When it comes to maintaining our computers, we tend to spend lots of time and money on keeping the hard drive clean. That means anti-virus programs, deleting unused programs, clearing cache, and much more.

While all of that is fine and dandy, have you ever considered the external threats to your computer? No we aren’t talking about people who might drop or steal it. We’re talking about your computer’s most secret, sneaky enemy—dust.

The problems dust causes for your computer

We know what you’re thinking. “Dust? Pfft! What’s the big deal?” Well not so fast. Hear us out. Dust can literally wreak havoc on your computer. It cuts down on the overall performance.

In particular, your central processing unit may be affected. How? Well for one thing, dust can clog up your vents. If this happens, your computer won’t be able to keep itself cool. Which will eventually lead to overheating. And an overheating computer equals a failing computer.
Not to mention if your keyboard or mouse get stopped up with dust, they will stop functioning properly. As a result, you end up having to replace parts and eventually your entire computer. And who really wants to do that?

Killing off the dust enemy

The fact is, these problems with dust can easily be prevented. All it takes is a little external maintenance. Keep in mind it’s important to clean your computer carefully. It’s actually possible to damage your computer through static electricity if you use improper cleaning techniques.
The best solution? Good old fashioned canned air. Just fit the straw in place, aim, and blow the dust away. However, as you clean away the dust, be careful where you blow it. The object here is to remove the dust particles, not blow them deeper into your computer. Also take care not to turn the can upside down when in use.
You won’t find a simpler method of cleaning. And at only a few bucks for a can, you can easily buy a few and have them on standby, ensuring that you’re prepared for each and every cleaning time.

How often should you rid your computer of dust?

Dust builds up faster than you might think. If you don’t believe us, just take a closer look at the tables and shelves around your home. With that in mind, how often should you use compressed air to clean your computer? Every day? Every week?

Let’s not get overzealous here. 

While there is no set limit for computer cleaning, as in all things in life, moderation is the key. You don’t want to go overboard and blow air into your computer fan every day because you might damage it. Your best bet is to clean your computer every couple of months. That’ll allow enough time for dust to build up but not get out of control.

Do you clean your computer? If not, when are you going to start?

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