I have a gaming laptop that I found has degraded in performance over the 2 years I had it.
It seems to be a heating issue, I now need ice packs just to play games. Could there be dust etc blocking the fans?
Should I take it apart to clean it? Or is this best left to a professional? Should I be getting my laptop cleaned every few years of use?
A laptop that sees moderate use should be cleaned every couple years if not yearly. If you are uncomfortable cleaning it yourself, take it to a local reputable computer repair shop or find a large chain which offers the service.