Hey everyone! My PC's been collecting dust for years (probably since I got it back in 2020), and now it's really affecting my gameplay with constant blue screens. I plan to get an electronic air duster soon, but I want to try cleaning it tonight. Is it safe to use a toothbrush on my CPU heatsink and fans, or could that cause damage? Also, what's the best way to clean the dust off the cords inside the case? Any tips would be appreciated!
5 Answers
Using a toothbrush is fine for fans, but if you can get some isopropyl alcohol, that's a cleaner way to deal with hard-to-reach areas. For the wires, a damp cloth works well. Just remember not to soak anything!
Haha, I meant slightly damp! I won’t risk it!
I've cleaned my PC with a toothbrush before and it worked okay, but I prefer using a microfiber cloth or a can of compressed air. For cables, a dryer sheet is awesome because it helps with static and picks up dust, just be wary of the oils it might leave behind. Plug your PC off while you clean to avoid any mishaps!
Just avoid getting any oils on sensitive areas—it can make it sticky!
Great tip! I’ll definitely use a dryer sheet for cords.
Using a toothbrush is generally fine, but just be careful with the bristles since they can be a bit rough! It’s actually better to use a soft makeup brush or a small artist brush for delicate areas. And if you're working with fans, make sure you hold them in place to prevent them from spinning too fast—they can get damaged if they spin out of control while you’re cleaning. Overall, go easy and you should be good!
Good point! I have an old makeup brush, I might try that.
Yeah, a soft brush definitely helps reach those tight spots without causing any scratches.
If you're blue screening, it may not just be dust causing the problem. You might want to check the thermal paste too—it can dry out and cause overheating! Cleaning the dust is important, but make sure you're using proper thermal paste if it needs replacing.
I just did a paste replacement, but maybe I need to check it again after cleaning.
Definitely keep an eye on those temps after you clean!
You can wash your heatsinks with warm water and soap, as long as you dry them completely afterwards. Be cautious when cleaning with compressed air though, always hold the fans to prevent them from spinning too fast—too much speed can damage them!
Interesting! Never thought about washing heatsinks.
Just make sure to properly dry them—no wet components!
Water? I thought electronics and water don’t mix.