Air compressors blow dust from the most remote corners when cleaning your PC. However, if you blow too hard into the computer, you endanger your hardware. With these tips, the PC will be clean and stay intact.
When the computer runs hot, it is usually because its fans and cooling fins are clogged with dust. Depending on the household, this can be the case eight to twelve months after commissioning – even faster for pet owners. PC fans almost magically attract the hair of your best friends.
The only thing that helps here is to clean the PC thoroughly, preferably with compressed air. You don’t want to reach for a vacuum cleaner: its attachments are usually too big to get into the small corners of a desktop computer, and because of its suction power it is only too happy to inhale small parts such as soldered capacitors. Total loss is imminent.
It is better to blow dust out of the computer and vacuum it up afterwards if necessary. This is made possible by handy air compressors or compressed air bottles. However, caution is advised with large air compressors: If they are set too high, you can destroy the hardware because the pressure blows off the capacitors.
PC reinigen mit Air Kompressor
If you want to be on the safe side, you can use an air compressor that was specially developed for computers. A formidable device is the IT Dusters CompuCleaner Xpert. Its attachments and brush heads set it significantly apart from the competition. They are designed to get into the remotest corners of the computer and also to rid peripherals like keyboards of dust. Two power levels decide how hard the computer cleaner blows. The only downside: the device is wired.
The Reesibi rotary electric dust blower is a little smaller and handier. The manufacturer relies on a battery that you charge using the supplied mini USB cable. In addition to the normal head, the dust blower comes with a brush head. Nice: Both variants are movable so that you can get into the corners better when cleaning.
If you don’t just want to clean your PC, purchasing a small compressor can also make sense. Incidentally, you can also easily inflate bicycle tires or air mattresses with it. However, comfort functions such as different brush heads are missing.
Alternatively, use compressed air sprays. Compared to compressors, however, the “air” is quite expensive, which is why the investment in an air compressor pays off after a few cleanings.
Another tool in the overview
Without the right tools, no job is really enjoyable – but with the right equipment, even cleaning a dirty computer is satisfying. An air compressor alone is rarely enough to thoroughly clean the computer. An overview:
An anti-static tape is not absolutely necessary. You can also discharge yourself on grounded objects. However, with the bracelet you are a little less stressed and carefree on the road.
Electronics and water never mix well when the components are still connected to the power supply. But even if all parts are discharged, it is advisable to use rubbing alcohol rather than water. It evaporates faster and poses less risk of an accident.
Kitchen paper should not be used for cleaning. With this, you run the risk of the paper towels catching on small corners and edges, leaving behind residue that is difficult to remove. Sturdy microfiber cloths are better. However, you should not use them too harshly either.
With an unused toothbrush, remove the very coarse dirt at the beginning. And that’s not all: if it’s made of plastic, the toothbrush is great for holding remote fans. You should always do this with non-conductive objects.
After the PC has been cleaned with compressed air, there is usually still a thin layer of dust on individual components. You can get rid of them with a brush. But make sure that the brush is made of real hair. Synthetic hair can build up static electricity and damage hardware.
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How to proceed with cleaning
Depending on how dirty the hardware is, it can make sense to do the cleaning in front of the door, because otherwise you will spread tons of dust in your apartment. There should be a power outlet for the air compressor and a workbench in front of the door or in the garage. Stone floors cause nasty scratches on the case.
Before you start, you should hold down the computer’s power button for about ten seconds again so that residual power disappears from the components. After that, the switch of the power pack can still be set to “Off”. Before the actual work begins, you too must discharge yourself, either by wearing an anti-static wrist strap or by touching a grounded object such as a heater.
The actual procedure is simple: first remove all components of the housing, i.e. both side doors and, if necessary, the front door and any dust filters. It’s a good idea to have several small bowls ready for the screws so they don’t get lost. Clean all components that do not have electronics separately.
If you have time, you may use a damp cloth on non-electronic equipment such as side doors. Alternatively, you can use rubbing alcohol, which evaporates more quickly. It is best to first blow out the fine grids of the dust filters with compressed air and then clean them with a small damp brush. Before you screw the parts back to the PC, they must of course be dry.
Cleaning the inside is a bit trickier if you don’t want to disassemble the various components. First, any dirt that you can remove by hand, you should also remove by hand. If that is too unappetizing for you, you can also use an unused and dry toothbrush. If you work with compressed air right away, you run the risk of blowing large chunks of dust into corners where you don’t want dust.
Once the worst has been eliminated, the compressed air is used. There is one basic rule you should definitely follow: The PC fans must be held firmly before you remove the dust with the air. With the exception of the power supply fan, you can use your fingers for this. Under no circumstances should you touch anything with your fingers in the power pack. Here the residual voltage can give you life-threatening electric shocks.
And some case fans are in such an unfavorable position that they cannot reach them with their fingers. This is where you should use a long, non-conductive object to hold the fan blade in place. The initially summoned toothbrush is excellent for this.
Logical: Always blow out of the case if possible. Otherwise, you’ll just spread the dirt around and it won’t take long for the fans to re-attract and clog it up. Caution is also required with the cooling fins of the CPU and graphics card. If possible, be careful not to blow dust into the fine openings. After blowing it off, a thin layer usually remains on the SSD storage
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