Clean Your PC for Better Performance

Is Bad Computer Hygiene Causing Poor Performance?
August 2009
by Robin Wark

While the brains of your computer are the disks and code within, the body is also important. A dirty computer can be marred by poor performance. The display can be hard to read and the PC might not function properly as dust bunnies affect the performance of the fans, which keep your computer cool and operating correctly. Cleaning the outside of your computer is an easy way to help keep it running right.

Before cleaning your computer, make sure it is turned off. Once you are finished cleaning, check your connections to make sure something did not come loose when you were scrubbing.

Exterior
The simplest way to clean your computer case is with a damp, soft and lint-free cloth. If there is a difficult stain you can use a mild cleaning solution. Always spray the cleaning solution into the cloth and not directly onto the computer.

Vents/Fans
One of the most important tasks is clearing the ventilation areas so that air can flow in and out to keep your PC from overheating. You can use a cloth or a can of compressed air to clean these areas. However, be careful about spraying compressed air onto the fans. It can make the fan go faster than it is supposed to and could damage it. You may wish to wear a mask, or take precautions to avoid a mouthful of dust. You can use a cotton swap around the outside area or even use it to hold the fan in place while you spray.

Keyboard
You can also use compressed air to remove those cookie crumbs that fall into your keyboard. A battery powered vacuum designed for cleaning computers is also useful. Do not use a standard vacuum, since it can cause a great deal of static electricity, which could hurt your PC. You can also carefully use a disinfectant on a cloth to clean your keys.

For preventative care, if you spill something into your keyboard, turn your computer off immediately. Once it is shutdown, quickly flip the keyboard over to stop the liquid from penetrating into the circuits. You can then shake it to get as much liquid out as possible. While holding it upside down (you might need a partner for this), use a cloth to try to clean more of it. After you have cleaned it the best you can, let it sit overnight upside down.

Ports
You can use compressed air to clean your input and output ports, including ones for USB devices. However, it is vital to avoid blowing dirt into the ports. Cotton swabs can also be utilized here.

LCD
If you have a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, you can use a microfiber, preferably lint-free, cloth or Swiffer-like duster to clean the screen. Remember to press gently and not to use a paper towel as it could scratch the LCD. If your display requires more cleaning, you can use a light cleaner or running alcohol. It is best to spray it into a cloth first and then apply it.

Monitor
If you have an old-school glass monitor, you can use ordinary household glass cleaner. However, make sure your monitor is glass before using this. On some special screens, household cleaners, especially if they contain ammonia, can damage the anti-glare protective coating or leave a film. Also, when cleaning these large monitors, you should check to see if something has been piled up on or next to the display that would block the vents. This could cause the monitor to overheat.

As well as improving performance, cleaning your PC can also help prevent illness in your home by slowing the spread of germs Also, cleaning can help your computer look new for longer. Just like a clean car, a sparkling PC just seems to work better.