To enhance keyboards’ performance and life span, you must know how to clean your keyboard.
You may have faced sticky keys. It happens as it accumulates dust, grim gems, and other sticky material when you use it daily. This leads to the keyboard malfunctioning.
In this keyboard cleaning guide, you will learn how to clean your keyboard superficially and deeply.
Why Cleaning Your Keyboard Matters
A clean keyboard adds beauty to your computer setup. Regular cleaning of the keyboard not only helps it look good but also helps it perform better and smother.
If you do not clean the keyboard regularly, keys become unresponsive. Bacteria buildup also increases due to lack of cleaning. This risk manifolds when you eat at your desk.
Just cleaning the keyboard regularly helps to enhance your typing experience and saves you from any possible health hazards.
Essential Supplies for Keyboard Cleaning
Before you start, gather the following supplies:
Basic Cleaning Tools:
– Soft brush
– Microfiber cloth
– Compressed air canister
Related Reading: How to Clean Your Mouse Pad?
Optional Deep Cleaning Tools:
– Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher)
– Cotton swabs
– Small, soft-bristled brush
Preparing Your Keyboard for Cleaning
Preparation is key. Follow these steps to ensure a safe and effective cleaning process:
1. Power Down Your Computer: Turn off your computer to prevent accidental key presses and potential damage.
2. Disconnect the Keyboard: Unplug the keyboard if it’s wired. For wireless keyboards, remove the batteries.
3. Position the Keyboard: Place the keyboard on a clean surface where you can easily access all areas.
Initial Dusting and Debris Removal
Start with the basics.
Use of Compressed Air:
Compressed air is the best option for removing loose dirt from the keyboard. Just hold the keyboard upside down and blow the air between the keys.
You can move the air pipe to cover the entire keyboard area for better cleaning. This will help clean the keyboard and remove loose dirt and dust.
Shake the keyboard:
After using the compressed air, there is a possibility that some dirt may remain between the keys of the board.
You have to dislodge this dirt by tapping on the back side of the keyboard to get rid of it. You may once again use the compressed air to clean the keyboard.
Deep Cleaning of the Keycaps
For deep cleaning of the keyboard, removing the keycaps is recommended.
Remove the keycaps: you must gently lift them using a keycap puller to remove them. Please be careful not to damage important key features underneath the caps.
Clean keycaps: To clean the Keycaps, you must drink isopropyl alcohol and mild soap.
Isopropyl alcohol: isopropyl alcohol helps to eliminate germs and other microorganisms. Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with isopropyl alcohol to wipe down all keycaps.
Mild Soapy water: if you find some stubborn grime, you have to soak the keycaps in mild Soapy hie solution for a while.
After a few minutes, using a brush, Scrub the caps thoroughly. Then rinse them with clean water. Be aware that before attaching keycaps, dry them completely.
Surface Cleaning of The Keyboard
You will get some time until the keycaps are drying. Utilize this time to clean the keyboard surface.
Wiping Down the Keyboard’s Surface:
Use an isopropyl alcohol microfiber to wipe out the keyboard surface. You can also use a mild cleaner instead of isopropyl alcohol.
Detail Cleaning:
Wiping with microfiber cloth may not be effective as some hard-to-reach areas may not be covered. To clean These areas, use a cotton swap and clean around the keys.
Optional Deep Cleaning of the Keyboard.
This cleaning step is for those who want to go for keyboard cleanliness.
Disassemble the keyboard: To clean it, open it from the backside. Remove the scuse of the keyboard carefully. Then, the top part of the board was left to reveal internal components.
Cleaning of the internal components of the keyboard:
Dust removal: You can use compressed air or a tiny soft bristle brush to clean the dust. Gently remove all the dust and find the internal part of the keyboard.
Inspection: After cleaning the keyboard from the inside, inspect it for any physical damage or other visible issues.
Reassembling of the keyboard: once you have satisfied that the keyboard is clean and dry everywhere, reassemble it judiciously.
Re-attaching and Final Testing of the Keyboard
After you clean the keyboard and free-assemble it properly, follow the following steps:
Attach all the keycaps properly in their respective place.
Now reconnect the keyboard and insert the batteries if any
Finally, turn on the computer and test each key for proper functionality.
Preventive Measures for Future Maintenance
To keep the keyboard working longer
It would help if you did regular testing using the compressed here to blow the dust after regular intervals, like a few weeks. Before using the keyboard, you must follow and practice proper hygiene. Clean and wash your hands regularly to reduce the deposition of Dirt and green on the keyboard.
Conclusion:
By following these steps, you can clean your keyboard properly. To maintain the long-term personality of the keyboard and a computer, it is essential to maintain a clean and neat keyboard. Regular keyboard cleaning will also help you have a better typing experience. It will also reduce the cost of maintenance or purchasing the keyboard.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How open should I clean my keyboard?
It would help if you cleaned your keyboard after a few weeks. you can also clean the keyboard whenever you notice a buildup of grim or any other spots on the keyboard
Can I use any cleaning solution for my keyboard?
Isopropyl alcohol and mild, Soapy water are recommended to clean the keyboard. You must avoid strong chemicals when cleaning the keyboard as they may damage it.
What should I do if my keyboard stops working after cleaning?
Ensure that all the connections are properly placed. Also, check that the keyboard is completely dried. If then the issue persists, consult a technician.
Is it safe to use a vacuum cleaner on my keyboard?
It is not recommended that the vacuum cleaner clean the keyboard as it might damage it. Use of compressed air tiny soft brush is recommended.
How do I clean a mechanical keyboard differently?
To clean the mechanical keyboard, you must remove the keycaps. This is the only way to clean the keyboard deeply.