Keeping your gaming PC and peripherals clean is key to having the best gaming experience. Here are our top tips for staying on top of the dust and debris, as well as some tricks to help your system keep its cool.
Why is it Important to Keep my Setup Clean?
Cleaning takes up valuable time you could be spending gaming. We understandably all roll our eyes at having to do it sometimes. However, if you allow dust and dirt to build up in and around your precious gaming PC, it will create issues in the long term for you. Aside from debris potentially damaging components, the dust-build up can lead to overheating which means you won’t get the best performance out of your system.
If you need less excuses, and more reasons to give your set up that much-needed deep clean and refresh, take a look at our in-depth spring cleaning hub.
Regularly Clean Filters
Our first tip is to clean the air filters on your system’s case. Not only that but make sure it’s a habit of yours. Doing it every three months should be sufficient, but keep an eye on how quickly yours accumulates filth and adjust your frequency accordingly. You might find yourself needing to scrub them more often if your home has ambient pet fluff to contend with.
As far as how to clean them goes, you can either blast them using a can of compressed air which is great if you want a speedy cleaning solution. Alternatively, if you have the time for a deeper clean, give your filters a rinse and leave them to dry before returning them to your system.
Use an Air Duster on Your Gaming Setup
We’re not here to judge you or ask questions like “why is there half a Cheeto lodged behind your Ctrl key?” We’re about solutions. Debris in your keys can damage the connections in the long run and makes them less responsive.
A can of compressed air can help dislodge the dirt, but it’s far from the best solution. An air duster is ideal, as it will remove the debris completely from your gaming keyboard. It’s also useful to have for cleaning up around your desktop and inside your computer. There are also cleaning kits available if you have a mechanical keyboard you want to take extra special care of.
Is your keyboard looking past its best? Check out our top tips for cleaning your keyboard and get it squeaky clean!
Wipe Down Your Monitor
From odd smudges you need to pick to stray sneezes hitting the screen, your display can take on a lot of abuse. Making sure you wipe it down is of paramount importance so make sure you’re doing it right. That means more than just antibacterial wipes.
You’ll want a proper screen cleaning solution, usually something alcohol-free, to spray on your monitor. For wiping it down, use a microfibre cloth. This is better than a wipe, can be washed for reuse, and even works on other things. Use it to wipe down your gaming PC and peripherals, desk, or even gaming consoles.
Cable Management
No, stuffing all your cables down the back of your desk where they will go unseen does not count as cable management. Tying all the wires you have hanging around together will stop them from getting tangled when you need to swap things around, helps discourage dust, and can even add to your aesthetic if you use coloured or RGB cable sleeves for the job. Standard cable sleeves are available as well, or you could just use some cable ties if you want to keep things straightforward.
Keep Space for Airflow
This next tip isn’t so much for keeping your gaming setup clean but for helping it all to stay cool. We’ve covered optimising the airflow in your case elsewhere, but have you put your computer somewhere that’s going to help with this? You have to make sure there’s room for the hot air to be properly expelled around your system so it doesn’t just get drawn in again. Make sure it sits somewhere on your desk that facilitates this. It could be worth investing in a new desk that lets you keep your gaming PC in a more effective spot.
Station Your Setup in the Right Place
Lastly, have you selected a good space for your gaming setup? While not everyone has spare rooms to pick where their desk is going to go, you should try and pick as sensible a home as you can. Avoid rooms that attract a lot of dust or have good airflow and don’t put it anywhere that works as a suntrap or naturally gathers heat. This won’t eliminate issues but will help make maintenance more manageable.
Cleanliness is Next to Gaming Godliness
Need a new loadout of cleaning gear to become a maintenance master. We’ve got you covered. Here at Overclockers UK, we don’t just stock all the hardware an enthusiast could ever need. We also carry the supplies to keep it and your gaming setup looking clean and tidy, too!
IT Dusters CompuCleaner Original II – Electric Air Duster
- Handheld air duster perfect for cleaning out your keyboard, case, and the rest of your gaming setup.
- 3 different nozzle attachments to help get those hard-to-reach places.
- Mains powered for a consistent, powerful, and reliable airflow.
- Comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
iFixIt Screen Cleaning Spray
- Mild cleaning spray perfect for use on screens.
- Discreet 250ml bottle easy to store away and use.
- After application on monitors and other surfaces will leave them free from streaks and dirt.
- Use with a microfibre cloth for best results.
LTC Pro Cable Tube – White
- Perfect cable management solution for your gaming setup.
- Easy to cut to individual length material without causing the fabric to fray.
- Self-closing cover makes it easy for quick bundling and hiding away of cables.
- Sleek white aesthetic turns your untidy cables into a stylish part of your setup.
TLDR; 5 Easy Steps to Clean Your PC Set Up
How Do You Keep Your Set-Up Clean?
We’re always on the lookout for new cleaning hacks – share yours in the comments below!
- 6 min read
Jacob Smith
Author
Jacob is a passionate gamer, plus a noted Pokemon and LEGO nutjob, who emerges only when doing the words here at Overclockers UK. Since starting at the tail end of 2021, Jacob has gone on to write dozens of blogs on everything from the latest games to whimsical Dickens-inspired poetry. Outside of creating content and being the one person in the office daring to champion Nintendo, he is often found fawning over his Pokemon card collection and his trio of lovely doggos.
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