Not many people bother to maintain their computers free of dust nor do they consider the importance of keeping a clean computer. The main factor in a clean computer is the benefit it provides. Computers have many little areas where dust can easily accumulate. Leaving the dust intact, can be a hazard to your computer. With the accumulated dust, the air flow is greatly reduced which will eventually lead to excessive heat. This heat has the potential to damage your computer's hardware. Taking a simple 15 minute task, such a cleaning/dusting, and putting it into practice can prolong the life of your computer by reducing the chances of hardware failure.
It all begins with a screwdriver and a can of compressed air. Most computers have two screws in the rear and once these are removed you can easily remove the side panel of your computer. Before you start blowing the dust away, you should take your computer outdoors as you wouldn’t want this dust everywhere else. Once you are outdoors or somewhere you don’t mind having dust everywhere. Use the can of compressed air to blow away dust from all of the components and all cracks / crevices. Be sure to hold the can as close to vertical as possible to prevent unnecessary liquid spray. Once your computer is free of dust, you can replace the side panel and proceed to wipe away any dust on the outside of the computer, especially around any openings or vents. It is also a good practice to keep your other peripherals clean such as your monitor, keyboard, mouse, and any other devices.
Depending on several factors, such as if your computer is placed on the floor, or if you eat, drink, or smoke around it, will determine how often you should clean your computer. Nonetheless, you should at least do this once or twice a year. So remember to dust your computer as this can ultimately save you time and money by preventing you from having to replace a piece of hardware or your whole computer which may have been prevented by a 15 minute task.
