2014 Camry LE 2.5L 4-cyl
When changing the engine air filter I know to vacuum out the compartment. Should I also wipe out the compartment after vacuuming? If so, only dry wipe? Or damp wipe then leave open long enough for all possible moisture to totally evaporate before inserting the new clean filter and buttoning up the compartment?
Marnet
I just vacuum out any debris.
Tester
I would say vacuuming to get rid of any loose debris is sufficient.
Marnet
Your idea with a damp wipe is very fine and you don’t have to wait for the moisture evaporate. The engine knows how to handle humid air.
I compliment You for taking such good care for Your car.
Thank you for the answers. 
The main thing is to look for evidence that the sealing surfaces between the filter and its housing are intact and making a good seal. Also any downstream boots and connections need to be free of leaks that can draw in unfiltered air.
@anon86613489 Thank you for your compliment. I’ve learned so much about doing proactive care of my car from years of hanging out on the forum, reading, asking questions.
That secures Your car a long and lasting life and I hope You’ll continue to come back and ask.
Best regards
Asterix
@shanonia Uhm, the downstream stuff is way beyond me. I’m not at all a DIY, just an older woman with no mechanical aptitude beyond keeping tires aired, oil checked, change wiper blades, change the cabin air filter. Now I thought to change the engine air filter myself.
It’s likely all the connections between the air filter housing and the intake manifold are just fine. You’re doing the right thing to be thoughtful and careful about your work.
Look at the air flow like a creek. It should flow in only one direction, Intake toward the engine and exhaust away from the engine. Any thing in the “creek”(ie, air filter, catalytic converter, muffler etc.) would be mid stream, before that would be upstream of, and after that would be down stream. Its easier for me to visualize like that .
Vacuuming is OK, so is wiping with a dry or damp cloth. But do NOT blow out with compressed air, that could blow debris down into the intake, the stuff your filter is designed to keep out. It would be better to do nothing but replace the element than to blow the compartment out with compressed air.
BTW damp would be better than dry as a dry cloth may also allow some debris into the downstream ducts, not as bad as compressed air but some none the less. Swifter would be good for a dry alternative.