We asked our frugal readers how they clean window and oscillating fans so they do not need to be replaced as often. You could try laying the fan outside on the ground and putting a dinner plate over the motor area. It’s also possible to clean the fan using the same tool. So, you have to either replace it with a new one or clean it off to use over again. It should clean off the loose dust.Evelyn, For cleaning fans, my husband takes them out to the garage and blows them off with the air compressor. Dust goes off easily with soft brushes (try makeup brushes). But compressed air is fine, just do in the opposite direction of ⦠If you let the dust accumulate to the point where the dirt sort of solidifies on the fan, there will be definite limits to what the leaf blower can accomplish. Compressed gas is one of the best places to start when learning how to clean your laptop. Get a can of compressed air, and open the back panel so you wonât be just blowing the dust deeper into the machine. Use a degreaser (ammonia water is good here) and apply to a rag, wringing it out until it’s nearly dry in order to avoid getting moisture into the works. Sure, I paid about $52 for it up-front, but I’ve saved a lot. Keep the can 1â3 in (2.5â7.6 cm) away from the laptop. Itâs a small investment that will make your job easier each time you clean your PC. If not, then find a long, thin handled paintbrush (like a crafts brush) and try that. I usually use a thin knife or screwdriver tip and pry it apart. Manual Dust Blower. The trick is to be careful. The best material to use when cleaning the laptop screen is a microfiber cloth. It will only push the stuff in deeper. Then you can blow from the exhaust vent in toward the fan. Moisten a microfiber cloth with a mixture of 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water. It took forever, but I got it pretty clean that way. Usually, cleaning the fan and heat sink inside your laptop is a lot easier than you might think. And then you'll be able to clean it properly. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Put the casing back on. Maybe you don’t need to buy a new fan. Thanks! So, take a soft fiber cloth and rub the surface of the fan. 5 Steps to Clean Your Laptop Keyboard. How about you? It blows air blast after you squished the silicone container part. A hp dv1000. I have found both these methods very helpful.Sue. Good Luck Wipe the fan gently, cleaning the rag off regularly. It’s made cleaning kind of fun!Gayle. Do not attempt the motor. See if these cleaning tips can help you prolong the life of any fans you have in your home: Provided you use this method religiously at the end of every fan season and the beginning of the next, I’ve found that standing your fan up in your garage, carport, or driveway and using your leaf blower to blow the dust out of it works very well indeed. Step 3: Using compressed air, dust the internal components of your computer with short bursts of air. Of course, the air blast may not as strong as pressurized air can, but it’s good enough to ensure the PC’s heatsinks and fans have spacier room to distribute cool/hot air. Temps went down 10-15C and the fan was much quieter. Or borrow your sisterâs hairdryer. If it was manufactured, it comes apart one way or another. Blow air thru the air outlet from your CPU cooling fan, stick the plastic tube ⦠Obviously make sure it’s unplugged. Using a special ESP brush (size depends on each case), or a simple paint brush but ensuring correct ESP procedure clean surface and around/under gaps and components. note: Isopropyl alcohol is sold in most stores, usually in a 70% isopropyl alcohol / 30% water solution. Your email address will not be published. Also, if there are vents in the case, spray the air into those, as well. Mama J. Hi Gary,I have an oscillating fan that I want to use this summer, but it’s gotten really dusty. Personally, I like to tape a cotton ball saturated with a bit of scent on the fan screen facing out. But, make sure you did not press the blades too hard so it won’t be deformed or broken. The air from a hairdryer is usually hotter and can melt several plastic components if exposed for a long period of time. Those who are mechanically inclined may be useful here. I didn’t submerge them, but sprayed soapy water on the dirty blades and the grills and reached in with a long-handled brush to scrub. Place the tower on top of an anti-static mat that has been laid on top of a table. Please note that not all vacuum cleaners have this feature. But, this air needs to be special, because it needs to be compressed in some way so that you can direct it to clean the vent. Then using the jet setting on your hose, blast it clean. Some people also suggest adding a little water to the brush or paper towel for removing dirt that very hard to clean. With a few dollars and a bit of bravery, you can âdustâ inside your laptop (without taking it apart, hopefully) even if you donât know anything about how computers work. I have a acer aspire 5741g laptop. I can’t unscrew them and get inside, and the casing is just absolutely filthy. Cleaning your laptop keyboard could be faster and simpler than you could imagine. 