Best Linux System Cleaning Tool

Just like the windows machine, in Linux system, we too need to clean the junks like cache, browser history and other log and temporary file that are left behind in the system. Cleaning those unwanted files from the system helps us to clear some memory and also helps us to speed up the system.

For windows operating system we get to see a lot of software available like CCleaner, Advance system care, Tuneup Utility etc that gets the job done. But for Linux system, we are still not very sure which is the best one out there. So in this article, I wanna talk about three tools which I think is best for this purpose. But before that lets talk do we really need a cleanup utility in Linux.

Do we need a system cleanup tool for Linux?

Well first if we see the windows system we know that it has an affection of keeping junks file (temporary files) whether it be from a web browser or be it from media players. This leftover files use up memory and sometimes slows down the computer system. So, it became necessary to clean those junks file from the computer system.

Now when we come to Linux system we have to know that Linux cleans all the temporary junks file automatically. And unlike Windows, Linux system does not have any registry so mess up the system.

In Linux, most of the cleaning can be done using the terminal which pretty much does the job for us. But if you want to get the job done at one place without typing the command in the terminal every single time than we can use this cleanup Utility which can clean all the cache, browser history, clear clipboard and also good to fix the broken packages in the system.

Now the three utility tool are:

1. Bleach Bit

Bleach Bit is an awesome easy to use tool that can perform its job with ease. You can clean it as a normal user or it as a root user. It is a cross-platform app available for both Linux and Windows.

It supports most of the applications for cleaning and gives you the option for cleaning Log files, cookies, browser history etc.

Some of the features of this app are

Simple GUI with preview and delete option.
Open source application
Cross-platform ( both Linux and windows)
Shred file to prevent data recovery

Bleach Bit can be installed from the terminal using:

sudo apt-get install bleachbit

Bleach Bit are pre- installed in Ubuntu 14.04 and 15.04.

Website: https://www.bleachbit.org/

2. GtkOrphan

GtkOrphan is another useful system cleaning tool which helps to clean the orphan library file from the system. It is a graphical tool (Perl/gtk2) which first scan your system searching for orphan libraries. It has graphical front-end with the compatibility to clean with a click. This app is designed for Debian based distribution. This tool must e run with administration privilege i.e as a root.

Some of the features of this app are -

Simple intuitive utility
On-the-fly changes
Shows packages in hibernation
Good support
Easy to use

GtkOrphan is currently available in Debian and Ubuntu repositories.

GtkOrphan can be install from the terminal using:

sudo apt-get install gtkorphan

Requirement: gksu, perl, deborphan(>=1.7.28-2)

Website: www.marzocca.net/linux

3. Synaptic

Synaptic is a graphical package management program for apt. It helps to install, remove, upgrade and downgrade single and multiple packages in a system. And there is a feature within Synaptic that allows us to get rid of residual config files. The residual files are usually dependency packages that are left behind after we uninstalled a program for the system. All you need to do is click on the stauts button and then click on the residue config list in the upper left panel and select the file in the right pane and click Apply to remove them from the system.

Some of the features of this app are-