The reason you would want to use a registry cleaner is for invalid shortcuts and dead or corrupted scripts left inside your registry.
Most programs made for use in Window is suppose to get all of this out when deleted, sadly this isn't always the case.
There are 1 or 2 out there that can help the casual PC enthusiast with a one button feature, but most of these programs are for use with advanced users.
Before using any registry cleaner you should back-up your current registry by typing into the command prompt regedit. For full instructions look into Windows Help under "backing up the registry.".
I require my PC to run at it's most optimum so I do employ a registry cleaner, but be warned! I am a very advanced user and I can dig myself out of any OS problem, the same may not be said for most users and you are looking for trouble if you attempt to deal with your own registry!
Avoid questionable software, software that offers deals and toolbars is in my book loaded with spyware and junk that will only clog up your registry and cause you PC to run slow at startup or just plain run like your old PC running Windows 98.
There's a paradox at work here--registry cleaners should be used only by advanced users, but advanced users are the ones who should know that registry cleaners are unnecessary. You say that you use a registry cleaner because you ".,,require [your] PC to run at it's most optimum..." but there is simply no objective evidence that registry cleaners will help in that regard. An "advanced" user will know how to use regedit to find and remove keys that are causing issues, and the main issues caused have nothing to do with PC performance in general. Some programs, once installed and uninstalled, will leave information behind in the registry that makes a re-installation difficult or impossible. Norton and McAfee antivirus products are notorious for this, but they provide removal tools so that even using regedit isn't necessary in most cases.