How to Clean Your Laptop Safely (Without Damaging It) – NW London Guide

A clean laptop runs cooler, faster, and lasts longer — yet most laptops in NW London homes arrive at FirstAidPC packed with dust, blocked vents, and overheating components.

If your laptop feels hot, sounds loud, or slows down after 10–20 minutes of use, it may need a proper clean.Here’s how to safely clean your laptop at home — and when to hand it to a professional.

1. Clean the Exterior (Safe for Everyone)

What you need:

• Microfibre cloth

• Small brush (soft bristles)

• 70–90% isopropyl alcohol (optional)

How to clean:

1. Turn off your laptop and unplug it.

2. Wipe the top cover, keyboard, and screen with a dry cloth.

3. Use a soft brush to remove dust from around the keyboard and vents.

4. If needed, lightly dampen the cloth with alcohol to remove grime.

Never use water directly on the laptop.

2. Clean the Vents (Very Important)

Blocked vents cause overheating, sudden shutdowns, and slow performance.

DIY method:

• Use a soft brush to clear dust around the vents.

• Use a low-powered can of compressed air carefully from a distance.

Don’t use high-pressure air — it can force dust deeper inside.

3. Internal Cleaning (Only if You’re Comfortable Opening Your Laptop)

If you are confident with screws:

1. Remove the bottom cover.

2. Blow air gently across the fan, not directly into it.

3. Remove dust with a soft brush.

4. Clean the fan blades.

5. Reapply thermal paste (advanced users only).

4. When to Let a Professional Handle It

You should visit FirstAidPC if:

• Your laptop overheats quickly

• You hear loud fan noise

• The laptop slows down after a few minutes

• The laptop shuts off randomly

• You're not comfortable opening the device

We offer:

✔ Deep internal dust cleaning✔ Fan repair/replacement✔ Thermal paste service✔ Same-day overheating fixes

Available across Hampstead, Camden, Highgate, Finchley, NW3, NW11, NW6, N6.