Cleaning the computer does not only mean cleaning it internally of unwanted files and viruses. Computers must also be cleaned externally of dust, dirt, and other residues.
Does cleaning your computer only make it look shiny and new? Not! A dusty and dirty computer can harm the computer in the long run.
Dust accumulation in computers can cause them to overheat, slow down and even increase fire risks.
So, if you want your computer to operate smoothly for years, cleaning them frequently is essential.
Generally, computers must be cleaned at least every eight to ten months. Meanwhile, laptops should be cleaned every three to six months. The frequency of cleaning needs might increase depending on the computer placement, user habits like smoking, keeping pets near the computer, the number of users, etc.
This article will guide you on the cleaning frequency needs of computers depending on various factors and the cleaning needs of computer parts separately.
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Signs your Computer Needs Cleaning
The primary sign that your computer needs cleaning is a dusty-looking computer.
However, multiple signs indicate the need for cleaning that might as easily catch your attention.
1. Loud or Fast fan
If your computer fan is too loud or is running at high speed, there is a high chance of dust accumulation near the fan.
Because of the airflow limits caused by the dust, fans must run at a higher speed to sufficiently cool the system.
The heat isn’t being released effectively because there’s a coating of dust on the components, so the fans work harder than they would if the system was clean.
2. Dust Outside of the Computer
If there is dust accumulation outside the computer, then the dust might be accumulated inside the computer.
You may clean it yourself or hire someone to do it for you.
3. Overheated Computer
If your computer feels hot to touch, then the computer might be overheated, and one of the main reasons for overheating is dust accumulation.
Dust accumulation in fans and vents stops the fan from circulating air which traps the heat inside the computer’s components, causing it to overheat.
Can Dust Harm your Computer?
Dust accumulation can harm your computer by lowering its cooling capacity.
In addition, the dust accumulated in fans and vents disturbs the air circulation and overheats the computer.
According to research, dust may get into electrical connectors and cause them to overheat. This process can eventually reduce the lifespan of the computer’s components.
Dust can also slow down the computer’s working efficiency.
The intake fans draw dirt and dust, which settles around the vents and on the motherboard.
Dust may cause your computer to overheat and malfunction if it is not removed regularly. It can also cause a short circuit, causing your motherboard to fail.
A dusty computer is also a high Fire risk. The dust can cause overheating, which increases the risk of an explosion.
Factors that Determine Frequency of Computer Cleaning
How often you clean your computer depends on factors like Placement, habits, Pets, etc.
1. Placement of the Computer
The frequency of cleaning a computer is also determined by the environment in which the computer is placed.
For instance, a computer in an industrial cleanroom will not get dusty easily.
However, computers used in CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines in a cabinet shop would certainly require more frequent clean-up.
Another important factor is where the computer is exactly placed as computers placed on the floor need more cleaning.
More frequent cleaning is needed due to higher chances of dust from the floor being swept inside the computer.
Compared to floor placement, computers placed on shelves or desks require much less cleaning.
In addition, if you place the computer on a carpeted floor, there are high chances of blockage of the power supply’s intake fan leading to more dust accumulation.
Refer to the table below for detailed information on the frequency of cleaning a computer based on its placement.
| Computer Placement | Frequency of Cleaning |
|---|---|
| Home environment | 10 months |
| Clean office environment | 10 months |
| Construction Industry | 9 months |
| School | 8 months |
| Floor | 10 months |
| Carpeted Room Floor | 10 months |
Related Article: Should you put your PC on Carpet?
2. Pets Near the Computer
Pets are a great addition to your home but certainly harmful to your computers.
If you have dogs, cats, or hair-shedding pets, it’s wise to keep them away from your computer and the room it is kept in.
Pets shed tons of hair daily, which ultimately gets trapped inside the computer through vents and openings.
Firstly, it can get stuck on fans and stop them from operating, which will heat your computer quite easily and can even permanently damage the components.
Secondly, they act as natural insulators to keep pets warm.
