Question Should I use a usb vaccum cleaner on my components?

[Waster-]

Recently I bought a mini usb vaccum cleaner and I found out that some people use it to deep clean the dust on components such as the surface of the motherboard and gpu. It comes with a brush nozzle that looks a lot like the anti-static brushes I have around.

I'm thinking about giving it a try to see if it really works as good as it seems, but I'm a bit concerned about static and other stuff that could ruin my components.

What do you guys think about this? Is this safe to do?

 

[Ralston18]

I would not use the vacuum inside a computer. Or use a computer's USB port to power the vacuum.

Static could be a problem but there is a greater chance, I think, of a slip or bump that could cause physical damage.

Especially if the vacuum cleaner is actually strong enough to remove bound dust and debris.

Plus using a USB port means that the computer must be on while being cleaned. Not recommended. You could power the vacuum from some other USB source but again that is problematic - the source may not be able to provide enough power. Exception being an independently powered USB hub with nothing else but the vacuum connected. Or a vacuum that happens to come with its own outlet - USB plug.

My suggestion is to use compressed air and carefully follow the cleaning instructions.

 

[hotaru.hino]

Unless it's specifically advertised as anti-static, don't use the brush on them.

If anything, it's better to have air blow onto the components and have a vacuum or air purifier nearby to suck up the dusty air if you're not doing this outside.

 

[Waster-]

The vaccum itself is actually not strong, its made for cleaning small and sensitive stuff, and it also has a battery so I don't need to have it plugged while working. I'm worried about building too much static though