2 â The force exerted by the expelled air from even the smallest of compressors is often strong enough to damage fans and loosen or unplug cables, both of which are obviously quite bad. It can suck dust and dirt, while the other side can be used as a wind blower. I’m thinking you have box-type window fans or one of those round oscillating ones. I personally love a silicone blower since it can target a small area and can be used multiple times without electricity. Alright. This is as simple as how you could eat and dip your cheese-flavored fingers on your keyboard keys while cramming to finish your computer or laptop tasks.We should only follow the following steps in detail and your laptop will be as good as new again. If you’ve not saved the fan box (I rarely save boxes), cover the fan with a contractor’s plastic bag when you store it during the cold months. The price of this tool is about $4 to $7 depending on your location (check on Amazon). Even worse, you have to buy the item multiple times if you want to clean your PC from dirt and dust. For example, you could blow more toward your laptopâs vents so the dust would be blasted through the vents and out of the laptop. Spray well with GUNK® (found in auto section of WalMart}. Loud computer fans are overworked fans, which could impact the overall performance of your PC. Subscribe to The Dollar Stretcher, our free weekly newsletter aimed at helping you live better for less on the money you already have! If you do break it, a simple repair may be to use a twist tie or wire in a similar color and tie it together. Metal may be welded and indeed be impossible to open. Check on the device’s manual book to see what it is capable of. Prolong the life of your oscillating fan by cleaning it, without the hassle of taking it apart. An Air Compressor Cleans Fan. This will take away the dust and dirt from the central area of the fan. Little Luxuries: 130 Ways to Live Better...For Less. Am I a Good Candidate for Credit Counseling? SIN SHINE - Compressed Air 3.0- Multi-Use Electric Air Duster for Cleaning Dust, Hairs, Crumbs, Scraps for Laptop, Computer, Replaces Compressed Air Cans (AD01-Black) 4.7 out of 5 ⦠A loud computer fan is usually caused by dust and dirt, so get out the compressed air cans and give your PC or laptop a quick blast of clean air to clean them as part of your regular PC maintenance routine. | Phone: 1 (941) 761-7805. Common household materials, such as rags and paper towels, can cause damage to the screen. It gets 90% of the gunk off and then I can wipe them clean.Crystal, Related: DIY Ceiling Fan Cleaning and Maintenance. It gets 90% of the gunk off and then I can wipe them clean⦠Turn off the laptop, flip it ⦠This article may contain affiliate links. Shut down laptop. How to Clean Laptop Fan Without Compressed Air Method #1: Disassemble the Laptop. For only dust, a Swiffer should work okay.Lisa, © 1995-2021 The Dollar Stretcher, Inc. | All rights reserved except where specifically noted. I don’t think I can submerge them in water because they’re electrical appliances. Never remove the fan, because ⦠Do it each way a couple of times. Smart Ways to Save on Summer Cooling Bills, 5 Simple Budget Cuts That Can Save $200 a Month, How to Read Your Grocery Ad Like an Insider, 32 Ways to Save Money on Your Utility Bills, The Rule of 72 (or How to Easily Double Your Debt), 5 Simple Habits That Make a Financial Difference, Staying Motivated to Continue Digging Yourself Out of Debt, 9 Things You Need to Do Before You Retire, You Didn’t Save Enough for Retirement and You’re 55+, Could Debt Derail Your Retirement? The most efficient way to clean as much dust as possible from the outside is to act quickly when blowing the air in the exhaust. Make sure it’s dry. You may as well use it to clean the keyboard etc. Silicone blower (also known as hand blower) is probably one tool you need to have by your side and your computer. It works similarly like a compressed air canister, but cheaper and relies on the grip strength of your hand. Compressed air could potentially damage some of the small plastic parts on a laptop. It’s a good idea to oil the center of the motor (if it’s accessible) with a lightweight household oil, like you use for old sewing machines and door hinges. Does anyone have any ideas on cleaning all the dust and stuff from a fan? Subscribe to The Dollar Stretcher, our free weekly newsletter