Cleaning your PC motherboard is more than just cleaning the dust on it.
You can hand it over to a professional, and pay at least 50 bucks for cleaning it for you. Or you can do it yourself with some accessories, cleaning kits, and cleaning solutions.
If your mobo isn’t cleaned for years, and a thick layer of dust has covered some parts of it, don’t worry. This guide on how to clean motherboard along with some safety tips for regular matainance as well should help.
How to clean a Motherboard in 7 ways Through 7 Materials
Before you start cleaning the mobo, make sure to gather all the items required beforehand. Otherwise, the cleaning process may go wrong easily. Thus, the list of things you will need are –
- Compressed air
- Isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol
- Cotton swab
- Thinner
- Hand vacuum
- Contact cleaner
- Soft-tipped brush
Cleaning Process
When you have got all items, it’s time to move on to the cleaning. You are advised to follow all the steps properly. Otherwise, your motherboard may be damaged. You can opt for any of the below methods depending on the condition of the motherboard.
1. Compressed Air
The easiest way to clean your motherboard would be using compressed air. You can find compressed air cans in general stores. As it uses compressed air without heating, this is also one of the safest options.
Now, after disassembling the motherboard, use the compressed air in narrow places to blow all the dirt out. Be sure not to use it close to the motherboard. Keep a minimum distance while cleaning it. For sticky places, first, rub it off with a brush, and again use the can to clean it.
2. Rubbing Alcohol
Using alcohol may be the best way to clean your motherboard thoroughly. But, before using any kind of liquid on your motherboard, talk with the brand manufacturer, as there is a chance of voiding the warranty.
The preferred way of using rubbing alcohol is pairing it with cotton swabs. The cotton swabs absorb alcohol, and you can use them to clean the motherboard thoroughly. As using isopropyl alcohol removes most of the germs from your PC components, it is highly recommended.
3. Thinner
You can use thinner solvents in the same way as using alcohol. Thinner solvent is mainly used as a replacement for rubbing alcohol. But still, it has its own advantages.
First, clean and wipe the dust from the motherboard. Then, use thinner solvent to remove stubborn stains. You can also saturate your motherboard by soaking it in the solvent. But if you soak it, be sure to clean and dry it before reinstalling the motherboard again.
4. Hand Vacuum
As for hand blower or vacuum, these are advised to use only as an alternative if there is no compressed air available. There is a chance of damaging the motherboard when using a vacuum. Also, you are highly requested not to use house vacuum cleaners as they have high suction force.
If you are to use a hand vacuum, maintain a safe distance. Keeping it too close might cause alterations in your motherboard. Thus, you should avoid a vacuum cleaner unless this is the only option available.
5. Commercial Cleaning Solution
Another thing on the list specially made for cleaning computer parts are commercial cleaners. There are products specifically used for cleaning computers. So, you should first inquire about which commercial contact cleaner to buy.
Using commercial cleaners to clean motherboards is useful in many cases. You just need to spray the solution on the dirty spots on your motherboard, and wipe it off with a dry cloth or towel. By repeating this step on dirty spots, your motherboard will be clean in no time.
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6. Soaking in Alcohol
This method should only be used if your motherboard is extremely dirty. 99 percent isopropyl alcohol is highly recommended for this process.
First, fill a large tub or container with a sufficient amount of alcohol. Then, slowly put the motherboard in the alcohol and lift it back up. After that, gently wipe off all the visible stains and dip them in again. Finally, pull up the board from the solution and properly clean all the liquid off it.
After it has been soaked, you should at least let your motherboard dry for 1 day. But I would prefer drying it for more than 24 hours to let all liquids dry off completely.
7. Petrol or Water
You may use petrol or water only for light cleaning, and if there is no rubbing alcohol available. These are simply cheaper alternatives to alcohol or thinner.
Use small brushes or cotton swabs to absorb the liquid. Thoroughly wipe off the motherboard using it.
Precautions There are safety matters you need to keep in mind before you clean your motherboard. The tips provided below will help you prevent damage to your motherboard.
- The first and foremost thing would be to turn off any kind of power before moving into cleaning. Otherwise, you will get an electric shock, or the motherboard will be damaged for good.
- The motherboard should be disassembled by experts if you can’t do it yourself. If you are inexperienced, the chances are that you might damage small circuits and cause more damage than resolving them.
- If the motherboard still has a warranty, you should contact the manufacturers before applying any type of liquid to it. The warranty may void unless they are notified earlier.
Conclusion
So, that was all from our side on how to clean motherboard in more effective ways. You will need to do it periodically, once in a month or two, to keep the PC system in a good shape. Otherwise, hundreds of dollars can go vein without even showing any sign.
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