Guide to Cleaning Your Keyboard

Ever get that one sticky key or examine your keyboard and think that its just gross? Maybe it's time to clean it. Cleaning the keyboard will ensure that it functions longer and better by removing dirt, dust and other particles under the keys.

Supplies needed

Rubbing alcohol

Nail file, butter knife or Small Flat Screwdriver

Q-tips

Cleaning steps:

1) Turn off your computer and unplug the keyboard before cleaning procedure. It is not recommended to remove or connect a keyboard while the computer is running. Doing so may damage the machine or keyboard, especially older style PS2 keyboards.

2) Turn the keyboard upside down over a garbage can and shake it to remove loose dust dirt and crumbs. Then use a can of air or a vacuum to get any other loose particles.

3) Take a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol and rub around and between each of the keys.

4) For a more thorough cleaning (THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR LAPTOP KEYBOARDS), remove all of the keys. Do this by gently prying up each key with a small screwdriver or nail file.

* It is a good idea not to take off the space bar, as it is harder to get back on and easier to break.

5) When the keys have been removed, blow out any extra debris that is now visible with compressed air.

6) Take a rubbing alcohol moistened Q-tip and swab around where the keys were. Be careful not allow any type of fluid to enter the keyboard.

7) Clean each of the keys individually and replace back on the keyboard.

8) Let your keyboard dry and plug it back into the computer.

Things to Note:

When spraying compressed air, keep the can upright, don't invert it. Inverting it can cause liquid propellant to spray into the keyboard and damage it. Be sure to use the compressed air in a well ventilated area.

Have something to remember the order of the keys. Either lay the keys out in the order they would appear on the keyboard or take a photo. I forgot the first time I cleaned my keyboard and ended up having to call a friend to tell me where to put my keys!

The reason the more thorough cleaning not being recommended for laptops is laptop keys are more difficult to put back on and often have small clips holding them on that are easy to break. Often canned air and rubbing alcohol on the keys is enough.

An alternative to compressed air is an electric hair dryer with the blower on high. It matters little if the heat is on or off. It's great for dusting too. I use mine on cold lock.

I have heard of people unscrewing the keyboard and putting just the plastic through the dishwasher. However, it is not something I would recommend doing.