Vacuuming and Dusting Your Computer

Work from the top down and from the outside in-with the power off and the pieces unplugged.

Start with the monitor. You can use your regular vacuum cleaner for this part; if you have a brush attachment, use it. Run your vacuum hose up and down all the slots at the top and sides of the monitor. This is where most of the dust settles. Work down to the tilt-swivel base and vacuum that, too. You might need a narrow hose extension to reach in there.

Next, vacuum your printer, speakers, and any other devices. If dust is stuck to a device, wipe it off with a damp (not soaking-wet) paper towel.

The system unit comes next. When vacuuming, be sure you vacuum all the ventilation holes and any gaps that allow air to flow into the system unit, including the power button, the DVD drive, open drive bays, and so on.

Now take the cover off the system unit and vacuum any dusty areas. You can't just poke your vacuum hose in there, though. Use only a vacuum designed for computers.

Don't use a DustBuster, your regular vacuum cleaner, or your ShopVac. These can suck components off your circuit boards and can emit enough static electricity to fry a component. A computer vacuum is gentle and grounded. Also be careful not to suck up any loose screws. Before you begin, touch a metal part of the case to discharge any static electricity from your body, and keep your fingers away from the circuit boards. Dust likes to collect around the fan, ventilation holes, and disk drives. Try to vacuum the fan blades, too. If you can't get the tip of the vacuum between the blades, gently wipe them off with a cotton swab. Some fans have a filter where the fan is mounted. If you're really ambitious, remove the fan (be careful with the wires) and clean the filter.

(Alternatively, take your PC outside and blow the dust out using your can of compressed air. Be careful spraying the air against internal components. Compressed air can be very cold and can cause condensation to form on sensitive electrical components.)

You can use a can of compressed air to blow dust off external peripheral devices as well, such as your keyboard and speakers.