it’s impossible to avoid spending hours at a computer whether for a job or your entertainment. Your keyboard will eventually wear down from constant use. Food crumbs and water droplets are most likely to cause dust and buildup. However, the thought of cleaning the tiny spaces around and beneath each of the keys isn’t an appealing job. But rather than passing judgment, we are here to assist you in cleaning up. Here, we’ll describe how to clean your keyboard step-by-step and highlight the required materials.
Supplies for Cleaning a Keyboard
according to research conducted by the University of Arizona, the average desktop/keyboard area can have up to 400 times more bacteria than some toilet seats. Computer keyboards should be quickly cleaned a minimum of once a week, especially if many people share them. Learn how to safely clean a keyboard by using the tips and tricks listed below.
Don’t feel like you need to purchase specialized cleaning supplies; you can undoubtedly clean your keyboard using something you already have at home. Here are a few things to think about and some at-home options you already have.
TOOLS & MATERIALS
- Plastic tablecloth or sheets of newspaper
- Keyboard cleaning brush or toothbrush
- Keyboard vacuum
- Cotton swabs
- Compressed air
- Small bowl
- Dish soap and warm water
- Alcohol wipes
- Rubbing alcohol
- Microfiber cloth
Here’s what to do once you’ve gathered everything you need
TIPS: Electronic gadgets with keyboards have sensitivity issues. Because of this, when cleaning your keyboard, you’ll wish to use caution to prevent damage. To clean a keyboard, never immerse it in water or put it in the dishwasher. Before cleaning your keyboard, review its instructions.
1 . Unplug before cleaning
Disconnect the keyboard from the computer before beginning to clean it. Remove the batteries from any wireless keyboard you may have. Make sure the laptop is shut off before using the keyboard. To prevent the dust and crumbs on the keyboard from entering the computer’s interior components and causing more issues, move the keyboard to a different workspace from where you are working.
2 . Turn and tap to release dust
Turn the keyboard upside down and place it on top of some newspaper or a plastic tablecloth over a work surface. Some trash will be removed immediately away, but some crumbs will probably get stuck inside the keyboard. To clear some of this junk, lightly tap the keyboard’s back a few times.
Avoid shaking the device when cleaning a mechanical keyboard or a laptop keyboard. This could result in internal component damage and render the keyboard or computer inoperable.
3. Use a soft brush or Compressed air
Dust off the tops and edges of each key with a gentle paintbrush. In order to prevent introducing further dirt into any crevices, try to do this action with the keyboard upside down.
You can also use a compressed air can to blow anything lodged in the keys out if you have one. Spray the air across the keyboard. rotate it, and continue the procedure until all four sides of the keys have been covered. Just be careful not to spray air directly under the keys as this could harm them.
4. Clean between the keys
Even though your keyboard is probably now a lot cleaner, there might still be some dirt trapped between the keys. You can wipe a sticky keyboard using a cotton swab, sticky note, or cleaning gel. To get rid of even more crud and filth that can be causing the keys to stick when you type, use these tools between and over the keys. Be aware that cleaning gel may leave an oily residue if you decide to use it. It could be a good idea to test the gel on a tiny portion of the keyboard first.
5. Cleaning the keys
Cleaning the keys is the last step, whether or not you’re trying to figure out how to clean a laptop keyboard or an older model. Nevertheless, depending on the sort of keyboard you have, the cleaning process for keyboard keys may change. For cleaning filth and sticky residue, certain versions have keycaps that can be removed and soaked in soapy water. Before soaking removable keys in the water, make sure to check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions if your model has them. The keys should be properly dried outside after being cleaned before being snapped back into place. Taking a photo of the keyboard before removing the keys may also be a good idea to ensure that you know exactly how to put everything back together.
For cleaning non-removable keys, try alcohol wipes, screen wipes, or microfiber towels dipped in rubbing alcohol. Avoid using liquids directly as the keyboard could be damaged if you clean it with direct liquids.
In addition to making your keyboard seem prettier and reducing the transmission of germs, keeping it clean will also keep the keys from sticking and ensure that it continues to function as intended.
Cleaning requires patience and help to grow healthy mentally and spiritually.
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