Hell yea! Gotta go big to get a real effect. Put the filters in rooms that are 1/2 or less the rates size .

I have Honeywell filters in each bedroom . So much less dust. the pre filters catch most of the dust and they can be cleaned and reused.

By all means try a tooth pick and pure alcohol, if that doesn’t work a professional might get you set straight.

Repair shops can do a better job cleaning than a home option. I had a data and charge problem, bought a kit and tried 3x times; it didn’t work . Bought new cables just in case that was the issue. Brought it in for repair fully expecting to pay for a port repair. Repair shop did a through cleaning charged me $15 and sent me on my way with everything working.