How to Clean a motherboard the right way?

How to Clean a motherboard

The motherboard is the heartbeat of any PC, as it handles every other component function. Therefore, keeping such an integral unit clean is crucial for the computer’s longevity. Beyond that, it also shows how responsible you are as a PC user.

A clean motherboard means flawless computer operation. But how do you correctly clean a motherboard panel? It’s an important question, as a typical motherboard has many modules and ports where specks of dust can settle.

This piece will highlight the correct steps to thoroughly clean your PC’s motherboard and the different techniques you can use.

Ways to Clean a Motherboard

Generally, there are two ways you can clean a motherboard if you must do so.

Routine Cleaning


Routine cleaning involves the user removing dirt from the board as a regular maintenance schedule. It’s also the cleaning type that requires minimum cleaning equipment. With routine cleaning, you won’t have to remove the motherboard from the PC.


Furthermore, routine motherboard cleaning is the most common technique for most regular PC users.

Deep cleaning


Deep cleaning is a more rigorous technique than routine motherboard cleaning. It involves removing significant amounts of dirt and debris from the panel, usually with the help of alcohol.


It bears mentioning that deep cleaning requires lots of caution, as you can brick the motherboard with one wrong move. Therefore, the recommendation is to deep-clean the PC’s board only when necessary.


Some scenarios might warrant a deep-clean for the motherboard. For example, when certain content spills onto the board, the panel has gone several years without a brush-up.

Steps on How to Clean a Motherboard

These are the steps you need to follow when trying to clean your motherboard, either by routine or deep-clean technique:

Routine Cleaning

  • Step 1: Get a soft brush and compressed air canisters. Shut down the computer and unplug the cables from the mains.
  • Step 2: Open the PC’s case’s side panels. Remove all if they’re more than one. This action allows the dust to exit the computer during cleaning safely.
  • Step 3: Spray the compressed air directly across the motherboard’s components. It’s best to start at the top of the board and work down.
  • Step 4: Continue spraying until all dust particles are out of the case. Take care not to let the tip of the compressed air canister touch the panel.
  • Step 5: Use the soft brush to finish up. Brush gently to remove any residue on the motherboard. Afterwards, reassemble and reconnect the PC as before.

Deep Cleaning

  • Step 1: Get the necessary cleaning items: cotton pads, isopropyl alcohol, a metal tub, a stiff nylon-bristled brush, and a dry towel.
  • Step 2: Remove the motherboard from the PC case and set it on the lint-free towel. Examine the dirty areas to see if you need to dunk the entire board in alcohol.
  • Step 3: Seal the cotton pads with alcohol and dab the dirty spots. If there are too many dirt areas, you can immerse the entire board in the metal tub filled with alcohol.
  • Step 4: Brush lightly with the nylon brush where necessary.
  • Step 5: Take the motherboard out and let it dry for at least 48 hours. Then, you can fix it into your PC and reassemble it.

Wrapping Up

We can’t overemphasize the need to clean your motherboard over time. However, learning how to clean a motherboard isn’t the same as cleaning household items. It requires more attention and care so that you don’t damage the panel entirely.

We’ve listed the steps to clean your motherboard correctly – either routinely or deep-clean. The information can help you to prolong your board’s lifespan and performance.

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