The weather is warming, and with spring in the air, it’s time to open your windows, dust off your desk, and clean up your work and gaming setups (even if they’re one and the same). That means untangling your cables and setting yourself up for less cleaning next time.
Here’s how to get organized.
Dusting up
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Andres Jacobi / iStock / Getty Images Plus
If you’re blowing out your PC, hold the fans in place so they can’t spin.
Keeping your workspace clean should begin with removing dust, dander, and pet hair. After removing everything from your desk, a good wipe down with a Swiffer Sweeper cloth will remove all of that.
Cleaning your PC, laptop, or game console is a bit trickier, and you generally shouldn’t use a Swiffer cloth or vacuum on electronics because they generate static. Instead, blow them out with compressed air. If you have a disposable can lying around, that’s great, but otherwise, you should pick up an electric blower from Sin Shine or Xpower instead. Electric dusters are powerful and will save you money in the long run, and don’t release the same toxic gas as canned air. They also usually come with various attachments so you can use them across the house.
If you want a duster without a power cable, this rechargeable blower from Wincooll has a 6000mAh battery and often goes on sale for under $50. The nozzle is the perfect shape for blowing out electronics, keyboards, and crevices, and it can be placed down for storage when not in use.
It’s a good rule of thumb to clean devices with active cooling once a month to prevent dust and hair from building up inside. If you’re blowing out your PC, hold the fans in place so they can’t spin; spinning the fans like this can turn them into turbines and feed electricity back into your system.
Whether you have a gaming chair or something more suited for the office at your desk, there’s no harm in giving it a once over (especially if you have pets). A Scotch-Brite lint roller will work wonders, but there are also reusable options that will save you money in the long run. I can vouch for the ChomChom Pet Hair Remover, a reusable brush that wicks up pet hair and is easy to clean. It also has 135,000 reviews, nearly all of which are positive.
Untangle your cables
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martin-dm / E+
If your monitor has a USB-C port that delivers power, you can attach a phone charging cable to keep it off the floor.
Tying up loose cables and routing them is the easiest way to keep your desk clean. (And getting them off the floor makes it easier to clean under there.)
Reusable Velcro cable ties are a cheap and easy way to organize your cables, and I use them both inside my PC and at my desk. Honestly, they’re all pretty much the same, but this 100 pack from HAVE ME at least includes four different lengths of tie and can usually costs under $10.
If you don’t mind pulling your desk forward an inch or two, sticking cable combs or management clips to the back of it will stop them from spreading out. You can pick up a 50 pack of self-adhesive cable clips for less than $15. They’ll work on the underside of your desk, too
Don’t sleep on an often overlooked part of your desktop setup; you might already have a USB hub built into your monitor. The best gaming monitors and even many of the lower-priced productivity monitors include extra USB ports. If you’re worried about increased latency while gaming, even just moving your webcam or microphone over and bundling the extra length of cable behind the display will help. And if your monitor has a USB-C port that delivers power, you can attach a phone charging cable to keep it off the floor.
Another easy way to save space is to put your monitor (or monitors) on an arm and get the stands off your desk. The Amazon Basics monitor arms are sturdy, adjustable, and even include integrated cable routing channels. If you have a new-ish television, like the LG C2 (our pick for the best gaming TV), most will have some form of cable management integrated into the stand. If you’ve mounted it to the wall, bust out those cable ties.
Just a word of warning: never over-stress your cables. It’s alright to route them tightly, but make sure there’s at least a little slack at either end to prevent strain and damage.
Going wireless
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PixelsEffect / E+
Upgrading to a wireless computer mouse is a great way to help declutter your desk space.
The easiest way to free your desk from clutter is to get rid of the cables altogether. Upgrading to a fully featured wireless mouse like the Logitech MX Master 3S or a good gaming mouse, and pairing it with a wireless keyboard is an easy upgrade that won’t break the bank.
If you’re a gamer, snag a wireless controller that can be used across multiple devices, whether it be forPC/Mac, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or Nintendo Switch.
Personally, I like the 8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller, which includes a handsome charging dock. The controller itself can connect to multiple devices via Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, and I use it across my PC, Steam Deck, and Switch.
Bulk storage
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Charise Wilson Photography / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Keeping an organized desk draw will help ensure your desk space is clean and tidy.
Finally, picking up more physical storage is an easy way to contain the clutter; I’m a big fan of the three-drawer Poppin Stow filing cabinets. They come in a variety of stylish colors, are made of sturdy solid steel (and are powder coated inside and out), come with a lock and extra keys, and are available with or without wheels. Poppin also makes two-drawer and slim versions to fit every need.
For about $100 less, Laura Davidson also sells steel three- and two-drawer filing cabinets in a comparable array of colors. Like Poppin, they even offer wood as a front panel option.
Putting a monitor stand on your desk will also create extra space for documents or office accessories, regardless of whether you’re rocking a full PC or working from a laptop. Some stands, like this aluminum one from Vaydeer, include an integrated USB hub and charging ports to help centralize your clutter. (There’s also a version with integrated wireless Qi charging.) Even something as simple as a headphone stand can tidy things up—Yamazaki Home’s $25 headphone stand, for instance, is sleek and durable, but there are a bevy of less expensive options too.
Maintenance is the easiest thing you can do to make sure that next spring won’t be as much of a hassle. Dusting your work and gaming spaces regularly, blowing out your electronics, and untangling your cables will not only put less work on your plate in the long run but potentially extend the life of your devices.
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