Welcome to Just Ask Matt! - The IT industry’s answer to the help column, only slightly more medicated. Today, Tom writes:

Matt, I am desperately trying to figure out whether or not I should use a can of compressed air or just vacuum out all of the dust in my computer. I have been all over the Web and everywhere I go I get a different answer. It feels like no one is really all that sure or something. Can you help me out, please?

Well Tom, the thing is, much like the anti-static armband, much of this answer is opinion. With that in mind, let’s just start out with facts, shall we? First off, a traditional vacuum can in many cases, give off a fair amount of static electricity. As you might guess, this is a bad thing. Now with a can of compressed air however, you are dealing with a completely different situation altogether.

Compressed air can quite easily end up spraying liquid into your PC without you even knowing it. Most people who use these cans just spray blindly into their machines without a single care in the world. The fact is that you must be sure to hold the can straight up and down. Never shake it or hold it at slanted angles. To do this is inviting trouble as liquid could come gushing up through the nozzle.

If using a vacuum is your ‘bag,’ so to speak, then consider a non-static ‘Tech-Vac’ that allows you to safely remove dust and junk without shocking any potentially important sensitive hardware. No matter the choice, always be careful of static electricity and spraying liquid. Hope this helps you to come up with your own preference. :o)

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