Taking a vacuum cleaner to a computer?

[Juked07]

A friend of mine who doesn't mess with hardware much surprised me when I asked her if she'd even opened her computer before (makes more sense in context). She said that she opened it every once in a while and vacuumed the dust using one of those little brush tube extensions on regular vacuum cleaners.

Is this a good idea?

 

[Magusigne]

Hrm... I don't think I would do THAT

However using canned air to dislodge the dust particles while using a vaccume extension to catch them in the air doesn't sound like a bad idea

 

[DarkRogue]

I like using a vacuum to clean the dust off my case - very quick and easy, especially useful for those filters.

As far as vacuuming the components inside... I'm not sure I'd ever go that far lol.
It would probably be fine though, just don't do it while the PC is running.

 

[BassBomb]

I do it all the time to my PC's: components, once every 4 months take t hem all out vaccum them individually and wipe what the vaccum can't reach

Obviously never do this with the power wire hooked or the PSU set to on

Done this since my XP2500+, A64 3200+, current C2D and various family pc's

 

[MichaelD]

Absolutely! I've been vacuuming PCs for 15 years now. I do quarterly maintenance on my own system at home and the vacuuming is the major part of that maintenance.

I use the little furniture brush with the soft bristles to get inside the vents on the case and to vacuum out the case insides. I hold the hose at the exhaust vent of the PS and blow thru the intake fan. You wouldn't believe the dust that comes out. :Q I do the same with videocards and CPU heatsinks. A quick vacuuming of the motheboard itself finishes it up.

Needless to say that GENTLE is the key word here. I barely make contact with any components even with the fuzzy brush.

Lots of folks will say "static this and that" but I've never had any problems.

The absolute BEST way to clean a PC is with compressed air...LOTS of it. I've used the compressor in the garage to blow air at about 15-20 PSI to clean everything...but that gets dust all over the place and requires a LOT of air. If using a can of compressed air, be prepared to use the whole can. Too expensive and dirty. Use the vacuum.

 

[corkyg]

The only hazard in vacuuming is the possibility of static electricity - however, that is neutralized if you use tools designed specifically for computer use. Been doing that since about 1989. No problems. I use these:

Tools

Compressed air is OK for some quickie things - but it is like sweeping dirt under the rug. It does not remove it - it blows it up to settle somewhere else.

Big stuff in the case can be wiped out nicely with a Swiffer cloth or something similar. Dust sticks to it. Better than blowing it around to resettle elsewhere or even in the same place.

 

[jgigz]

Originally posted by: corkyg
The only hazard in vacuuming is the possibility of static electricity - however, that is neutralized if you use tools designed specifically for computer use. Been doing that since about 1989. No problems. I use these:

Tools

Compressed air is OF for some quickie things - but it is like sweeping dirt under the rug. It does not remove it - it blows it up tyo settle somewhere else.

Big stuff in the case can be wiped out nicely with a Swiffer cloth or something similar. Dust sticks to it. Better than blowing it around to resettle elsewhere or even in the same place.

The computer hardware class I took in highschool (btw corky, you've been vacuuming computers as long as i have been alive) mentioned not to, due to what you said as far as static electricity goes. I've been hesitant to do so, which is really no big deal because I have an air compressor in the garage and I can just clean it there.

 

[nerp]

I wouldn't do this with an older 1970s era vacuums that slide along the carpet and might have a plastic tip on a dry day wearing socks, but I've run a vaccum through several PCs over the years with a gingerly approach. No problems to report.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Absolutely, been doing it forever with no problems.

As an alternative you can always put it in the washer on gently cycle then hang on a line to dry j/k

 

[aigomorla]

i believe AC vac causes static.

static kills motherboards processors and cpu.

static is bad even when your computer is off.


I would think twice before shoving a AC vac inside 1000 dollars + of hardware

 

[corkyg]

Like I said - use proper micro tools designed for the specific purpose so as to be non conductive of static electricity. Combine that with a good hand held/portable vacuum such as the little Oreck you get free when you buy the big Oreck.

Blowing dirt around in a room or a case really gets nowhere except to eventually settle right back down in the vicinity.

As for the gentle washer cycle - be sure and avoid spin drying.

 

[Blain]

I sometimes use a vac to get loose dust from the bottom of the case and maybe fan ports.
I'll also use the vac along with canned air to clean heatsink fins. The hose never touches the components, only there to collect blown out dust.
No matter how I use the vac, I always hold the side of the case at the same time.

