Top Tips for PC Hygiene

PCs, like furniture, collect dust and grime--but unlike a chair or desk, your computer can malfunction if not cleaned periodically. Here's how.

When it comes to housework, a little effort goes a long way. Sure, making your bed each morning can be a questionable use of time and energy, but cleaning your refrigerator or doing your laundry has tangible benefits: You might prevent food poisoning or avoid getting thrown out of a crowded elevator.

The same goes for your PC. Keep it clean and you'll avoid all kinds of potential problems; let it wallow in dust and grime, and it can overheat, corrode, and even die.

The Tools You Need

As any good PC tech will tell you, always have the right tool for the job. And having the right tools for cleaning your PC is just as important as having the right gadgets to fix it.

You can find a fancy cleaning product for almost every part of your computer, but all you really need are a few essentials: a can of compressed air for dislodging dust from nooks and crannies, a pack of lint-free antistatic wipes and swabs--and a bottle of pure isopropyl alcohol, if you're really serious about cleaning. (You can also use 90 percent or even 70 percent alcohol without any trouble; these are cheaper.)

Get the alcohol from a drugstore; buy the rest at your local computer store for less than $11 each. Or if you want to purchase online, check out Belkin Components or Kensington for their cleaning supplies. If this seems like a lot to buy, you can always use paper towels and a clean cotton cloth, slightly dampened when necessary.

If you're in the habit of eating potato chips over your keyboard, you should consider buying a small computer vacuum--well worth the expense. For example, the MiniVak from Belkin is $12. You could also use a regular canister vacuum cleaner--just make sure you have the attachments handy.

For working inside your PC, you'll need a small slot screwdriver and a Phillips screwdriver for opening the case or removing expansion cards. If you're going to touch any circuitry, like the motherboard or expansion cards, be safe and buy a grounding strap for your wrist (usually $7 and up).