I have a friend who's husband is a dentist...and was able from her to purchase a package of dental swabs...they are like q-tips but more solid, and have a longer wooden handle and I can really get in and get out the lint.
I do also have the vaccuum attachments and once in a while will use that to try to reach lint that even the swab can't reach.
I too was told to NEVER use canned air in my machine by my dealer.
Kim