A method for cleaning a surface of a component includes placing a volume of a cleaning agent onto the surface of the component. The method further includes performing a repair operation of the component either before or after placing the volume of the cleaning agent. The repair operation results in a generation of contaminant particles. Upon contact of the cleaning agent with the contaminant particles, the cleaning agent absorbs the contaminant particles by adhesion. The method further includes removing the cleaning agent from the surface of the component after the contaminant particles are absorbed by the cleaning agent.