Cleaning circuits

< A few questions about clean(ing) circuits: < a)Can dust cause any damage to a PCB? Can it short anything? Yes, it can be conductive, block cooling and host molds and fungi. < b)What do you recommend for cleaning out PCBs if there's lot of it, < or spiderwebs, mold whatever? Vacuum with a conductive (carbon/plastic fiber) brush. < c)Does distilled water cause rust? Rust is the product of oxidation. Air is the culprit. Water _may_ instigate electrolisys if not fully dried and power is appiled. < d)Can distilled water be used to clean circuits? Yes. < e)As I understand, tap/spring/rain/etc. water is full of minerals < and that's why it's conductive as well as rust-causing Not enough to be a significant problem if it's dried. I have been known to put grungy boards in the dishwasher. Works very well. The board must be completely dried (160-180F overn works well). < f)A while ago, I picked up a bunch of 5.25" diskettes, which I hardly < allowed to dry before I put them into the plastic box. Now I < looked inside, and mold is spreading from the Microsoft Assembler < diskettes onto the Apple II ones. What is safe to use to clean < the mold (it's reeely disgusting!)? Dish soap and water. Allison