Can you use compressed air to clean the vents?

[Squirrelflight]

My macbook runs fine, but I have noticed it overheats sometimes, and when I looked at the back vents closely with a flashlight I noticed there was a little piece of tissue or something stuck in there and dust. Is it safe to do it with your computer shut off and spray a little air into the vents at the back of the computer? I hear mixed stuff about this, although a guy at Futureshop told me you can just use compressed air to clean out the vents. I don't want to take apart the whole comp to clean the fan, I'd just like to clean the vents.

Safe or should I not do it?

 

[Comeagain?]

You can use compressed air, but I prefer to use a vacuum instead, so you aren't blowing crud farther into the device. But either work just fine.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

While that works, opening the bottom lid to actually blow the dirt outside instead of blowing it further inside will be the better solution.
Depending on which MacBook you have, it is quite easy to open the lid with the appropriate screwdriver.

 

[Squirrelflight]

I have a macbook pro 13inch laptop. I read that a vacuum can actually be bad sometimes, I guess it depends. I could always blow to the side, to try and push it all out because I don't want to push it further in. I don't have confidence in myself enough to unscrew it, I've watched vids and it looks tough to me. But it costs like 100 dollars to get it done professionally. xD But my fan isn't bad yet, so it's just the vents that need cleaning

 

[simsaladimbamba]

I have a macbook pro 13inch laptop. I read that a vacuum can actually be bad sometimes, I guess it depends. I could always blow to the side, to try and push it all out because I don't want to push it further in. I don't have confidence in myself enough to unscrew it, I've watched vids and it looks tough to me. But it costs like 100 dollars to get it done professionally. xD But my fan isn't bad yet, so it's just the vents that need cleaning

As you have a 13" MacBook Pro unscrewing the bottom plate is quite easy with a Philips screwdriver.
Just follow step 1 to unscrew 10 screws (not worth 100 USD) and blow out the dust. Unless you are really incapable of operating a screwdriver, it is easy as pie (Far Breton or similar).