 

[0roo0roo]

assuming she doesn't touch the boards its fine. static as said. best to use can of air in conjunction with the vac hose.

 

[Paperdoc]

I've vacuumed computers out many times. I'll use both the soft-bristle dusting brush and, for things it can't reach, the narrow crevice tool that concentates air flow in a smaller path. In addition, I'll also use a small artist's paint brush (or a Q-Tip swab) by hand to get into tight spaces to loosen dust, holding the vacuum close by to suck it away as it is shaken loose. I'm not shy about dismantling things, so I'll usually open the PSU and clean it out, too. However, I recognize that usually means breaking a seal and voiding the warranty.

I will note that I do not live in a very dry climate, so static charges are not usually a problem. However, I certainly would not do this in a carpeted room!

Three major rules:
ALWAYS disconnect the machine from power, and WAIT 10-15 minutes in case there are residual charges in capacitors before starting. I disconnect EVERYTHING so there's no chance of a circuit through some peripheral device.

GROUND YOURSELF FREQUENTLY, just as if you were doing any other work inside the case, to ensure you get rid of any static charge build-up.

BE GENTLE!

 

[Strych9]

Originally posted by: jgigz
I have an air compressor in the garage and I can just clean it there.

Be careful using an air compressor. There is a lot of moisture in the compressed air you're blowing onto your components.

 

[jgigz]

Originally posted by: Strych9

Originally posted by: jgigz
I have an air compressor in the garage and I can just clean it there.

Be careful using an air compressor. There is a lot of moisture in the compressed air you're blowing onto your components.

Thats always been a concern for me, and it seem to help if i let it run for a little while beforei actually use it, so far I haven't had any problems though, hopefully it can stay that way

 

[NoodleTech]

I vacuumed my friend's computer and it would not boot after that. Had to replace the motherboard which apparently shorted out.

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: NoodleTech
I vacuumed my friend's computer and it would not boot after that. Had to replace the motherboard which apparently shorted out.

Aha! We have a bad anecdote.

Be warned for the possiblity, is the lesson I take from this.

Any circumstances you can indicate? Was the machine plugged in? Any other factors? Or just random?

 

[Schadenfroh]

I use a shop vac on PCs whenever I need to do a major cleaning. The only time it did not work well was when I tried to clean my grandparent's PC. They deep fry so much food in the kitchen that is about 15 feet away from the office that the dust somehow binded with a grease like substance and congealed onto the PC.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
. . . the dust somehow binded with a grease like substance and congealed onto the PC.

Bring on the vapor degreaser!

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

My dad gave me a shop vac that I took the "container" off of and reversed the air flow. I blow it out at least once a month, if not more (live in the desert) SO FAR, I have not done anything bad to it, and a whole lot cheaper than canned air!

 

[sswingle]

I love holding the vacuum hose up to a fan and it makes the fan spin like crazy.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: DarkRogue
I like using a vacuum to clean the dust off my case - very quick and easy, especially useful for those filters.

As far as vacuuming the components inside... I'm not sure I'd ever go that far lol.
It would probably be fine though, just don't do it while the PC is running.[/q]---your not suppose to vaccum the PC while it`s running??? Opps

 

[Dman877]

Someone mentioned swiffer dusters. IIRC, swiffers work so well because they are statically charged. You do not want that near electronics.

 

[tcsenter]

Yes, vacuum motors can increase risk of ESD near or around the motor. However, the real risk at the end of the vacuum hose or attachment is from the movement of air and particulate matter against and/or through the plastic tubing, or friction between the attachment end and components.

That said, and in spite of this, I do it all the time and have for years now. I manage the excess hosing with one hand so that it isn't rubbing back and forth against the floor or the PC case, I keep part of my forearm in contact with a metal part of the chassis the entire time, and touch the end of the attachment to metal parts of the chassis a few times before making contact with any components (usually by vacuuming the inside of the chassis itself first).

So far so good after at least a hundred computers. I don't believe this perfect streak will last forever, though. As long as it is limited to one errant event out of every hundred or more times, that is probably no worse than any other method of cleaning that is equally effective. The money that I save in compressed air canisters will pay for that very infrequent motherboard or graphics card that might get zapped. YMMV.