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Ask HN: Best substitute for compressed air can?

2 points by dieselgate ↗ HN
So I've been trying to keep my keyboard and workstation clean on a regular basis recently. Purchased a single can of compressed air for about $12 or something and it lasted maybe a week/two of dusting a keyboard like every other day. Not very long or at least not as long as was expected.

I don't have an air compressor (and that's also overkill for my needs) but are there alternatives to compressed air in a can? Am just looking to blow off dog hair and dust that settles on a computer etc.

7 comments

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meristohm
I use a "booger blower", a plastic bulb like a raindrop, with a hole at the narrow end- can find them in the infant section of a department store. I also use a film camera brush + squeeze bulb, and a shaggy terrycloth rag.
dieselgate
Good ideas, thanks for the suggestion. I didn't specify but a manual device would be best
PaulHoule
I have something like this for cleaning the sensor of my camera, my take though is that it is nowhere near as effective as an F-gas blower,

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-8-oz-cleaning-dusters-...

I think the stuff in those cans has a cleaning effect that plain air doesn't have. Current formulations aren't dangerous for the ozone layer but have a global warming effect much stronger than CO2 by wait

darkclouds
Plastic keyboard covers are useful for keeping dirt off a keyboard and they can be easily washed. Or get a keyboard that you can take apart and wash the keys.

If you are dusting your keyboard every couple of days, perhaps you need some air filters for your room as thats alot of dust to have build up in a couple of days.

dieselgate
yeah fair enough. am just trying to be super diligent with the cleanliness since investing in a kinesis product
Finnucane
I’m now running a small air purifier in my home office. This has helped some, but it’s not a perfect solution.