The holidays always leave a mark, don’t they? Between the late-night sessions and the endless stream of snacks, your setup probably looks a bit worse for wear. Maybe there’s a stray crumb wedged under your spacebar, or perhaps your mouse feels a little less “pro-grade” and more “sticky-grade.” It happens to everyone.
Deep Cleaning Your Keys
Let’s start with the keyboard, where the evidence of holiday snacking lives. Grab a keycap puller. If you don’t have one, fingers work, though I wouldn’t recommend it if you value your nails. Once those caps are off, drop them into warm water with a tiny bit of dish soap. Let them soak. While they’re drying, use compressed air or an electric duster — those rechargeable ones are great — to blow out the hair and debris. It’s a bit disgusting to see what accumulates, isn’t it? If you have a mechanical board, this is also the perfect time to check if any switches feel scratchy.
Sanitizing Peripheral Surfaces
Next, move on to your controller or mouse. This is where things get more delicate. 70% isopropyl alcohol is the gold standard, but be careful. If you’re using a mouse with a specialty matte coating, too much alcohol might wear that finish down. Use a microfiber cloth, dampen it slightly, and wipe the surfaces. For those annoying seams where “gamer gunk” builds up, a wooden toothpick is your best friend. It’s strangely satisfying to scrape that away, even if it feels a little bit wrong. Even if you use a controller with Hall Effect joysticks and don’t worry about drift, dust still gets into buttons and causes sticking.
Maintaining the Visuals
What about your screen? Please, stay away from window cleaners. Ammonia can ruin the anti-reflective coating on a modern gaming monitor. Instead, use a dry microfiber cloth first. If there’s a stubborn fingerprint, use a tiny amount of distilled water. Some people swear by specialized cleaners, but honestly, distilled water does the trick without the extra cost. Make sure the monitor is off before you start wiping. You might be surprised by how much dust settles on a horizontal stand or the back of a panel.
Clearing the Air
Don’t forget the invisible stuff. With the heat turned up during winter, dust is likely clogging your filters. Pop those filters off and give them a quick rinse or vacuum. If you’re opening your PC, remember to hold fan blades still when blowing air. Letting them spin freely can generate a small electrical charge that might not be great for your motherboard. It’s one of those small things people overlook, but it matters.
Cleaning your gear isn’t just about the aesthetics. It’s about making sure hardware actually lasts. A sticky switch or a clogged fan isn’t just an eyesore; it’s a performance killer. This is especially true if you’ve been pulling all-nighters to beat the titles in our vGamerz 2025 Games of the Year rankings—all that high-intensity gaming takes a toll on your kit. It might take an hour, but your gear will thank you during your next marathon session. Nothing feels quite as good as sitting at a fresh, clean desk.
What is the messiest thing you have ever found inside your keyboard? Tell us your stories in the comments below! Also, follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more gaming news and maintenance tips.
Sources:
- www.pcgamer.com/how-to-clean-your-gaming-keyboard/
- www.tomshardware.com/how-to/clean-your-pc
- www.ign.com/articles/how-to-clean-your-gaming-console-ps5-xbox-series-x-s-nintendo-switch
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