How to Thoroughly Clean a Dirty Keyboard

Who among us hasn’t sat down at our computer and pounded away on the keys with dirty fingers or hands, or eaten while using the computer and accidentally dropped a crumb into the keyboard or, worse yet, spilled your plate of food or beverage all over it!

Even when you are not at your computer, your keyboard collects dust just like any other open surface in your home or office. And people who smoke often have smoke residue accumulated on and underneath the keys.

Now here’s a scary thought: Some keyboards can be dirtier than an average toilet seat. That was the conclusion of a 2008 study by the U.K.'s Royal Society of Chemistry, which pointed out that a dirty keyboard can be a breeding ground for germs that cause health problems.

Fortunately, it’s easy to thoroughly clean your dirty desktop keyboard using one of the methods below, based on how dirty it is. However, it’s best to have laptop keyboards cleaned by an expert.

Steps to Clean a Desktop Keyboard

A- Basic cleaning method

Things you’ll need:

• Some old newspapers
• A soft-bristled dusting brush
• Few cotton swabs and toothpicks
• A lint-free cloth and a soft dusting cloth
• A tweezer
• A thin, flat tool like a butter knife or waxing knife
• A bottle of isopropyl rubbing alcohol (do not use ethyl-based rubbing alcohol)

Step 1. Shut down the computer

Before you start cleaning, shut down your computer.

Unplug the keyboard. This prevents the possibility of electrical damage to your keyboard and electrical shock to yourself.

Step 2. Turn the keyboard upside down and tap

Cover your desk or tabletop with an old newspaper to collect all the debris from the cleaning process. Then, turn the keyboard upside down and tap it gently with your hand.

Tapping the keyboard will help release any loose debris and crumbs.

Step 3. Use a brush to remove dust on the surface of the keyboard

Use a soft-bristled brush to remove dust accumulated on the top surface of your keyboard.

Step 4. Dip a brush in rubbing alcohol and wipe the keys

Pour a little isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) in a bowl.

Dip the brush in the bowl.

Gently wipe the keys as well as the sides and bottom of the keyboard.

Step 5. Clean between the keys using a cotton swab

To clean between the keys, dip a cotton swab in the rubbing alcohol and gently glide it in between the keys.

If the swab gets dirty before you’re done, grab a clean one to finish up.

Step 6. Use a waxing knife to deep clean between the keys

Wrap the lint-free cloth on the waxing knife, dip it in the rubbing alcohol and use it to clean any areas that could not be reached with the brush or cotton swabs.

Step 7. Use a toothpick to clean the buttons

To clean the dust accumulated on the outline of the buttons, use a toothpick or tweezers.

Step 8. Clean the keyboard with a dry cloth

Finally, clean the whole keyboard with a dry dusting cloth. Do not plug in the keyboard for a few hours.

B - Extensive cleaning method

If your keyboard is very dirty, you’ll need to clean it extensively.

Things you’ll need:

• Some old newspapers
• A flat-head screwdriver or knife to remove the keys
• Two bowls of water (one for mixing liquid detergent and the other one for cleaning the soapy residue)
• Few drops of mild liquid detergent
• A soft-bristled toothbrush
• Dusting brush
• A small, hand-held vacuum cleaner
• A dusting cloth and lint-free cloth
• A few cotton swabs and toothpicks
• A bottle of isopropyl rubbing alcohol (do not use ethyl-based rubbing alcohol)

Step 1. Remove the keycaps using a knife

Using a flat-head screwdriver or knife, gently remove the individual keycaps off.

Step 2. Prepare a liquid soap solution

Mix a few drops of mild liquid detergent in a bowl of lukewarm water.

Thoroughly mix the water and detergent solution together.

Step 3. Put the keycaps in the solution and clean them

Put the dirty keycaps in this solution.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean each one. Do it gently so that you don’t rub off the letters on the keycaps.

Step 4. Rinse the keycaps in clean water

Rinse the keycaps in clean water to remove the soapy residue.

Step 5. Pat dry the keys with a dry towel

Pat dry the clean keys with a towel.

Place them in a sunny place to dry completely.

Step 6. Turn the keyboard upside down and tap it gently

Clean the rest of the keyboard while the keycaps are drying. With the keys removed, you should have better access to the area underneath.

Turn the keyboard upside down and tap it gently to remove loose debris and crumbs.

Step 7. Blow out loose dust

You can also thoroughly blow out the keyboard with a gentle vacuum cleaner.

Use a soft-bristled brush to remove the dirt from the surface.

Step 8. Wipe the keyboard with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol

Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol.

Use it to wipe off the surfaces of the inside of the keyboard, including the sides, corners, bottom and top.

Step 9. Clean the keyboard using a flat-head screwdriver

Wrap a lint-free cloth over your flat-head screwdriver.

Dip it in rubbing alcohol.

Use it to clean the sides and bottom of the keyboard.

Step 10. Reassemble the keyboard and plug it back to the computer

After the keycaps and keyboard are completely dry, reassemble the board and plug it back into your computer. The keys will snap back on their respective slots easily with a small amount of pressure. Test all the keys when finished to be sure they are working well.

Additional Tips

• Before cleaning your keyboard, read your computer’s user manual thoroughly for any specific instructions.
• Take a picture of the keyboard before pulling off the keycaps to make it easier for you to put them back in the right place.
• If the long keycaps, such as the spacebar, shift and enter keys, do not come out easily, just leave them in place.
• Do not use paper towels or tissues, as they contain wool fibers that may get stuck on the surface.
• Avoid touching your keyboard with smudgy fingers.
• Never put a keyboard in a dishwasher to clean it, and never submerge a keyboard in water.
• To prevent your keyboard from getting dirty, use a keyboard cover that is designed to fit snugly over the keys.
• When not in use, cover your keyboard with an old newspaper and plastic sheet.
• Do not eat or drink in front of your keyboard to prevent food and liquids from falling into the cracks.

Resources

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/