I always use the new year as a reminder to do a thorough cleaning of my PC.  This "cleaning" refers to both the physical box and the operating system as well.  Keeping a PC clean can increase the lifespan of your box and also help with problems such as overheating.

I'd like to share a few tips on what I do in my PC cleaning routine.

Clean the fans

The fans in my computer get very dirty and very clogged with dust, hair, and who knows what else.  Make note that before you open your computer case that you should power down the computer, and unplug the power cable.  Also make sure you are properly grounded before touching the components inside the case. 

If you have foam filters on the fans, then clean them with a mild solution of dish soap and water.  I also use a can of compressed air to blow the dust out of the fans from the inside of the case, then finish up with vacuuming the fan guards from the back of the case.

Do not get tempted to clean the inside of your PC with a vacuum either.  It can build up static electricity which is not good for your expensive components inside the case.  If there is significant dust buildup inside the case, then gently use the compressed air can to "blow" the dust out.

Inspect the cables

Over the years people have asked me to fix various problems with their computers.  One of the most common complaints was a device such as a DVD burner or hard disk not working.  In most cases, for whatever reason, the cables were simply loose.  While you have your case open, it's wise to inspect the cables to make sure they are secure. 

Scrub the Keyboard

I can't tell you how many times I have dropped or spilled something on or near my keyboard.  Take your keyboard, turn it over, and gently shake to remove excess crumbs and other dirt into a trash can.  Then hold the keyboard vertically and give it a blast with the compressed air to get rid of anything that wanted to "hang" on during the shaking process.

Something I also do on a weekly, if not daily basis is to wipe the keyboard down with anti-bacterial wipes such as the ones from Clorox.  While you're at it, give your mouse a good wipe down also.

Next, the Monitor

Let me first say if you have an LCD monitor, never spray or wipe it with any kind of glass cleaner or ammonia-based product.  Each manufacturer might have their own recommendations on cleaning an LCD monitor, so check the user guide before cleaning.

Some people just recommend using a lint-free cloth and a little bit of water to clean their LCD screens, but that has never gotten good results with me.  I found a variety of solutions for cleaning LCD's, but I'm going to recommend what I do.  I use iKlear and a microfiber cloth to polish my screens, and they turn out like brand new every time.  Most other cleaning solutions I have used left terrible streaks and makes the screen look even worse than before.

So take the time to research the best method for you, and whatever you choose be very careful when cleaning any computer monitor as they are easily damaged.

If you are not comfortable working on the inside of your PC, but it needs cleaning, then take it to your local computer shop or to someone with experience in this cleaning.  This is intended for people who have experience and are comfortable with opening their PC case and doing minor maintenance.

In the next article I will outline the steps I take to perform "maintenance" on the operating system.