Should I clean the thermal on the edge of the socket

[Aamar]

Hi all

I'm changing my cpu fan and I've noticed there some thermal paste near the socket should I clean or is it too close to the pins and I should leave ot alone

[xeromist]

Use a small instrument like a toothpick to push it away from the pins then clean it with a swab or something.

[Aamar]

I've done exactly that I've manged to push away and re inserted the cpu and swabbed it all off.

Thank you for your help