Comments on: How to Clean a Keyboard

By: Leigh

Leigh — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:12:34 +0000

Tools Needed: One of those long spiral brushes used to clean the coils on refrigerators.

Bottle of Windex or substitute.

Paper towels

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Take your keyboard (unplug it first), then hold it inverted and level. Using a spray bottle of Windex or something similar, spray the keyboard so that the mist runs horizontally along the keys. Do not spray up and into, you just want to mist the keys. Continue to hold the keyboard upside down till all drips have stopped then turn it over and take the brush and scrub the keys vigorously in all directions with the refrigerator brush. Wipe off the keys with a wad of paper towels and leave to dry for a few minutes. Your keyboard will be spotless!

Total time less than one minute..

By: Hugh

Hugh — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:46:00 +0000

I have cleaned all my keyboards in the dishwasher. Full cycle with soap and other dishes.

I place them in upside down for better drainage, and shake them thoroughly when first removed.

24 hours drying (Upside down) has always been enough, but I’ve used forced-air vents and hairdryers to speed this up.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:39:05 +0000

I just bought some “Cyber Clean” putty from ThinkGeek. Works GREAT for cleaning keyboards. Just push the gunk into the keys, lift it off, and it pulls all the dirt & grime right now. Seriously, it works incredibly well.

By: The209

The209 — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:04:38 +0000

You can always wash a standard USB or ps/2 keyboard in a dishwasher. They will work perfectly as long as you let them dry for 2 days after washing.

I do not suggest doing this with a wireless keyboard.

By: Twisted Tech Geek

Twisted Tech Geek — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:42:56 +0000

I saw one person say he uses an artists paintbrush. I have found the small soft to medium paintbrushes about 1-1//2 inches (even 2 inches) works great for taking dust and dirt out between the keys. Brush while the keyboard is right-side up and upside down. you can get the surface dust as well as the dust down below in the cracks. One thing, try to get a soft brush. Don’t use the stiff bristle paintbrushes, they are too abrasive and don’t get into the crevices as well.

By: Neil

Neil — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:37:48 +0000

Just use the cobweb attachment (small round nozzle surrounded by a soft-bristle brush) and run it over the keyboard slowly. Sucks any surface and the accessible under-key dust and crumbs out.

The wipe the key surfaces with a alcohol handy wipe (or screen-cleaner wipe, if like me, you keep a package on your desk). Takes 30 seconds, doesn’t require power-down or lengthy drying out. Works on a laptop too.

By: Rupert

Rupert — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:50:04 +0000

Last two weeks, I was on duty and sought something to do. As all facilities I touch everyday are completely clean and tidy except my keyboard. It looks dirtier than others. I just used a brush and a wet cloth to clean after prying off keys by a screwdriver. Now it looks shiny!

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:26:07 +0000

I vacuum the keyboard then clean the keys with a soft cloth and electronics cleaner. Works great.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 07:30:33 +0000

Pop was spilled on my laptop. I shut it off immediately and turned it upside down. Later I blew it out with my air compressor. It worked fine for a couple of months then I experienced periodic power failure (it would not turn on). When it does turn on, it works fine. Is the spilled liquid (pop), causing the power on failure?

By: Kickylee

Kickylee — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 03:14:17 +0000

Several years ago I was a single mom and on a very tight budget. My keyboard quit. Two people suggested giving a shower. I did just that. What did I have to lose? Use the shower head and very warm water and drenched it. I let it air dry for five days. It worked perfectly! I’ve done it three time since. Once when a rescue dog jumped up and dumped a large Pepsi on the keyboard and another time when yet another dog, dumped another drink on it. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, but if all else fails, it is worth a try!

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:21:18 +0000

An FYI to Renee – canned air does not disinfect anything – it simply blows the loose dirt out. To disinfect, you must use a disinfectant sprayed lightly on a lint free cloth to wipe the keys.

By: Penny

Penny — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:14:59 +0000

p.s. Be sure to let the keyboard dry THOROUGHLY for at least 3 days over a vent or in front of a fan before plugging it back in.

By: Penny

Penny — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:13:40 +0000

When you spill coffee or soda in your keyboard and mess it up, you can unplug it and after knocking the loose crumbs, etc out, you put it in your sink and with your hose wash it out good. I have saved 2 keyboard using this method. I have lost one (it doesn’t always work) but when all else fails, it doesn’t hurt to try.

By: Jeanneron

Jeanneron — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:36:20 +0000

My son takes off all the keys and cleans them with a old T-shirt and alcohol and I vacuum it. I have never sucked up any keys.

By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:07:51 +0000

I use an artists paint brush. You can angle it around under the keys. I also slide a sticky note down to grab any stray hairs or fuzz, it also gets in tight spots.

By: Renee

Renee — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 13:44:22 +0000

I use canned air to disinfect. Why take all your time I don’t have.

By: Cyndi

Cyndi — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 23:07:09 +0000

I tip the keyboard upside down periodically or use a can of air. Occasionally I wrap a piece of soft cloth around a screw driver to clean between keys.

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:24:22 +0000

I used to use my Swiffer cleaner, but now I use the pledge multi-surface duster. It does a great job, but please make sure you electronic equipment is turned off or unplugged before using.

By: Nichole

Nichole — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:30:37 +0000

I always use canned air to get the dirt from underneath the keys and then use a disinfecting wipe for the top of my laptop. Easy-peasy!

By: Elaine

Elaine — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:03:41 +0000

I turn the keyboard upside down over my trash can and then use a post-it note and run it between the keys.