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How to Limit the Amount of Dust Your PS3 Gets

Keeping a PlayStation 3 (PS3) video game console dust free is similar to keeping a computer free of dust. The PS3's hardware has more in common with a laptop computer than a traditional fan-free game console from the 1990s. You probably won't be able to keep the console dust free, so the trick is to create an environment for the PS3 that minimizes dust exposure, and to clean the console on a regular basis.

Things You'll Need

Vacuum cleaner
Wash cloth

Instructions

- 1
  
  Airflow cools you, but it also moves dust around.
  
  Place the PS3 console somewhere that has limited airflow. Keep it way from heating vents, cooling vents, and airflow from external fans. The additional airflow will bring more dust around the PS3, which will eventually work its way into the console. However, restricting airflow too much around the console will cause it to overheat and may lead to a broken console.
- 2
  Position the PS3 away from areas that accumulate dust. Place the console off the ground and away from carpeting. Additionally, try to make this position inaccessible to fur-shedding animals and away from smoke. Animal fur and cigarette smoke can accumulate in the dust and work their way into the console.
- 3
  Position the PS3 console sideways. If the console is positioned sideways the typical downward dust flow will get on the plastic cover of the PS3 instead of working their way through the large output vent on the console when the console is not in use. However, positioning the console sideways is not as effective at cooling the system.
- 4
  Clean the PS3's plastic case regularly with a dry washcloth. The outside case of the PS3 will accumulate dust unless you've positioned it in a sterile environment. You can keep this dust from building up and working its way into the console by cleaning it off regularly. The dust will come right off as you wipe.
- 5
  Dust around the PS3. If the area around the PS3 is also cleaned, dust that has accumulated there will not work its way into the console. The PS3 has an input fan and an output fun that creates airflow through the console that can move dust inside.
- 6
  Vacuum the game console's vents with a low-power vacuum cleaner. The PS3 console has a rear vent and a top and side vent. When the system is on, you can feel airflow going into the console from the back vent and airflow going out of the console from the top and side vent. You can clean these vents with a low-power setting vacuum cleaner. Turn off the console and gently use the thinnest hand attachment to suck the dust out of the vents.

PlayStation 3