How to clean your computer inside and out: Tips and tricks

Tips for cleaning the exterior of your PC

Computers don’t need an intense cleaning routine to keep them looking new, but shining them up can make a big difference. Before cleaning your computer, unplug and turn it off completely. This prevents any potential damage during cleaning. Turning off your PC ensures you avoid electrical hazards and accidental short circuits.

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How to clean your screen

First, you’ll need a dry cloth. Wipe down your computer screen to remove excess dust. Then, dampen the cloth with water—make sure the fabric isn’t too wet, as any dripping liquid may damage the internal parts of your computer.

Keep your keyboard spotless

Crumbs, dust, and sticky keys happen to the best of us. Your keyboard will likely need regular cleaning if you eat while working on your computer. Hold a can of compressed air (duster) a few inches away from your keys and spray. Then, remove the crumbs from the surface of your keys.

Once there’s no more visible debris, start cleaning the keyboard with a clean cloth, isopropyl alcohol, and cotton swabs. Dampen your cloth with alcohol and run it over the full keyboard before using cotton swabs to clean between the keys. Be careful not to soak your cleaning supplies in alcohol so it doesn’t seep into your computer and damage internal parts.

Don’t forget the mouse

Don’t skip this step if you use a desktop computer or a laptop with an external mouse. There’s no need to clean the inside of your mouse, but regular use may make the exterior sticky or smudged. Unplug or remove the batteries before using a clean cloth and a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to wipe clean, but take care not to get any liquid inside. If it still looks worn after thoroughly cleaning, it might be time for a new computer mouse.

Tips for cleaning the inside of your computer

You won’t need to clean the hardware inside of your device for most personal computers. However, older desktop computers may need the occasional internal cleaning, and there are plenty of ways to clean up the hardware components and digital clutter that may impede performance.

How to dust inside your PC

Most laptops aren’t meant to be opened by their users, which makes cleaning inside challenging. Some laptop warranties may also be voided after the bottom panel has been opened. For most modern laptops, you won’t need to clean inside regularly. However, if you notice visible dust in the vents of your laptop, it’s worth opening up for a quick clean, as dust buildup can cause your device to overheat.

Power down your laptop before unscrewing the bottom panel. While cleaning, remove the battery inside. Use a can of compressed air to blow short bursts of air at the internal parts of your computer. Make sure you’re blowing the dust out of the computer and not just moving it around.

Is your desktop computer running slowly or making more noise than normal? Cleaning the hardware inside may solve the problem. Your computer’s fan pulls air inside to cool the internal components, inviting in dust. This dust builds up gradually and can keep your hardware from cooling itself, which can lead to overheating. Desktop computers tend to be easier to take apart for cleaning, so it’s a good habit to clean inside regularly.

To dust inside your computer, turn it off completely. Open the case of your desktop’s tower and use a duster to spray inside until all of the dust is removed. Avoid using a vacuum cleaner, as it creates static electricity that can damage your device. Rubbing the internal components of your PC with a rag or feather duster may also cause damage.

How to clean computer files

Cleaning the inside of your computer means eliminating unnecessary files and applications that are slowing you down. Depending on your computer’s processing system, you’ll take different steps to clean out files, but it’s the same general process for any device.

In the search box on your computer’s taskbar, enter “disk cleanup” and select Disk Cleanup from the results. Select Clean up system files to delete temporary system files and free up extra space on your device. Double-check what files you’re deleting before clearing them, and when in doubt, back up your data to cloud storage or an external drive.

Clear your browser history

If your computer still runs slowly, clear your browser history for extra storage space and boosted performance. Navigate to your preferred web browser, open settings, and delete browser history.

Once you’ve wiped down your device and freed up precious storage space, your computer should look and perform better than ever.