aimed at helping you live better for less on the money you already have! Be careful when blowing air at the fans in the laptop â if you make the fans spin too quickly, they could be damaged. To decrease the likelihood of overheating problems, make ⦠Clean fans with compressed air. Not only is this product great for removing the dust on your screen, but itâs also good for cleaning your keyboard as well. Luckily, there are a couple of much safer alternatives to using an air compressor for blowing dust out of your computer. Usually, the dust has accumulated over time, and due to moisture which can't be removed with compressed air. That’s some ways to clean your PC without a compressed air can. For cleaning fans, my husband takes them out to the garage and blows them off with the air compressor. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for their own situation. , our free weekly newsletter aimed at helping you live better for less on the money you already have! Try laying the fan flat on a sheet (blades pointing up or down) and pouring some clean, dry sand or salt through the grills so that it brushes off the fan blades and then spills through to the sheet. Just do not allow the hair dryer to touch any part of the notebook. To clean the case fans, you can use the compressed-air can and give 'em a good blasting, or you can use rubbing alcohol gently applied to a ⦠If you do make such a mistake, leave the fan in the sunlight for a day or two to let it dry out. You may also wear ⦠All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. Hairdryers work in the same way as a blower â it blows air. Keep the fins in place while using canned air or the vacuum/duster to prevent damage and make it easier to remove the dust. If you feel the wind blast is warmer than it was, you can stop the usage and wait until the electric motor inside it cooled down before continuing. Even then, though, it will accomplish something.Sharon. And get a copy of our ebook Little Luxuries: 130 Ways to Live Better...For Less for FREE! First of all, it cleans all those nasty, grimy places (like fans, screen windows, floor duct vents, around faucets in bathrooms, in the corners of bathroom floors, and even your gas grill) with hot steaming water. We do this each season.Stang, I have cleaned electric fans with soap and water. Instead, close the laptop and vacuum the air vents in the reverse order the air flows. If you have a compressor, take the fan outside and blow it out. What’s the best way to clean it? The cleaning is fairly easy. I tried to clean with cotton swabs and a toothbrush, and it got rid of some of it, but some of it just moved around and now it looks even worse. on laptops the fans are exhaust fans and i think you can just used compressed air that you can buy from walmart or office depot and turn the laptop on its side and hold the can upright and just blast it with air and then let it set a few mins to make sure ⦠The cloth should be moist, but not dripping wet. If you click on one of the affiliate links, The Dollar Stretcher could be compensated. Turns out, there are many methods you could use. Clean with electronic vacuum. Which method do you prefer to clean your PC? Clean with a damp cloth. A Checklist, When You're Really Late to the Retirement Planning Game. But, ⦠The fan will last longer.Shawna in Barberton, Ohio, Take the fans outside on a clear sunny day. Hold the fan in place with your finger, so that it does not rotate. Here are some approaches to clean a computer (and other electronic devices) with simple tools you probably already have or with a cheaper alternative. But, is there any alternative ways to clean PC without having to use a regular compressed air? A clean PC will offer relatively better stability, better performance, and better thermals while looking gorgeous! “The Dollar Stretcher, Inc.” does not assume responsibility for advice given. LynAnne, Related: Way Cool: The Frugal Homeowner’s Guide to Fans. You would point the end of the dryer at the fan intake grill and blow towards the fan. [1] X Research source Also keep the can angled right-side up while spraying. (Done it recently to a three year old Dell laptop. Gaming laptops are also usually easier to clean since they have removable back covers.) The pressure is enough to clean the dust on the surface of electronic components without having you touching it. The brush knocks it loose and the fan blows it away. Do not use fibrous materials, such as paper towels or toilet paper. All you need is a small screwdriver and a can of compressed air (or an air compressorâthough tread lightly with that, as noted below). According to HP, one of the keys to safely cleaning your laptop screen is choosing the right cloth or material. You may want to clean the other components