Take every other cord out of the corresponding ports. This includes the power supply and any wired controllers. Wiping the case will prevent dust or grime from building up around the external openings of the machine.

You can rub the panels on the back if you really want to, but don’t touch the ports or openings.

You can use a cotton swab instead of a toothpick if you’re worried about damaging your case.

When you press the power button on the front or turn the PS3 off from the dashboard, you aren’t actually shutting the power down. The system just goes into standby mode, which is sort of like sleep mode on a computer. Take any discs out of the PS3 before doing this. It probably won’t damage them, but there’s no harm in playing it safe.

Spray the seams on the side to knock any grime towards the back of the frame.

You can enlist the help of a friend if you find it kind of awkward to plug it in and hold the button at the same time.

This activates the self-cleaning function for the PlayStation 3. Essentially, the system overclocks the machine until the dust is removed. You may see a ton of dirt and dust shooting out of the vents. Wipe it up with a paper towel. This process can take 1-5 minutes.

Depending on how dirty your vents are, you may need a few cotton swabs.

There is a total of 3 or 4 screws depending on the model of the machine. These screws are pretty small, so be careful to not lose them when you take them out. Once you remove the stickers, your warranty is voided.

If it’s sticking a little bit and you have to pry it off by starting on one side, you should have an easy time popping it off after you get one edge lifted off.

If you wipe it with a disinfectant wipe, you’ll have to let it air dry for at least 30 minutes before reinstalling it.

The Phillips screws are a little longer than the TR9 screws. You may need to pry them up a little bit with a flat edge.

The nozzle attachment on the can of compressed air looks like a really thin pen. It’s a hollow piece of plastic that concentrates the air in one location. Do not use any disinfectant wipes, soap, or water in this area.

The stickers you peeled off aren’t structurally important. Go ahead and just toss it out.