Can Self-Cleaning My PS3 Hurt It?

Materials

• To give your PlayStation 3 a thorough cleaning, it's important to use the right tools for the job. You can safely clean your gaming console on the inside and outside with a cleaning solution safe for use on electronic devices, microfiber cloth, cotton swabs and a vacuum. These materials will work to clean the PlayStation 3 itself and its peripherals, such as the controllers.

Outside Cleaning

• The outside of your PlayStation 3 gets covered in dust the longer it sits in your home. Though dust on the outside of the device isn't hazardous in theory, this dust can cause problems if if enters the gaming system. Pour a small amount of the cleaning solution onto the microfiber cloth and gently rub the cloth around the outside of the gaming console. To clean hard-to-reach areas, dip a cotton swab in some of the cleaning solution and carefully rub the dust out of these areas.

Inside Cleaning

• The elements inside the PlayStation 3, such as the optical eye and other parts related to the operation and reading of the disc, are extremely sensitive and should not be touched. If you attempt to clean these areas, you may cause irreparable damage to the console. The system has a self-cleaning function that you can initiate by pressing the "Power" and "Eject" buttons at the same time when the machine is off. The PS3's fans will all begin to spin, which will blow excess dust out of the inside of the machine and clean it out.

Controllers

• Over time, the PlayStation 3 controllers will accumulate grime and dust, and eventually may stop working if these substances get inside. To clean them, give them a thorough vacuuming, then use the microfiber cloth and cotton swabs, coupled with the cleaning solution, to carefully remove dirt and grease.