Cleaning and Maintaining Business Computers: What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Do
Computers need regular care, both physically and digitally, for long-term health.
Computers and some cleaning tools side-by-side
In the hustle of daily work, it’s easy to overlook computer maintenance. That is, until issues like slowdowns, crashes, or hardware failure start costing time and money.
For this reason, it’s worth keeping your computers in good shape to save yourself the hassle of costly disruptions. Fortunately, carrying out maintenance for your laptops and desktop computers doesn’t have to be complicated.
Let us guide you on some helpful maintenance and care tips for your laptops and PCs.
Physical hardware maintenance
A computer is only as good as its hardware, so keep your devices clean to prevent dust and grime from accumulating in the system, which can cause issues.
Do:
- Clean external surfaces regularly. Wipe keyboards, mice, and screens with microfiber cloths. Use compressed air to remove debris between keys.
- Dust internal components. Every few months, clean vents and fans with compressed air to prevent overheating.
- Inspect power cables and adapters for wear. Frayed or damaged cables can cause power surges or short circuits. Replace them at the first sign of damage.
- Organise cables and workspace. Prevent tripping hazards and damage by keeping cables tidy.
- Keep devices in a cool, dry environment. Excess humidity or heat can damage components.
Tip: Take care to minimise electrostatic discharge when handling your devices, especially when opening computer cases or touching internal components.
Don’t:
- Ignore rising heat or noise. It could indicate overheating from dust buildup or component failure.
- Use harsh cleaners or wet cloths. These might damage screens or seep into internal parts.
- Block ventilation holes. Always leave space for proper airflow.
- Eat or drink near devices. Accidental spills can cause permanent damage.
Digital & software maintenance
Besides physical upkeep, digital maintenance is also important to ensure your computers run smoothly. These care tips below can help boost your laptop or PC’s performance:
Do:
- Update your operating system and software. Security patches and system updates improve performance and protection.
- Run antivirus and malware scans. Schedule scans weekly to catch threats early.
- Uninstall unused programs. Free up memory and disk space by removing bloatware.
- Clean up disk space. Use built-in cleanup tools to delete temporary files and optimise storage. Keep at least 10% of drive space free to avoid slowdowns.
- Back up important files. Use cloud or external backups regularly to protect your data.
Don’t:
- Ignore update prompts. Delayed updates may expose you to security risks.
- Overload your startup programs. Too many apps launching on boot can slow down performance.
- Use pirated or outdated software. These can pose potential security risks as well.
- Click suspicious links or download files from unknown sources.
Additional PC care & maintenance tips
General handling best practices
Handling your devices properly will add a lot to their lifespan in the long run. Some PC care tips to keep in mind are:
- Shut down your computers properly instead of forcing a power-off.
- Avoid leaving laptops constantly plugged in. Keep the charge between 20% and 80%, and use the original charger.
- Allow cooling time after heavy use, as trapping heat can harm internal parts.
- Use surge protection to prevent voltage spikes from damaging internal components.
- Assign dedicated users when possible, as shared devices tend to wear out faster.
System performance optimisation
There are also some simple practices to help your PCs stay fast and responsive:
- Use Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) to monitor high-resource applications.
- Disable unnecessary startup programs to reduce boot time.
- Regularly update your device drivers to ensure compatibility and smooth performance.
- Restart your computer weekly to clear temporary memory buildup.
- Manage disk space using tools like Storage Sense or Disk Cleanup to remove junk files.
Note: If your device shows signs of overheating, frequent crashes, or slowdowns that basic fixes can’t resolve, it’s worth consulting a professional.
How often should you perform computer maintenance?
If your business is growing and needs scalable device support, consider rental options with servicing included. That way, you’re not on your own.
Keep your business running smoothly with proper computer maintenance
Just like taking care of our belongings, a well-maintained computer is a more reliable and longer-lasting one. No matter if you’re renting computers or buying a brand-new one, proper upkeep helps your devices perform their best in the long run.
If you’re looking for a practical, low-hassle way to equip your office, it’s worth exploring PC rental options, such as with us here at Smart Rental! We provide ready-to-use remanufactured computers and new units with ongoing PC support included, ideal for businesses that don’t have the time or resources to manage maintenance on their own.
Explore our full selection today and keep your team powered by computers that stay reliable for years to come.
FAQs
1. Does cleaning a PC improve performance?
Yes, especially when it involves clearing out dust from fans and vents or removing digital clutter. Physical cleaning helps prevent overheating and system throttling, while digital cleaning—like removing bloatware, running updates, and freeing up storage—helps the system run more smoothly and respond faster.
2. What are the 3 types of computer maintenance?
The three main types are preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance. Preventive involves regular upkeep like cleaning and updates to avoid issues. Corrective is about fixing problems after they occur, such as repairing hardware. Predictive uses monitoring tools to anticipate and prevent failures before they happen.
3. How do I know if my laptop needs cleaning?
There are a few clear signs that your laptop might need cleaning. Physically, you might notice dust build-up around vents or that your keyboard feels grimy. Internally, the fan may become loud, the device may overheat easily, or performance might slow down during basic tasks.
Regular cleaning helps prevent these issues and prolongs your laptop’s lifespan.