Yes, they can. Dust accumulation over time on certain electronic parts (such as the CPU) can gradually hamper their expected performance. Make sure you’re cleaning your hardware parts every once in a while.
You can clean your CPU with a clean piece of cloth or cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol. Cleaning should include the CPU socket, its surrounding area, and fresh thermal paste. However, the whole process should be handled with extreme care and delicacy. If you've never done this before, you may want to consider employing the services of an expert to minimize risks.