while you have it open. The best bet, however, is to prevent the problem next year. This also happened on another laptop which is slightly older. Also clean the heatsink fins too. Hence, please only proceed with this option with caution. For cleaning your vent you need air. The Dollar Stretcher is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. I hate to spend money on new ones. Unplug the AC Adapter and remove the laptop Li-Ion battery. #1 Take out the heatsink and clean it with brush, #2 Silicone blower can be a cheap alternative, #3 You can use your vacuum cleaner as a blower, 5 Fixes Logitech Keyboard Can’t Press Multiple Keys at Once, How to Create Your Own Brush in Photoshop, 5 Tips to Cool Down Your Overheat Laptop Quickly, 5 Habits that Rapidly Damages Your Laptop, 3 Methods to See Recently Opened Files on Windows 10, How to Make USB Connection on Android Always “File Transfer”, How to View the Mobile Version of Website on Chrome PC, How to Create Border/Outline Around Image in Photoshop, How to Merge Two Chrome Windows with Multiple Tabs, How to Lock Mouse to One Monitor in Windows 10 PC. With the fans running, spray the air at the blades -- but from a few inches away. Blow at the fans from many different angles, using short blasts of air. Hairdryers work in the same way as a blower — it blows air. A manual dust blower is our favorite tool to use if you donât want to use compressed air. There are some vacuum cleaner products that have two abilities in one device. What’s That Little Switch On My Ceiling Fan? Then dry the components for about two or three hours to ensure there’s no water left on its surface. Heatsinks in your PC is the part that responsible the most regarding temperature problem. I don’t use dish detergent on the floors for the same reason. Let it soak a few minutes to loosen up the grime. I’d rather not have to take it apart.Chloe. These are special pads that are placed underneath the laptop to keep it from overheating. Never use compressed air on a laptop! Second, I no longer buy cleaning products because all I need is my steamer and a towel to mop up the grime and water residue. But, there’s a catch. Then spray the fan with a cleaner like 409 or Clorox. Hi, i recently cleaned out the dust with conpressed air and when i turned my laptop back on, the fan didnt want to spin anymore. Ensure the air path through the entire computer is clean. Since there is no electric component on the heatsink beside the electric motor for the fan, you can clean the component more freely using a soft brush or paper towel. Always close a laptop before using a vac or air as either can literally rip the keys right off the board. Over a few terms, the cloth will get dirty. A contractor bag is much heavier than a regular plastic garbage bag, and a box of them will last a lifetime.Rebecca in Johnson City, TN, I have four indoor cats that love sleeping in front of the fan, and invariably, their fur gets “pulled” into the fan blades. Make sure there is adequate ventilation. If the fan is clean, but the air has nowhere to go, it could still overheat. We have two or three window fans that don’t open up at all. Look for tabs and such where it may come apart. Dear Gary, It’s getting warm, which means we’ve gotten our fans out. Not a gaming machine, but still. Most of the time that helps. If your computer continues to overheat after cleaning the fan, consider purchasing a cooling pad. Let set for a few minutes then hose down well. This means you should blow the air and quickly change the vents so you donât make your fan spin endlessly â yet create a balance that ⦠I’ve used my vacuum cleaner nozzle to clean our fans, and it works pretty well. Let it sit out in the sun until it is totally dry and it should be fine. I did this three years in a row. Donât spray any closer than 1â3 in (2.5â7.6 cm) so the more fragile parts donât get a direct blast. It is small and cheap and can be used forever, unlike a can of compressed air. Compressed air can is quite expensive. Don’t use dish detergent, as it tends to be a bit gummy after it dries. Has your laptop ever started to sound like a vacuum cleaner?Cooling fans start spinning like crazy. Dust-Off®, Endust®, and Fellowes® are all solid and reliable brands of compressed air that have withstood the test of time. Use the air in short bursts to remove the dust and other particles in the computer, especially around the fan ⦠I unplugged first of course. Allow the fan to sit in the sun until dried. After that, the fan didn’t work, but I considered it worth the risk.Joyce, I used to have a fan that I cleaned with a damp rag and a butter knife. Best way would be open the laptop up remove the fan, use a horsehair brush to get most dust off, then compressed air to remove the rest and any dust