[SOLVED] Simplest way to clean your PC from dust?

[Spirals]

Alright, I've seen from many other threads about cleaning your PC, I see most of them are using leaf blowers, Vacuum Cleaners etc. But this is my first time having a PC, and I'll be honest with you that I am still quite young. So I have little or no knowledge about taking out parts and cleaning them individually.

I don't wanna destroy my PC, But I really don't want my PC covered with dusts. So what should I do? Should I get help from others that have more knowledge? Or is there another way to clean it?

Please, I need answers 😀

 

[logainofhades]

This would pay for itself, vs buying canned air all the time. I would recommend doing it, with the PC unplugged.

https://www.amazon.com/Compucleaner-Durable-Plastic-Electric-Pressure/dp/B07RKYWBD2

 

[Math Geek]

compressed air in a can works fine if a vacuum scares you. i've used a shop-vac for many years to blow out dust and never had an issue with it.

the only thing to note which i am sure is in every other thread asking this question. don't blow directly into fans and let them spin wildly. hold a finger on it or otherwise stop it from spinning for a second while blowing the dust away. letting it spin too fast can damage the fan. then move on to other parts. should only take a minute to do a whole case. especially if you do it every month or 2, it won't have time to build up any major sticky dust.

 

[jay32267]

I would say.....don't get too concerned about cleaning. I don't think it's as critical as it's sometimes made out to be.

I clean my PCs only when I do an upgrade.....which might be once a year or less.

Although I only power my PCs when using them. If you run 24/7 I would recommend cleaning maybe every 6-12 months or so.

As far as how I do it.....I just use compressed air blown from a safe distance.

That's all I do.

I think you would be amazed at how dirty a PC can be and still run. I maintain many of them in a filthy plant. Dirt isn't a big problem.

 

[R_1]

the tool you need is canned air.
compressed air unless well filtered can have water and oil droplets in the air stream and are not suggested.
vacuum cleaners are fine when used in conjunction to proper grounding AND canned air.
ground yourself details below. keep the vacuum hose away from the computer by at least 1 ft, using short burst from canned air use the vacuum at distance to capture the removed particulate in the air.

leaf blowers can also have debris in the stream unless you have one only used for computer cleaning.

a word about grounding
Canned Grounding Rant-
shut down system and remove side panel. with the power cable plugged into the PSU touch a bare unpainted metal area of the case. (my favorite spot is an unpainted screw securing the PSU) once you have grounded yourself you can unplug the computers power cable from the PSU and can touch the system.
if you move your feet, or shuffle in your chair, plug in the cord, reground yourself and unplug again.
end canned rant-

 

[boju]

As said compressed air in a can is best. Many pc stores if not all stock them and would find easily enough on Amazon as well. Do it outside lol, can be amazed how much dust can come out.

Won't harm anything if you give it a spray at least twice a year, wouldn't worry about it too much unless you live in a dusty environment.

Vacuum cleaners are useless, they don't suck up fine dust stuck to fans and wont pull out dust clogs between heatsink fins.

Holding fans while blowing is good advice, don't want to over exert the fan bearings.

Using a compressor is ok to use if the tank release valve is fully opened between uses. Condensation does build if valve is closed.

 

[Math Geek]

Vacuum cleaners are useless, they don't suck up fine dust stuck to fans and wont pull out dust clogs between heatsink fins.

the idea is to flip the switch so it blows air. is why i use a small shop-vac. simply slip the switch and it'll blow all kinds of stuff out of the case. outside though is a good idea to prevent that dust cloud from choking everyone nearby.

 

[boju]

the idea is to flip the switch so it blows air. is why i use a small shop-vac. simply slip the switch and it'll blow all kinds of stuff out of the case.

True, forgot about the reverse. Have an industrial vc with a separate connection for that. Never noticed my inside Dyson vc having a reverse switch, if it has one I'll check it out one day.

 

[Math Geek]

but yah i agree that trying to suck the dust out is not really useful. unless it's a super powerful one like you get at self car washes and such. but then it would likely suck the cables out and other fun things

 

[boju]

and other fun things

Yeah really handy when someone chunders in your car 😝 those have some power lol.

 

[Spirals]

compressed air in a can works fine if a vacuum scares you. i've used a shop-vac for many years to blow out dust and never had an issue with it.

the only thing to note which i am sure is in every other thread asking this question. don't blow directly into fans and let them spin wildly. hold a finger on it or otherwise stop it from spinning for a second while blowing the dust away. letting it spin too fast can damage the fan. then move on to other parts. should only take a minute to do a whole case. especially if you do it every month or 2, it won't have time to build up any major sticky dust.

Right, thank you for the answer 😀 But Is it necessary to pull out the motherboard, wash the parts individually or clean the old thermal paste and put another dip? Yeah something like that..

 

[Spirals]

As said compressed air in a can is best. Many pc stores if not all stock them and would find easily enough on Amazon as well. Do it outside lol, can be amazed how much dust can come out.

Won't harm anything if you give it a spray at least twice a year, wouldn't worry about it too much unless you live in a dusty environment.

Vacuum cleaners are useless, they don't suck up fine dust stuck to fans and wont pull out dust clogs between heatsink fins.

Holding fans while blowing is good advice, don't want to over exert the fan bearings.

Using a compressor is ok to use if the tank release valve is fully opened between uses. Condensation does build if valve is closed.

Thanks for the answer really appreciated it

 

[Math Geek]

Right, thank you for the answer 😀 But Is it necessary to pull out the motherboard, wash the parts individually or clean the old thermal paste and put another dip? Yeah something like that..

the only time i dismantle a pc like that is when a client brings me one that is just totally filthy, after a few years the dust gets so sticky and clings everywhere that the only way to really get it out is to do it by hand. especially if they are smokers, then that tar plugs up everything after a couple years. but for routine cleaning, it is not needed. i don't know how often people suggest replacing thermal paste but for me it's about every 2 years give or take if all is running well. it will last much longer, but if you're gaming and doing other taxing work, then waiting 5 years for the paste to dry out completely and start causing issues, is too long in my opinion.

i replace it for my clients depending on the age of the system and if i had to remove the heatsink or not. more than 3 years old and i replace it, younger and running fine, then i'll leave it be for later. of course if i have to take it apart, then it gets replaced no matter the age.

 

[Karadjgne]

I've used a vacuum for years. Pc goes side down on the desk, pop the cover, grab vac nozzel and frame and use a 1" artists paintbrush on everything to stir up the dust. Problem I have with canned air is in more humid areas, the dust gets goopy and sticks like a coat of paint that compressed air won't touch. Paintbrush always works, can clean almost anywhere. I'll use the can for the ugly areas like around the i/o shield etc.

Word about fans when using any forced air like leaf blowers, vacs in blow, even canned air. Be very careful. Not only is it damaging to the fans bearings to allow them to spin freely, but the sheer volume of posts with busted gpu blades is staggering. Even holding the blade can put extreme stress on the connection to the motor, resulting in damage/broken blades. So never fully direct airflow on the full fan, only on a blade per blade basis.