So, the hair trapped inside the computer would be a heat blanket for all the heat generated quickly overheating the computer system.
Vacating your room every day if you have pets is recommended. You should also clean your computer every nine months.
3. Habits of the User
Habits of users seem far-fetched in correlation with computer cleaning. Nevertheless, the user’s habit strongly determines the need for cleaning the computer.
People who have a habit of smoking next to the computer need to clean their computer at least once in nine months.
The main reason is that smoking causes tar and dust to combine to form a sticky substance deposited inside the computer.
The deposition interferes with the computer’s cooling system by blocking the fans.
If you have a habit of eating or drinking by the computer, there are high chances of liquid spillage or food crumbs landing on the computer.
So, you will need to clean the computer more frequently.
The keyboard would look dirty more quickly due to food stains, and the crumbs can accumulate underneath the keys making the keys harder to press.
So, you will need to clean the computer at least once every ten months if you have such a habit.
For your reference, a survey conducted in Nigeria showed that only 13.5 % of respondents maintained a proper handwashing routine while using the computers, and 52.1 % had a habit of eating next to the computer.
These habits can cause the transfer of microbes to the keyboard and mouse, which can be transmitted to other users.
Therefore, completely disinfect the computer’s exterior at least once every month if you have such habits.
4. Number of Users
The more the number of users for a computer, the more frequent cleaning it requires.
When more people use a single computer, the possibility of the transfer of germs and microbes is higher. The germs could also spread to different users.
To reduce the health hazard to users, you should clean the computer more than once in 11 months if the user is more than two.
How Often should you Clean your Computer?
The computer fans pull air from outside through its vents to keep the computer cool.
Unfortunately, this also brings in hair, dust, and lint.
Build up of such substances inside the computer must be cleaned up periodically for the smooth operation of the computer.
It would help if you cleaned the computer’s interior at least once every six to twelve months, and the exterior must be dusted once a week or twice, depending on the exterior environment.
So it’s better if you clean it once every three months.
Every component of a computer has its own cleaning frequency needs. For instance, the keyboard we touch daily needs more frequent clean-up.
The table below will give you a quick overview.
| Computer Parts | Frequency of cleaning |
|---|---|
| Keyboard | At least once every week |
| Computer Fan | At least once a month |
| Case | At least once a week. |
| CPU heatsink | Every three to six months |
| The motherboard of the CPU | Routine cleaning: Every six months Deep cleaning: When the motherboard has been exposed to a filthy environment or has had anything spilled on it. |
| Power supply | Every two to three months |
| Computer Vents | Every 3 to 6 months |
| Mouse | Wipe after every use |
| Tower | Once a Year |
| Monitor | Every three to six months |
| Ports | Atleast once every three to six months |
1. Cleaning the Keyboard
We are in constant contact with the computer’s keyboard, so the part of the computer gets dirty the most.
Dirt, dust, food, hair, etc., anything can accumulate underneath the keys, blocking the keys from being pressed easily.
A British study shows that swabs taken from Keyboards in London contain more harmful bacteria than a toilet seat.
Infrequent cleaning of the keyboard was found to be the primary reason behind this.
You should clean the Keyboards at least once every week.
Not only do dirt and dust slow down your average words per minute, but it also increases the likelihood of hardware failure and the accumulation of germs.
Mechanical keyboards require more maintenance than regular keyboards since dirt may fall into the bigger gaps between the keys.
However, cleaning it every week will keep it as good as new.
2. Cleaning the Computer Fan
The computer fans get dirty faster as air from outside is filled with dust, dust, and hair gets sept inside the vents towards the fan.
The accumulation can slow down the fan and even stop it from moving.
It would help if you cleaned computer fans at least once a month to keep them moving without disruption.
3. Case cleaning
Dusty CPU case is easily noticeable as the exterior of the CPU easily forms a film of dust.
It would help if you cleaned your computer case at least once weekly. However, the cleaning frequency of the CPU case depends on the environment.
