Best vacuum for cleaning laptop?

[donline]

Hi folks, I was wondering if you can recommend a vacuum for cleaning my laptop?

I've previously bought a cheap (£1) USB mini-vacuum and it was useless, so I'm looking for something more powerful/effective. It would also be great to find a duster (that sprays air out).

I found the following so far but didn't know if they are any good:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ITdusters-com-EGP-COM-011-CompuCleaner-Electric-Duster/dp/B00S7CH6FK/ref=sr_1_1?s=officeproduct&ie=UTF8&qid=1463945855&sr=1-1&keywords=datavac

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ecommercia-ProsKit-Portable-Keyboard-Cleaning/dp/B0199TTOXG/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1463944995&sr=8-9&keywords=laptop+vacuum

Any recommendations would be much appreciated (btw - I prefer not to use the spray air dusters/cans).

Thanks!

 

[Grugbug]

I use a toothbrush/ paintbrush for dusting while I hover my home vacuum-cleaner nozzle over the area.

 

[Sylvvester]

Try compressed air. It's cheap and should do the job right in most cases.

 

[donline]

Try compressed air. It's cheap and should do the job right in most cases.

Thanks but I prefer not to use compressed air, would prefer some sort of vacuum.

 

[donline]

I use a toothbrush/ paintbrush for dusting while I hover my home vacuum-cleaner nozzle over the area.

Thanks, sounds interesting. Is it safe to use a conventional/home vacuum-cleaner around computer equipment?

 

[Xuebao61]

No, you are supposed to use an anti static vacuum. But if people have had successful endeavours with home ones, I wouldn't do it myself, but if it sounds good to you, go ahead.

 

[donline]

No, you are supposed to use an anti static vacuum. But if people have had successful endeavours with home ones, I wouldn't do it myself, but if it sounds good to you, go ahead.

Thanks Xuebao61

Nope, doesn't sound like a good idea to me using a home vacuum.

Any good anti-static computer vacuums you can recommend?

 

[Xuebao61]

I just use canned air, so unfortunately, no. Sorry about that.

 

[mjslakeridge]

I use a Shop Vac to clean out my desktops. Some, but not all of the smaller models allow you to insert the hose into the exhaust port so that you are blowing air out, rather than sucking air in, which is the normal mode. Just make sure there is no liquid left in the hose or foam filter of the Shop Vac (I had this happen once, and a fine mist was sprayed into the computer). Of course I had the PC powered off when cleaning, so I just left it to dry and no damage was done.

I am not sure how effective this method would work with a laptop.

 

[donline]

I use a Shop Vac to clean out my desktops. Some, but not all of the smaller models allow you to insert the hose into the exhaust port so that you are blowing air out, rather than sucking air in, which is the normal mode. Just make sure there is no liquid left in the hose or foam filter of the Shop Vac (I had this happen once, and a fine mist was sprayed into the computer). Of course I had the PC powered off when cleaning, so I just left it to dry and no damage was done.

I am not sure how effective this method would work with a laptop.

Thanks mjslakeridge

Shop Vac is new to me... but looks like a portable mini vacuum cleaner.

Yea, I'm not sure what's best to use with a laptop and whether you can just clean fine externally.

 

[mjslakeridge]

This is the small Shop Vac that I have:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/152095209748?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

They can be used to pick up liquids, or dry items like sawdust in the workshop.

 

[donline]

This is the small Shop Vac that I have:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/152095209748?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

They can be used to pick up liquids, or dry items like sawdust in the workshop.

Thanks mjslakeridge

And do you think that would be safe to use externally on a laptop (around the keyboard)?

 

[Grugbug]

I've been in the PC field since the mid 70s, I have always used the nozzle of my home vacuum hovering over my components while using a toothbrush/ paintbrush as a duster. I've never had a problem or neither have the others I know that use the same method.

 

[donline]

I've been in the PC field since the mid 70s, I have always used the nozzle of my home vacuum hovering over my components while using a toothbrush/ paintbrush as a duster. I've never had a problem or neither have the others I know that use the same method.

That's great to know, thanks Grugbug!

What do you use for more stubborn stains/dirt, and what do you think about methods that blow air towards the laptop/computer components?

 

[Grugbug]

I think using compressed air on certain components just drives dust deeper into the device, especially keyboards.
For tough stains I use a Q-tip and some alcohol. Alcohol on the corner of a paper towel ribbed with a toothpick also works rather well.

 

[donline]

I think using compressed air on certain components just drives dust deeper into the device, especially keyboards.
For tough stains I use a Q-tip and some alcohol. Alcohol on the corner of a paper towel ribbed with a toothpick also works rather well.

Thanks Grugbug, I like the idea of the Q-tip.

Anything you could use instead of alcohol?

 

[Kathy110]

I used to clean my laptop with the shutter blind tool ( https://www.the-vacmaster.ca/shutter-blind-tool/ ) which I purchased online. At first I was not sure whether I could use it to clean my laptop. But once I used it, I was really satisfied with its cleaning capability. It sucks up the dust within seconds and they are light weight.

 

[donline]

I used to clean my laptop with the shutter blind tool ( https://www.the-vacmaster.ca/shutter-blind-tool/ ) which I purchased online. At first I was not sure whether I could use it to clean my laptop. But once I used it, I was really satisfied with its cleaning capability. It sucks up the dust within seconds and they are light weight.

Thanks Kathy110

Looks like a really nice product! I wonder if you can get this product (or similar) here in Europe...

 

[orlbuckeye]

Alot of people that work on PC's recommend compressed air like once a month in vents and open up and use on fans.

 

[donline]

Alot of people that work on PC's recommend compressed air like once a month in vents and open up and use on fans.

Thanks orlbuckeye! Have a nice weekend

 

[edwardmorrison]

I have done that several times with a 1500 W vacuum cleaner and several Dell Precision and Latitude laptops. Note that these Laptops ar blowing out air from the fan through a filter to the outside. Some others may suck the air in through that filter.

BUT: First make sure that the small fan gets only a fraction of the full suction power, it is not as robust as a normal, big desktop cpu fan. So, if you come near with the vc tube to the laptop fan, give it only a very short time, then hold it off.

NEVER put it directly onto the fan for longer than a short fraction of a second! You will see, when the fan begins to rotate fast. Try to hinder it, if possible, with a match or a needle (don't loose that into the laptop's body).

If your vc allows power justification, use the lowest possible setting. The most efficient way, although, is to clean the fan with a little brush, then use a small vc (for the kitchen, f.i.) to clean the fan's surroundings, if you don't get it out.

ANOTHER BUT: From my experience, the most blocking dust is placed in the filter, not in the fan. So you also can try to suck out the air from the inner side of the filter with the vc, if reachable. Try to block the fan from beginning to rotate, while doing this.

To clean the filter from the outside, I had several times to "bite the dust", i.e. blow air from my lungs, which is much stronger than most cans you can buy, directly from the outside of the filter to the inside (with opened Laptop-casing). I put my lips around the filter output.... Urgh!

With some coughing later, I have to add. And do it near a window or outside, because there can come out a lot....

You can try this "natural" method, of course, with the fan, too, but be careful not to spit on the surrounding electronics.

 

[maliktamoor884]

I will recommend you to use a vacuum cleaner that consumes less energy and generates less power. This type of vacuum cleaner can vacuum your PC without getting the components of PC damaged.

 

[jhonnikolson]

i have also bought new vacuumm recently, it is amazing.

 

[jhonnikolson]

i have also bought new vacuumm recently, it is amazing.

That vacuum is Roomba 690

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Closing thread as it's already been marked as "Solved", yet still the conversation continues. Getting ridiculous.