Are cotton buds safe to use?

[PCgeezer96]

Should I use cotton buds to clean the inside of my PC? I was wondering because I have heard that compressed air cans have been known to sometimes spray liquid if not used correctly, damaging the components.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

[Eureka]

Compressed air cans will liquefy if you spray it upside down. It shouldn't hurt the components, short of the extra cold temperature when it's freezing.

I would say compressed air is safer than cotton buds, mainly because there's no physical contact and there isn't a chance of you leaving any bit behind. Cotton, AFAIK, isn't conductive and doesn't generate static, so you should be electrically safe using it.

 

[TheStu]

I always just use canned air.

 

[PCgeezer96]

Thanks ill try with the cotton buds carefully making sure not to get any of it caught my main concern with using it was if it would generate static so thanks for clearing that up and if the buds don't get enough dust off ill buy a can.

 

[kschaffner]

Air compressor is where it's at just make sure there isn't any water in the tank before using it.

 

[TheStu]

Air compressor is where it's at just make sure there isn't any water in the tank before using it.

You can get those things that sit between the tank and line to absorb any water.

Of course, an air compressor is a big initial investment, and a big physical thing. A can of air is neither of those things

 

[dma0991]

It will just be a waste to use cotton buds as they get shredded when it snags with something like the soldered ends of the PCB. Compressed air cans do not spray water, it is just liquified air which should evaporate instantly on contact with the surface.

Spraying over the surface for a long period could potentially cause condensation to form but as long as your system is not powered up, it should be fine. You can literally submerge these components in water and use them afterwards as long as they are completely dry(may take weeks, months).

As for me, I just use a mini brush with a damp cloth. Something like a painter's brush but I'd usually get those with synthetic bristles instead of animal hair bristles.

 

[gpse]

I use a vacuum cleaner with a soft bristle attachment to clean the dust, haven't had an issue in the 15 years or so I've been doing it.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Keep the can upright and the liquid will stay where it should.

Remember that this stuff, despite the common name, is not air.

 

[Schmide]

I use a vacuum cleaner with a soft bristle attachment to clean the dust, haven't had an issue in the 15 years or so I've been doing it.

Me too. Except its more like 30 years for me.

 

[wansurfer]

Me too. Except its more like 30 years for me.

I've always been told to never use a vacuum cleaner because the moving parts in a vacuum can actually generate static electricity. Colliding particles as they are being sucked up can do the same. Though, apparently you two don't have that problem with your vacuums.

I've heard stories about people who used an air compressor to blow the dust out of their computer's case and the extreme force of the air dislodged components from the motherboard.

 

[TheStu]

I've always been told to never use a vacuum cleaner because the moving parts in a vacuum can actually generate static electricity. Colliding particles as they are being sucked up can do the same. Though, apparently you two don't have that problem with your vacuums.

I've heard stories about people who used an air compressor to blow the dust out of their computer's case and the extreme force of the air dislodged components from the motherboard.

Well, you can dial down the PSI on an air compressor.

 

[aigomorla]

no u can not use an air compressor cuz it compresses atmosphere air, and also compresses the moisture.

You can potentially spray water at your components if not done properly.

The compressed gas cans are different... those are compressed co2, typically... not regular air.

 

[TheStu]

no u can not use an air compressor cuz it compresses atmosphere air, and also compresses the moisture.

You can potentially spray water at your components if not done properly.

The compressed gas cans are different... those are compressed co2, typically... not regular air.

You can hook up a dehydrator thingy to the air compressor, it sits right between the tank and the line.

I'm not necessarily advocating the use of an air compressor, it is big, loud, expensive and unnecessary for the home user that isn't brad nailing together wood. But, if you happen to have one, there are ways to make it work.