Sometimes you have to clean the dust off your computer, so how often is it reasonable

The accumulation of dust is a problem faced by almost all computer users. No matter how clean your room is, or if your computer has a dust filter installed, dust will get inside, but how often should you clean it up or how?

How often should the computer be dusted

There is no hard and fast rule as to how often you should clean dust from your computer. A lot depends on the environment your PC is in.

Years of experience with many different configurations of computers have taught me that light cleaning every three to four months can bring dust down to acceptable levels. But that's just a baseline schedule, and if your computer is on a carpeted floor and cats are roaming around, it might be wise to shorten the cleaning interval to two months.

Conversely, if your computer is lifted off the floor and placed in a very clean room, it may only need a quick vacuum and compressed air blow every six months.

If you smoke around your computer, you should almost certainly clean up the dust more often. Tobacco smoke from inhaling a computer will contain tar, which will accumulate on all the ingredients in the form of a sticky residue. Dust and dirt are more likely to accumulate because these residues stick to the dust like glue and are not easily expelled by the exhaust fan.

It is important to turn on your computer to check. Don't assume that if your computer is placed in a clean room with hardwood floors, dust won't get inside.

How to safely remove accumulated dust

Cleaning up dust from your computer doesn't have to be a difficult job, but you should keep in mind that there are subtle and potentially dangerous things in that buzzing black box. You should be cautious when you clean up dust from your computer, which can also help if you have the right tools on hand.

What you need to clean your computer:

• Compressed air canister: This primary computer cleaning product is inexpensive to buy and is the easiest and safest way to remove dust from fragile parts.
• Mini Vacuum Cleaner: A small, low-powered vacuum cleaner can be used in place of compressed air or in conjunction with it as a safe way to remove all dust.
• Microfiber cloth: More useful for cleaning the outside of your computer than the inside, but also handy if you need to wipe dust off a flat inner surface.
• Anti-static wrist strap: Using a computer technician's wristband to ground will help avoid damaging delicate components when cleaning or fiddling around inside the case.

You don't have to remove every bit of dust from your computer, clean the area where dust has accumulated. The next time you boot up your computer, the action of the exhaust fan should expel most of the dust that has fallen off.

First, power off your computer, unplug the power cord from the back, and then remove the side panel. Then, lay the computer on its side, give yourself plenty of light with a lamp or flashlight, and clip the ESD wristband to the exposed metal (if you're using one).

Remove and clean any dust filters inside or outside the fan, including those that are typically installed behind the panel of the removable front housing. Use compressed air to blow dust off fan blades, radiators, and other parts within the enclosure. Dust will stubbornly stick to the fan blades, so you may have to wipe it with a cloth.

You may need to remove the graphics card to clean underneath and around it, but you don't need to remove much else unless the computer is really dusty.

If you have a mini vacuum, be careful to clean up as much loose dust as possible, but don't point the nozzle directly at the small, delicate components on the motherboard. Put everything back where it was, close the box, and plug in the power cord.

Do laptops need to be dusted

Most laptops use fans for air cooling, just like desktop computers. There may be a lot fewer fans and they won't be as big, but dust can also be sucked in, though dust tends to have more difficulty getting into a laptop than it is in a computer case.

But that's not to say it's impossible, and if you feel like your laptop is getting unusually hot, or you can hear the fan struggling, then it might be time to grab your little screwdriver.

Why do computers attract dust

It's long been thought that computers produce dust, but that's not the case. In fact, computers attract and trap dust better than almost any other electronic device.

Nowadays, even basic computer cases have two or three intake fans, and some can even have six or more. Most fans are designed to draw air into the system, but dust floating in the air can also be sucked into the computer. While your computer also has one or two exhaust fans, at least some dust will settle and stay inside the case.

The dust problem is further exacerbated by the fact that the components inside the computer generate a slight positive charge when used, which not only attracts dust but also keeps it inside and is not easily expelled by the exhaust fan.

Does dust affect PC performance

Too much dust that accumulates inside your computer can affect performance and even cause component failure. Computer components have an operating temperature range. If dust prevents cooling air from entering the chassis, or a thick layer of dust insulates components, too much heat can cause them to shut down. This can lead to random crashes or even complete component failure.

In the worst-case scenario, dust can even cause a fire, endangering the lives of you and your computer. Dust can accumulate on motherboard components that are designed to absorb heat from elsewhere, causing more heat and increasing the likelihood of fire. It's unlikely, but it's happened and continues to happen occasionally.

Keeping your computer dust-free isn't just about making sure the inside looks beautiful through the plexiglass side windows. Failing to keep your PC dust-free can shorten its lifespan by years and cost you unnecessary money.

How to reduce dust inside your computer

There is no better option than to keep your computer dust-free other than regular cleaning. But there are a few things you can do to reduce the amount of dust your computer inhales into your room.

Keep the room clean

This may sound obvious, but it's worth mentioning anyway. The cleaner the room where the computer is located, the cleaner the inside of the computer. Vacuum carpets regularly, especially around the area where your computer is located, and pay attention to where dust gathers.

Lift the chassis off the ground

Lifting even a few inches off the floor of your computer case can help reduce the amount of dust you inhale. More of the dust rolled up by passers-by will fall on the floor than directly to the intake fan. You can buy a computer stand online at a relatively cheap price.

Add a dust filter to the fan

If you don't already have a dust filter for the air intake fan in your computer case, buy some suitable fans or replace them with some fans with filters. Just keep in mind that if you want your fan to stay efficient, you need to remove dust from the filter regularly.

Improves airflow

Taking steps to improve airflow inside your computer case isn't so much about preventing dust from getting in as it is about helping dust get out again. Operations such as wiring behind the motherboard mounting plate allow for a smoother flow of air and reduce the amount of dust on the surface.

Keep your computer dust-free

Taking a few minutes to dust your computer every few months is one of the easiest ways to ensure that your computer is long and productive. Not only does it help prevent internal damage or random crashes, but it even helps to get a few more frames per second in your favorite games.