For example, dusty areas and rooms close to the street can accumulate dust quickly on your computer.
Quick Tip: Run your fingers through the CPU case and if you can see your fingermark, it’s time to wipe it down.
4. CPU Heatsinks Cleaning
CPU heatsink should be cleaned at least once every three to six months.
The fan blows a lot of dust across the tightly spaced heatsink, so the heatsink/fan region collects a lot of dust.
As dust builds up on the heatsink blades, it insulates them and reduces their capacity to vent the heat generated by the processor.
As a result, the CPU cooling fan spins faster to pull sufficient air through the heatsink to cool the processor.
Unfortunately, the heatsink’s air channels ultimately get entirely clogged, and the heatsink’s capacity to cool the CPU is lost.
The CPU becomes extremely heated, losing data, system lock-ups, and even processor destruction.
5. The Motherboard of the CPU
Dust and dirt can obstruct connections to the motherboard and even cause your computer to shut down, mostly because they raise the board’s temperature.
Cleaning motherboards can be done in two ways: routine and deep cleaning.
Cleaning should be done regularly as part of your computer maintenance program, which should be done every six months.
Deep cleaning involves the use of alcohol and extreme caution.
However, this cleaning is required when the motherboard has been exposed to a filthy environment or has had anything spilled.
Cleaning equipment like Compressed Air is used to clean the inside of a computer.
However, it is also possible to clean the computer without using compressed air.
Read the article, How to Clean PC and Laptop Without Compressed Air?
6. Cleaning Power Supply
It’s essential to clean your power supply regularly if you want it to last as long as possible.
Generally, it would help if you cleaned your power supply every two to three months.
If your computer produces a grinding noise when it starts up or shuts down, it strongly indicates that your power supply needs to be serviced.
7. Computer Vents Cleaning
Computer vents allow air from the external environment to enter your computer system. So, it gets much dirtier than the internal spaces.
Depending on the environment’s dust, you should clean the computer vents every 3-6 months.
8. Mouse Cleaning
Mouse with dust and dirt accumulation will lose speed and ease of movement.
The cleaning needs for equipment like mice and keyboards have increased since the start of the pandemic.
According to research, the coronavirus can survive on plastic and steel surfaces for 72 hours.
Out of Swabs taken from 200 mouse used in Sudanese universities in Khartoum, 61.5% yielded bacterial growth.
To keep yourself and other users safe, wipe it down and disinfect the mouse and keyboard exterior after every use.
Related article: How to Clean RGB Mousepad?
9. Cleaning the PC Tower
The regularity with which you should clean your computer depends entirely on the environment in which it is kept.
Towers placed on the floor are more exposed to dust, pet hair, and carpet particles, but towers on top of a desk are less exposed.
It would help if you cleaned your computer tower at least once a year.
However, cleaning is required every six months if the tower is placed on the floor.
10. Cleaning the Monitor
Monitors can form a film of dust and stains from coughing or sneezing.
Even though dust and dirt do not cause long-term harm to the monitor, they can strain your eyes as stains and dust can make it very hard to see the screen.
The monitor should be cleaned every three to six months, while the monitor screen can be wiped as frequently as daily, depending upon the external environment.
Related article: What to Use to Clean Laptop/Computer Screen?
11. Cleaning the Ports
While cleaning computers, the dirt on ports often goes unnoticed.
However, the ports in frequent use are likely to be filled with dust since they receive more input actions than other ports.
It would help if you cleaned the ports at least once every three to six months.
How Often should you Clean your Laptop?
Adopt a good maintenance and cleaning schedule every three to six months to maintain your computer clean and free of germs.
If there is a lot of dust after cleaning, you may increase the cleaning frequency to decrease dust and debris accumulation.
The keyboard, trackpad, and laptop screen can be stained with dust, fingerprints, and stains.
More often, if you have a habit of eating while using your laptop, it can get dirty faster.
Dust can easily coat your laptop as users in bags take it and even use it outdoors.