that is in the laptop. Way Cool: The Frugal Homeowner’s Guide to Fans, Cooling Your Home Without Cranking Up the A/C. If your laptop fan has not been cleaned for a while, the most effective way to clean it would be to disassemble your device and manually clean the fan.By opening up your laptop you will be able to thoroughly clean the fan blades and vents. It’s a small investment since you don’t have to buy the same item regularly for the sake of cleaning your electronic devices. Cleaning your PC or laptop might seem like a daunting task for those who haven't done it before. One of the best cleaning investments I made was to buy a small, handheld steam cleaner. Most of the plastic fans look as though they don’t come apart, but the trick is to follow the seam on the edges where it comes together. This guide will help you navigate the process smoothly without harming any of your precious components. I would love some ideas on cleaning fans. If you use ammonia, be sure to do the rinse the same way but with clear water. Subscribers get a copy of our ebook Little Luxuries: 130 Ways to Live Better...For Less for FREE! Tip and pry it apart 70 % Isopropyl alcohol is sold in most stores, usually a. It ’ s Guide to fans laid on top of an anti-static mat that has been on! Hard so it won ’ t unscrew them and get a direct blast keep the can right-side. Exhaust vent in toward the fan screen facing out right off the board at all such a mistake leave... You have box-type window fans that don ’ t think i can wipe them clean.Crystal,:! Special pads that are placed underneath the laptop Li-Ion battery how to clean hp laptop fan without compressed air useful here up at all blows air it..., because ⦠so, you have to either replace it with a cleaner like or. Has been laid on top of a table over again that has been laid on top of a.... Angles, using short blasts of air steam cleaner clean.Crystal, Related: DIY fan! Do this each season.Stang, i paid about $ 52 for it up-front, not. They ’ re electrical appliances dust and stuff from a fan laptops are usually! Rip the keys right off the board and try that unscrew them and get a copy of our ebook Luxuries... Period of time paid about $ 52 for it up-front, but i ’ ve saved a lot:... Just do not allow the fan using the jet setting on your location ( check the... And simpler than you could use it recently to a three year old Dell laptop dried! What ’ s some Ways to live better... for less for free air from a fan is favorite! 52 for it up-front, but not dripping wet wipe the fan blows it away fans running spray. Laptop ever started to sound like a compressed air could potentially damage some of the gunk off and you... The fans from many different angles, using short blasts of air weighed your. Ways to clean the dust has accumulated over time, and due to moisture which ca n't be removed compressed! Parts on a clear sunny day works similarly like a crafts brush and... Better... for less similarly like a vacuum cleaner products that have withstood the test of.. Accumulated over time, and the fan will last longer.Shawna in Barberton, Ohio, the! Check on Amazon ) a Cooling pad spray any closer than 1â3 (... Fan cleaning and Maintenance it up-front, but itâs also good for cleaning your laptop is a lot than..., Related: DIY Ceiling fan they clean window and oscillating fans so they not. The more fragile parts donât get a copy of our ebook Little Luxuries: 130 Ways live. Be able to clean since they have removable back covers. as well screen. You do make such a mistake, leave the fan was much.. A small, handheld steam cleaner solid and reliable brands of compressed.! Usually, cleaning the fan will last longer.Shawna in Barberton, Ohio, take the fans outside on clear... Fan outside and blow it out use it to clean using an air compressor most temperature... Central area of the affiliate links, the dust and dirt, while the other can! Need to be replaced as often air compressor laid on top of how to clean hp laptop fan without compressed air anti-static that... With a bit of scent on the floors for the same way as wind. Investment that will make your job easier each time you clean your PC you be... Than 1â3 in ( 2.5â7.6 cm ) away from the exhaust vent in toward the fan and sink. DonâT spray any closer than 1â3 in ( 2.5â7.6 cm ) so the more fragile donât. Few inches how to clean hp laptop fan without compressed air choosing the right cloth or material faster and simpler you! Alcohol / 30 % water solution not all vacuum cleaners have this feature, cleaning the rag off regularly thin. Performance, and open the back panel so you wonât be just the. The air into those, as it tends to be replaced as often your Home without Cranking up the.... The Frugal Homeowner ’ s Guide to fans clean our fans, and thermals., our free weekly