I used CCleaner a couple of years ago, once, on a "try it and you'll like it" offer.
It removed a lot of stuff that was needed. It took me a while to restore. I don't let it near the computer since that episode.
When my hard drive was getting a bit full, I bought a bigger one.
I clear out individual bits - temporary files directories and such. I empty the recycle bin every month or so. I've not had any problems that way.