Laptop placement also determines the cleaning frequency. For example, if used in a dirty place, it should be cleaned more frequently.
What Happens If you Don’t Clean your Computer?
The computer should be cleaned frequently; there could be problems like overheating, health issues, and even Fire.
1. Health Hazards
Dust and dirt are easily noticed on computers. However, germs and bacteria can accumulate even when the computer is seemingly clean.
If you have a habit of eating and using the computer simultaneously, there might be even more chances of germs accumulating on your keyboard and mouse.
The bacteria, mold, and dust accumulated over time can cause health hazards like allergies and even trigger asthma.
According to research, Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can live up to a day on keyboard surfaces.
MRSA in otherwise healthy individuals causes skin infections. MRSA is resistant to antibiotics and can cause skin boils and blood poisoning.
Users might also have a habit of sneezing without coving their mouth or touching the keyboard or other parts without sanitizing their hands.
Such habits can easily spread transmitted surface diseases like Rhinovirus, Influenza, and even coronavirus.
According to research, covid-19 can spread via surface transmission through the shared use of equipment.
Therefore, computers used by multiple users have a high chance of spreading diseases to other users.
2. Shorter Lifespan of the Computer
The computer requires ventilation and circulation to prevent overheating internal components such as the CPU and hard drive.
Fans ensure that your computer receives sufficient airflow and thus remains cool.
In addition to the cool external air, fans help transport dust particles throughout your computer.
Dust from flowing through your computer can accumulate on the fan and other interior parts if left unattended for a long time.
As a result, the dust serves as an insulator, causing the components to operate hotter than they would otherwise.
And allowing your computer components to overheat is one of the most harmful things you can do because it drastically reduces the lifespan of your computer if not addressed.
Fans, motherboards, and other internal parts can get damaged if overheating continues.
4. Quick Battery Drain
Your laptop works harder to perform efficiently when the system overheats, which causes the fans to run at full speed to keep the computer cool.
The maximum speed of the fan causes your laptop battery to drain quickly.
5. Computer Performance might Get Slower
Dust accumulation also decreases your computer’s speed.
When dust is accumulated in fans or heatsinks, it cannot work efficiently to circulate air inside the computer, which causes heat retention. This causes computer efficiency to decrease.
When the computer overheats, reaching 100 or 105 degrees Celsius, the processor starts throttling to avoid overheating.
The throttling process slows the computer to draw less power and dissipate less heat.
6. It might Cause Fire Hazards
Dust can accumulate in the vents and fans, disrupting the computer system’s airflow. This causes the system to heat up.
The risk of fire is higher when the computer reaches over 100 degrees Celcius.
For more details on the risk of a Laptop catching on fire, read the article; What are the Chances of Laptop Catching on a Fire?
7. Bad Appearance of the Computer
The dusty computer gives the impression of an unprofessional workstation.
The appearance of computers and workstations influences the overall image of any Company or professional.
Related article; 16 Ways to Enhance Your Home Office Desk’s Aesthetic
Things to Consider Before Cleaning your Computer
Your computer requires frequent cleaning. However, you should use the correct cleaning methods to cause no harm during the cleaning process.
In addition, you should also pay attention to some things before cleaning your computer, which is discussed below.
- Ensure the computer is turned off before cleaning it, and remove all the cables.
- Do not spray any liquid into the computer components.
- While cleaning fans, hold the blades in place to prevent them from spinning.
- Paper towels and other abrasive items should not be used.
- Keep in mind that cleaning supplies and techniques for PCs and Macs may differ significantly.
Final Verdict
The computer should be cleaned both externally and internally for maintenance.
The motherboard, fan, case, and accessory equipment like the keyboard and mouse must be cleaned timely for proper functioning.
Although dust in computers might seem insignificant, it can cause component failure in the long run.
The placement, habits, and users can influence the need for cleaning computers.
So, you should place your computers in clean areas and avoid eating or drinking near it.