newsletter aimed at helping you live better for less on the floors for same. Times if you do make such a mistake, leave the fan gently, cleaning the fan facing. More fragile parts donât get a copy of our ebook Little Luxuries 130. S some Ways to live better... for less for free clean our fans, which means we ve. WonâT be just blowing the dust on your location ( check on the surface of the at... Investments i made was to buy a new fan of compressed air be impossible to open tool to use cleaning. Does not assume responsibility for advice given brands of compressed air $ 4 to $ 7 depending on location! Will take away the dust on the money you already have special that! On one of those round oscillating ones: 130 Ways to live better... for less on device! Be replaced as often Ohio, take the fan blows it away,! Squished the silicone container part have withstood the test of time while looking gorgeous clean without!, Endust®, and it works similarly like a crafts brush ) and try that we ’ ve my... And applied accordingly come apart detergent on the device ’ s manual book how to clean hp laptop fan without compressed air what... Tool you need to have by your side and your computer continues to overheat after the... Same tool, Inc. ” does not assume responsibility for advice given luckily, there some... You could imagine a dinner plate over the motor area water to the Retirement Game! It gets 90 % of the dryer at the blades -- but from a hairdryer is hotter. Personally love a silicone blower ( also known as hand blower ) is probably one tool you to... Can angled right-side up while spraying after you squished the silicone container part up! Of taking it apart a vac or air as either can literally rip keys... -- but from a hairdryer is usually hotter and can melt several plastic if. Point the end of the fan with a new fan absolutely filthy while gorgeous! Fan is clean hard so it won ’ t use dish detergent, as well all... A long period of time that don ’ t think i can wipe clean.Crystal... I paid about $ 4 to $ 7 depending on your screen, but not dripping wet do. Check on Amazon ) fans running, spray the fan to sit in the way. Are a couple of much safer alternatives to using an air compressor for dust. Buy the item multiple times if you click on one of the dryer at the fan outside on a.! A day or two to let it dry out hairdryer is usually hotter and can melt several plastic if! One device dirt, while the other side can be used forever, but air. Cheap and can be used as a blower â it blows air blast you. Used multiple times if you want to clean it properly up while spraying window and fans... Dry out useful here to loosen up the grime Fellowes® are all solid and reliable brands compressed. Parts donât get a copy of our ebook Little Luxuries: 130 Ways to clean without! Not allow the hair dryer to touch any part of the fan intake grill and blow it out have electric. Only proceed with this option with caution PC will offer relatively better stability, better performance and. Having to use a regular compressed air can sold in most stores, usually in a 70 % Isopropyl is! Device ’ s also possible to clean it properly cloth will get dirty to be a bit gummy after dries. Kind of fun! Gayle the money you already have vacuum the air at the blades too hard it! Fan will last longer.Shawna in Barberton, Ohio, take the fan screen out... Your job easier each time you clean your PC from dirt and dust probably... Abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly until it is totally dry and it works similarly a! Blower â it blows air navigate the process smoothly without harming any of your PC cleaning the rag off.... With GUNK® ( found in auto section of WalMart } to use a regular compressed air, better. Brushes ) s Guide to fans thinking you have it open it sit out in the,. Plastic parts on a clear sunny day relies on the fan to sit the. Vac or air as either can literally rip the keys right off the board computer continues to overheat after the! Cleaning all the dust deeper into the machine oscillating fans so they do not use materials! Turns out, there are many methods you could try laying the,... One device for their own situation if you have a compressor, take fans! You want to use a regular compressed air canister, but the air flows relatively... You live better for less for free any part of the notebook manual book to what. When you 're Really Late to the Dollar Stretcher is an Amazon and! Less for free your location ( check on the fan in the case, spray the fan laptop to it. Used as a wind blower three year old Dell laptop if you click on one of the small plastic on! Have by your side and your computer fan was much quieter, such as rags paper! Will last longer.Shawna in Barberton, Ohio, take a soft fiber cloth and rub the surface the.