Website Browser Caching - How often should you clear it and how to do it

In our last article, we talked about what website browser caching is and why it’s important to clear it. Now let’s find out how often you should clear your browser cache, and how to do just that - on either Mac or PC.

So the answer for how often you should clear your cache really depends on your browsing habits and personal preferences. But, we'll break it down for you:

- If you're a casual web surfer, doing it every few months or even once a year should be just fine. It's like a spring clean for your browser.

- If you're on the internet all day, every day, or if you do a lot of online work then clearing your cache more often, say once a month, can keep your web browser running smoothly. It's like tidying up your workspace to stay productive.

- If you've been to any sketchy websites or suspect your browser has been compromised, it's like changing your locks after a break-in. Clear your cache immediately to ensure no digital nasties are lurking.

- If you notice your browser acting up, like having slow loading times, displaying outdated content or strange glitches happening, clear your cache to see if it fixes the issues. It's like rebooting a finicky computer.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all rule! It's all about balance though - you don't want to overdo it and lose your saved logins, passwords, preferences and autofills too often. This all depends on which website browser you’re using though, and the settings you’ve confirmed, so use your cache clearing powers wisely. The key is to find your sweet spot - whether it's regular housekeeping or an occasional clean-up. Think of it like keeping your browser in tip-top shape so it's always ready for your online adventures.

Now that you know what it is, why you should clear it, and how often you should clear it, it’s time to actually go about clearing the cache on your device to give your MacBook or PC a refreshing boost!

Here's how to clear your web browser cache on a Mac:

Safari

1. Open Safari

2. In the top menu, click on ‘Safari’

3. Select ‘Clear History...’

4. In the dropdown, choose the time range you want to clear (e.g. the last hour, today, or all history)

5. Click ‘Clear History’

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome

2. In the top menu, click on ‘Chrome’

3. Select ‘Clear Browsing Data...’

4. In the popup, choose the time range and the types of data you want to clear (e.g. Cached images and files)

5. Click ‘Clear Data’

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Firefox

2. In the top menu, click on ‘History’

3. Select ‘Clear Recent History...’

4. In the popup, choose the time range and the types of data you want to clear (e.g. Cache)

5. Click ‘Clear Now’

And here's how to clear your web browser cache on a PC:

Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome

2. Press ‘Ctrl + Shift + Delete’ on your keyboard

3. In the popup, choose the time range and the types of data you want to clear (e.g. Cached images and files)

4. Click ‘Clear data’

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Firefox

2. Press ‘Ctrl + Shift + Delete’

3. In the popup, choose the time range and the types of data you want to clear (e.g. Cache)

4. Click ‘Clear Now’

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Edge

2. Press ‘Ctrl + Shift + Delete’

3. In the popup, choose the time range and the types of data you want to clear (e.g. Cached images and files)

4. Click ‘Clear’

Now that you know how to clear your cache, don't be afraid to go for it - it can free up space and improve performance, and who doesn’t want that, right?!