Method of cleaning turbine component using laser shock peening

The present invention relates generally to a method of cleaning turbine engine components using laser shock peening. The present invention particularly relates to the use of laser shock peening to remove a crust-like debris that buildups on the surface of the internal cooling cavity of an airfoil such as a turbine blade or vane. A method of cleaning airfoils and related turbine engine components that have a crust-like debris deposited on the surface thereof. This method involves subjecting at least the portion of the component having the deposit of the crust-like debris to sufficient laser shock peening to cause the debris on the surface thereof to be loosened therefrom so that the loosened debris can be removed from the component. This loosened debris can then be removed from the component, such as by passing a cleaning fluid through the portion of the component that is subjected to the laser shock peening.