Clean Your Keyboard with Things You Have in Your House Right Now

You might be surprised by how many people don't clean their keyboards on a regular basis. And, I admit, I am sometimes one of those people. But, sometimes, it can be an easy thing to let slide.

You don't need special tools to clean your computer's keyboard. In fact, you can keep your keyboard clean with things you have in your house right now.

Give Your Keyboard a Daily Shake

You really shouldn't eat over your keyboard, but most of us do it anyway. As a result, crumbs from your cookies or toast are bound to find their way between the keyboards keys.

Dust and other undesirable matter will also build up between the keys if given a chance.

One way to deal with this is to give your keyboard a daily shake.

Every day, before you start working at your computer, turn your keyboard upside down, so that the keys are facing the floor, and shake it.

Don't worry about damaging your keyboard. They are pretty sturdy and resilient. And, if you're worried that shaking your keyboard will make you look silly, wait until no one is around to do it.

The Weekly Wipe

Computer keyboards can also get pretty grimy if you don't wipe them down regularly. So give them a good wiping.

1. Turn off the computer and unplug the keyboard.

2. Spray a generous amount of household cleaning solution on a paper towel. You can use a glass cleaner, or a mild all-purpose cleaner for this job.

3. Wipe down the computer keys. Don't be afraid to give the keyboard a vigorous wiping, running across and depressing all the keys. It might seem like rough treatment, but your keyboard will survive.

4. To really get between the keys, you might want to use a cotton swab that's been dipped in cleaning solution.

You want to let your keyboard dry out completely before plugging it up again, so it might be best to do this at the end of the day, when you're through working at your computer.

Heavy Duty Cleaning

Sometimes, the above cleaning techniques won't work. Maybe the keyboard has just gone too long without a cleaning. Or you've spilled a soda on the keys. In that case, more drastic measures might be called for.

1. Turn off the computer and unplug the keyboard.

2. Using a screwdriver, gently pop off the keys. You won't hurt the keyboard by doing this, and you'd be surprised by how easily the keys come off. Just make sure you have a reference (like a picture of a keyboard, or another keyboard) for when it's time to put the keys back on.

3. If you spilled your drink on the keyboard, turn it face-down on a towel to let the liquid drain off.

4. Put the keys in a colander, and run them under warm water. When they seem clean, put them to the side, placing the colander on a towel to catch any excess water.

5. Using a paper towel and your cleaning solution, wipe the keyboard down thoroughly.

6. Allow the keyboard to dry completely. If you spilled liquid on it, you might want to let it dry for twelve to twenty-four hours.

7. Once you're sure the keyboard is dry, pop the keys back on, plug the keyboard back up, and get to work.

Keeping your keyboard clean doesn't require any special skills or equipment. With a little regularly maintenance, you can keep your keyboard as clean as it was the day you bought it.