Air compressors blow dust from the most remote corners when cleaning your PC. However, if you blow too hard into the computer, you endanger your hardware. With these tips, the PC will be clean and stay intact.
When the computer runs hot, it is usually because its fans and cooling fins are clogged with dust. Depending on the household, this can be as little as eight to twelve months after commissioning – even faster for pet owners. PC fans almost magically attract the hair of your best friends.
The only thing that helps here is to clean the PC thoroughly, preferably with compressed air. You don’t want to reach for a vacuum cleaner: Its attachments are usually too big to get into the small corners of a desktop computer, and because of its suction power it is only too happy to inhale small parts such as soldered capacitors. Total loss is imminent.
It is better to blow dust out of the computer and vacuum it up afterwards if necessary. This is made possible by handy air compressors or compressed air bottles. However, caution is advised with large air compressors: If they are set too high, you can destroy the hardware because the pressure blows off the capacitors.
Clean PC with air compressor
If you want to be on the safe side, you can use an air compressor that was specially developed for computers. A formidable device is the IT Duster’s CompuCleaner Xpert. Its attachments and brush heads set it apart from the competition. They are designed to get into the remotest corners of the computer and also to rid peripherals like keyboards of dust. Two power levels decide how hard the computer cleaner blows. The only downside: the device is wired.
It’s a bit smaller and handier Reesibi Rotatable Electric Dust Blower. The manufacturer relies on a battery that you charge using the supplied mini USB cable. In addition to the normal head, the dust blower comes with a brush head. Nice: Both variants are movable so that you can get into the corners better when cleaning.
If you don’t just want to clean your PC, you can also purchase a small compressor Make sense. Incidentally, you can also easily inflate bicycle tires or air mattresses with it. However, comfort functions such as different brush heads are missing.
Alternatively, grab it compressed air sprays. Compared to compressors, however, the “air” is quite expensive, which is why the investment in an air compressor pays off after a few cleanings.
Another tool in the overview
Without the right tools, no job is really enjoyable – but with the right equipment, even cleaning a dirty computer is satisfying. An air compressor alone is rarely enough to thoroughly clean the computer. An overview:
1. Anti-static tape
A Anti Static Tape is not absolutely necessary. You can also discharge yourself on grounded objects. However, with the bracelet you are a little less stressed and carefree on the road.
2. Rubbing alcohol
Electronics and water never mix well when the components are still connected to the power supply. However, even if all parts are unloaded, it is advisable to rather on rubbing alcohol than to sit on water. It evaporates faster and poses less risk of an accident.
3. Microfiber towels
Kitchen paper should not be used for cleaning. This runs the risk of the paper towels catching on small corners and edges, leaving behind residue that is difficult to remove. Sturdy ones are better microfiber towels. However, you should not use them too harshly either.
4. Clean PC with air compressor: toothbrush
With an unused toothbrush, remove the very coarse dirt at the beginning. And that’s not all: if it’s made of plastic, the toothbrush is great for holding remote fans. You should always do this with non-conductive objects.
5. Fine tuning with a fine brush
After the PC has been cleaned with compressed air, there is usually still a thin layer of dust on individual components. You will with one Paint brush Come on. But make sure that the brush is made of real hair. Synthetic hair can build up static electricity and damage hardware.
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How to proceed with cleaning
- complete calculator
- Press the power button for about ten seconds to get rid of residual power
- Discharge or put on antistatic wrist strap
- Remove side and front doors and clean separately
- Take out the dust filter and clean it separately
- Go to work in the computer – hold the fan while blowing through! Do not use any metal objects for this
- Remove stubborn dust with a brush
- Check the PC for small parts that have fallen off
Next tips: It is better to clean in front of the door
Depending on how dirty the hardware is, it can make sense to do the cleaning in front of the door, because otherwise you will spread tons of dust in your apartment. There should be a power outlet for the air compressor and a workbench in front of the door or in the garage. Stone floors cause nasty scratches on the case.
Computer and self discharged
Before you start, you should press and hold the computer’s power button for about ten seconds again so that residual power disappears from the components. After that, the switch of the power pack can still be set to “Off”. Before the actual work begins, you too must discharge yourself, either by wearing an anti-static wrist strap or by touching a grounded object such as a heater.
Remove detachable components
The actual procedure is simple: first remove all components of the housing, i.e. both side doors and, if necessary, the front door as well as any dust filters. It’s a good idea to have several small bowls ready for the screws so they don’t get lost. Clean all components that do not have electronics separately.
If you have time, you may use a damp cloth on non-electronic equipment such as side doors. Alternatively, you can use rubbing alcohol, which evaporates more quickly. It is best to first blow out the fine grids of the dust filters with compressed air and then clean them with a small damp brush. Before you screw the parts back to the PC, they must of course be dry.
Blow from the inside out
Cleaning the inside is a bit trickier if you don’t want to disassemble the various components. First, any dirt that you can remove by hand, you should also remove by hand. If that is too unappetizing for you, you can use an unused and dry toothbrush. If you start working with compressed air right away, you run the risk of blowing large chunks of dust into corners where you don’t want dust.
Once the worst has been eliminated, the compressed air is used. In any case, you should follow one basic rule: The PC fans must be held in place before you remove the dust with the air. With the exception of the power supply fan, you can use your fingers for this. Under no circumstances should you touch anything with your fingers in the power pack. Here the residual voltage can give you life-threatening electric shocks.
And some case fans are in such an unfavorable position that they cannot reach them with their fingers. This is where you should use a long, non-conductive object to hold the fan blade in place. The initially summoned toothbrush is excellent for this.
Logical: Always blow out of the case if possible. Otherwise, you’ll just spread the dirt around and it won’t take long for the fans to re-attract and clog it up. Caution is also required with the cooling fins of the CPU and graphics card. If possible, be careful not to blow dust into the fine openings. After blowing it off, there is usually a thin layer on SSD storage & Co. left over. You can do this with a fine brush. If the PC is clean, you should check the interior again for small parts that have fallen off.
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