from your system first. Then, flip the mouse onto its top side and remove the cover and the ball. Once it is opened, blow out everything with compressed air and gently clean the ball and mechanism with a soft cloth and a small amount of alcohol (removes grease).
• Cleaning an Optical Mouse – Blow out the spaces on the sides of the scroll wheel with compressed air. Then, wipe the entire surface with a bit of alcohol applied to a soft cloth.
• Keeping Food and Liquids Away – If you are the kind of computer user who likes to keep working through lunch, you should take steps to ensure that none of your food or drink can fall on your devices. Liquids can short out circuits, and particles of food can seriously damage internal components.
• Internal Cleaning – Twice per year, if you are confident about opening your computer’s case, unplug your machine and prepare to clean it. Gently use a miniature hand-held vacuum designed for electronics or a can of compressed air to reach as far into your computer as possible to remove as much dust and grime as you can.

Cleaning MacBooks

Although many of the same cleaning techniques used for PCs are also applicable to cleaning MacBooks, extra care must be taken. Apple suggests never using any chemical solutions to clean a MacBook. A can of compressed air and a soft, clean microfiber cloth are essential to the process. Here’s what to do:

• For Your Keyboard – The keys on a MacBook keyboard cannot be easily removed without risking damage. Compressed air is your only option unless you have the skills to dismantle your machine completely and remove the keyboard.
• Crevices, Hinges and Ports – Dirt and grime get into everything over time. It is wise to blow out all crevices around the display, the laptop hinges and ports on your MacBook.
  • Ports – In addition to cleaning out ports with compressed air, you may also use a dry cotton swab to clean the ports more thoroughly. Clean the ports in a well-lighted area, taking care not to push dirt particles deeper into them accidentally. Cleaning the MacBook ports will help ensure a solid connection with any peripheral devices plugged into your MacBook.

Eventually, a dirty computer will start to give the user warning signs of potential problems to come. One of the most common signs that your computer needs cleaning is noise coming from the cooling fan. When the fan is left dusty, the buildup reduces its cooling efficiency and propels dirt deeper into the machine. As a result, the fan does not cool efficiently, and circuits and components begin to overheat, causing the computer to slow down, malfunction, freeze or shut down. If these signs are neglected, more problems will ensue that could eventually ruin your computer beyond repair.

Computers are costly and must be cared for if they are expected to function at peak performance. All computer devices require IT maintenance on a regular schedule. As we depend on them for many different functions, cleaning and maintaining them must be an ongoing priority. If you are still uncertain about how to clean your computer devices or are uncomfortable with the cleaning process, it is worth hiring a professional home technology consultant to help you establish computer cleaning protocols or set a yearly appointment to clean, update and check all your tech devices.