How to Use Compressed Air to Clean Your Laptop

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Easily remove dust and debris from a laptop with canned air

Co-authored by Yaffet Meshesha

Last Updated: December 12, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Cleaning the Exterior
|
• Cleaning Inside
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• Video
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• Expert Q&A
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• Tips
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• Warnings

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Cleaning your laptop doesn’t have to be a complicated chore. You can do it quickly and easily with a can of compressed air. Compressed air is inexpensive and widely available from computer or office supply stores. They are safe for your computer, as long as you keep the cans angled right-side up and don't spray them closer than 1 inch (2.5 cm) from internal components. This wikiHow article teaches you everything you need to know about cleaning a laptop with compressed air, with expert tips from computer specialist Yaffet Meshesha.

Cleaning a Laptop With Compressed Air

1. Power off and unplug your laptop.
2. Keep the can 1–3 in (2.5–7.6 cm) away from the laptop.
3. Hold your keyboard at a 75-degree angle.
4. Hold the can upright.
5. Use short bursts of air to clean the keyboard, vents, and USB ports.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Cleaning the Laptop Exterior

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1. 
   1
   Power off your laptop and unplug it. Before doing any cleaning on your laptop, it’s a good idea to make sure your computer is powered off and unplugged. You don’t want any condensation or liquid cleaners that could potentially damage your laptop to get inside your laptop.
2. 
   2
   Keep the can 1–3 in (2.5–7.6 cm) away from the laptop. Compressed air could potentially damage some of the small plastic parts on a laptop. Plus, you don’t want condensation to accumulate on your computer, which could damage it. Don’t spray any closer than 1–3 in (2.5–7.6 cm) so the more fragile parts don’t get a direct blast.

   • "You always want to keep the compressed air at a 90-degree angle," Meshesha explains. "You can't really turn it sideways. You have to set it straight because if you turn it in any direction or orientation, the compressed air will actually spit out the hydrogen, and essentially, it will turn into ice."
   • This wikiHow guide can help you clean your laptop's keyboard using other easy-to-find products.
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3. 
   3
   Spray quick bursts into all the side vents and bottom vents. Start by keeping the laptop closed and flipping it over so the bottom points up. Take the spray can and give each opening on the bottom a few quick bursts to blast out dust and gunk that’s built up.

   • These vents are responsible for keeping the laptop cool. Dust buildup could cause overheating, so your computer should run more smoothly when all the dust is removed.
4. 
   4
   Clean out all the USB and charging ports. Dust can accumulate in these openings along the sides of the laptop, and there may also be some along the back edge. Meshesha says to spray a few short bursts of air into the vents and ports along the laptop to clear them out.

   • Dust in the ports can cause connectivity issues, so any external devices should run smoothly with the dust cleared out.
5. 
   5
   Open the laptop lid and tilt the front down at about a 75-degree angle. Lift the screen and open it slightly more than halfway so you can access the keyboard easily. Then tilt the laptop downward so its front edge points at the floor. This tilt is important so any dust you blow off doesn’t settle back in a different spot or get blown further in.

   • You could also flip the laptop on its side and get the same effect.
   • Make sure you're working over a wide, flat surface in case you lose your grip on the laptop. You don't want it falling to the floor.
6. 
   6
   Spray the keyboard from top to bottom in even rows. Start on either side and position the can at the top of the keyboard. Spray in straight rows, from top to bottom, so the dust blows downward. Work across the keyboard until you reach the other side.

   • You can use slightly longer bursts than you did for the vents, but don’t hold the trigger down for very long bursts. This could spray out cold foam that could damage the computer.
7. 
   7
   Blow some air onto the touchpad to clear it off. Some dust may have settled on the touchpad while you cleaned the keyboard. Give this a quick spray to remove it and finish up cleaning the laptop exterior.
8. 
   8
   Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe away any excess moisture. If the compressed air can happens to blow out any moisture or foam, use a microfiber cloth to wipe it away.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Dusting the Internal Components

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1. 
   1
   Check with your laptop’s manufacturer before opening it. For some laptop models, opening it may void your warranty. Call customer service or check with the point-of-sale to make sure it is okay to open your laptop.
2. 
   2
   Unplug and power down your laptop. Always make sure the laptop is off and unplugged before opening it up. Otherwise, you could shock yourself and damage the internal parts.

   • You should also wear static wrist bands or touch something metal to ground yourself before handling your computer’s internal components. A slight static discharge can damage your computer’s components.
3. 
   3
   Open the laptop to expose its motherboard and other internal parts. According to Meshesha, you can take off the bottom of the laptop case to reach its internals. To do this, you’ll need to close the screen cover and flip the laptop upside down, then use a screwdriver and remove the screws along the back of the laptop. Then, remove the plastic casing to expose the laptop’s internal components.

   • Work in an area with the windows closed and no fans running. Wind can blow more dust into the computer.
   • If you aren’t comfortable working on your computer or opening it up, then bring it to a repair shop for a professional cleaning.
4. 
   4
   Hold the can at least 3 in (7.6 cm) away from the components. The laptop’s internal components are much more fragile than the exterior, so keep the can a safe distance away. Don’t spray the air any closer than 3 in (7.6 cm) to avoid any damage.

   • Also, angle the can off-center from where you’re spraying. Spraying straight at the computer components could blow the dust deeper, or at least not remove it as well.
5. 
   5
   Spray quick bursts around the motherboard to remove dust. Dust can build up on the chips and boards within the computer and inhibit performance. Give a few sprays around all of the internal parts to blast out the dust. Remember to keep the can at a safe distance away while you’re spraying.
6. 
   6
   Clean off any fans that you see to prevent overheating. The laptop fans can’t spin as well if dust builds on them. While the computer is open, spray any fans you see to keep them running smoothly.

   • Hold the fans down with your finger if they spin while you’re spraying them. Apply light pressure so you don’t break them.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  Can compressed air ruin a computer?

  

  Yaffet Meshesha
  Computer Specialist

  Yaffet Meshesha is a Computer Specialist and the Founder of Techy, a full-service computer pickup, repair, and delivery service. With over eight years of experience, Yaffet specializes in computer repairs and technical support. Techy has been featured on TechCrunch and Time.

  

  Yaffet Meshesha

  Computer Specialist

  Expert Answer

  If you hold the can sideways or upside-down, it could spray liquid and damage your computer. Keep the compressed air upright while you're working.

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Tips

• For further cleaning, you can also dampen a microfiber cloth with a 1:1 alcohol and water mixture and wipe down the keyboard, keys, and laptop body. Use a microfiber cloth damp with distilled water or screen-cleaning solution to clean the screen. Use the dry part of the cloth to wipe away any excess moisture. Make sure the cloth doesn’t drip any liquid onto the computer.
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• Foam coming out while the can is right-side up could mean that it’s almost empty. Get a new can if you see foam spraying out.
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Warnings

• Do not inhale the fumes from a spray can. Keep the can at arm's length away from your face while spraying.
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• Do not smoke or have an open flame around compressed air. The mixture inside can be flammable, and it produces poisonous fumes when it is lit on fire.
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• Keep the can turned right-side up while spraying it. If you flip the can upside down, it will spray out a cold foam that could damage the computer. Avoid this by only spraying the can while it’s angled straight up.
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