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Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Keyboard

(Originally Published December 15, 2017)

 

 

Keyboards can easily house many nasty germs. One study even found that some keyboards had five times more germs than a toilet seat! Keeping your keyboard clean and sanitary is one great way to stop the spread of germs in your office, especially during flu season. This ultimate guide to keyboard cleaning will show you how to clean different kinds of common keyboards. For more information on office cleanliness and safety, contact the experts at Kitchener Clean today!

 

SOURCE: DAILYMAIL.CO.UK

 

Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Keyboard - Mac Keyboards

 

You may have noticed that most Mac keyboards are shiny and white. White looks great, but it also looks dirty faster. Still, that doesn't mean it is actually dirtier than other keyboards, it just shows quicker. This can actually be a good thing, because it will remind you to clean your keyboard before you notice it getting too grimy!

 

There are many different ways to clean every kind of keyboard. This first quick tip video was made by YouTuber Alex Robinett, and outlines one quick way to clean your keyboard. This method is probably best for general maintenance rather than an ultra deep clean. However, it allows you to clean your keyboard without removing the keys. This may be preferable if you are pressed for time or do not know how to properly remove keys. Check out Alex's video below!

 

Method #1

 

https://youtu.be/PBAEuee0dj4


Method #2

 

For a more thorough method of Mac keyboard cleaning, check out the steps below! 

 

Step 1 - Gather Materials

 

For method #2, you will need more materials. These materials are easy to find at your local office store, grocery store, or drug store. You will need:

  • Compressed air spray can 
  • Microfibre cloth 
  • Cotton swabs
  • Water
  • Mild dish soap 
  • Spudger (or your fingernails) 

NOTE: Remember to turn off your computer before you begin!

 

Step 2 - Wipe Keyboard Down

 

Wet your microfibre cloth and add a small amount of soap. Then, wipe down your keyboard. You should do this before you remove any keys. Ensure that you have not used too much soap or water. You don't want to soak your keyboard! Give the exterior a good scrub, and then move on to the next step. 

 

Step 3 - Remove Keys From Keyboard

 

For a thorough cleaning, you can remove the keys from your keyboard. In order to remove keys, use the spudger or your fingernails to pry the keys up from the board and remove them. Do this for all of the keys.

 

Step 4 - Clean The Inside

 

Use your compressed air spray can to blow away dirt and grime that has been sitting under your keys. If you find a spot where the dirt or grime will not come off with just the compressed air, use a cotton swab and clean it manually. If you used any soap or water, ensure the board is fully dry before putting the keys back on.

 

Step 5 - Put Keys Back On Keyboard

 

Once everything is dry, it's time to put your keys back on the keyboard. This should not be too difficult. The keys should snap back into place without too much effort.

 

Source: How To Clean Your Mac Keyboard by GottaBe Mobile 

 

Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Keyboard - Laptop Keyboards

 

Cleaning your laptop keyboard looks almost the same as cleaning a computer keyboard. The biggest difference is that your laptop keyboard is attached to the rest of the computer! You cannot maneuver a laptop keyboard as easily as a separate computer keyboard. However, the steps remains the same. 

 

Materials Needed: 

  • Compressed air spray can 
  • 2 Microfibre cloths
  • Cotton swabs
  • Paint brushes
  • Cleaning solution for electronics

Check out the video below by Dell Tech Support to watch the experts at Dell clean a laptop keyboard.

 

Method #1

 

https://youtu.be/8vL_s2n0MV8


Other Methods 

 

  • Use the same steps as method #2 for Macs - this can easily be done for any laptop keyboard!
     
  • Use a mini vacuum and suck up all the dirt and grime that has been sitting in your laptop keys. Some sources, like Dummies.com, even recommend this over the compressed air method.
     
  • Use isopropyl alcohol to clean the keys and sanitize. You will also need cotton swabs or a cloth. Pour the alcohol on the cloth or swab and carefully wipe down each individual key. 

Source: How To Clean The Laptop Keyboard by Dummies.com

 

Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Keyboard - Mechanical Keyboards

 

Mechanical keyboards are high quality keyboards that are usually built with spring activated key switches (as opposed to rubber dome membrane switches). Mechanical keyboards are often used for gaming.

 

Because they are built differently than typical rubber dome keyboards and laptop keyboards, they should also be cleaned differently. Below is an extensive how-to video by Joker Productions that explains how to clean your mechanical keyboard.

 

Method #1

 

https://youtu.be/VjlD5TKOCp0


Method #2

 

If you do not need to do as thorough a cleaning as seen in the video above, this method will show you a quicker cleaning method.

 

Step 1 - Gather Materials

 

  • Cloth or cotton swabs (or paper towels)
  • isopropyl alcohol (optional) or water
  • Jelly compound 

 

Step 2 - Clean Up/Wipe Down

 

Wipe down the surface of your keyboard with a microfibre cloth. If you have recently spilled something on your keyboard, ensure you completely remove the sticky substance with some water and a cloth or paper towels.

 

Step 3 - Scrub Keys

 

Now it's time to remove all the dirt and grime. Like the other methods above, you can choose to use cotton swabs or a cloth. You may choose to use some isopropyl alcohol or just some water. It is really up to you and how extensive a cleaning job your keyboard requires.

 

Step 4 (Optional) - Use a Jelly Compound

 

To clean just the surface of your laptop, you may choose to complete only steps 1 and 2. If you want to remove the keys and get a deeper clean, continue onto step 3.

 

For step 3, you will need a jelly compound. Jelly compounds are often used for cleaning mechanical keyboards. Remove the keys from your keyboard and then dab the jelly all around your keyboard. You can even do this without removing the keys! However, it will not be as deep of a clean.

 

Troubleshooting - Should I Clean Without Removing Keys?

 

For all the different keyboards listed above, we offer a method for cleaning your keyboard without removing keys. Whether or not you choose to remove the keys is up to you! Removing them when cleaning your keyboard will provide a much deeper clean, help remove unseen dust, debris, and dirt, and help your keyboard last longer!

 

However, if you frequently clean your keyboard, you do not have to remove the keys every single time. It is up to you and your discretion.

 

If you feel like your keys are sticky or not working as they should, a deeper clean is recommended. If you feel like everything is working well and you have just recently thoroughly cleaned your keyboard, then a surface clean only may be necessary.

 

Troubleshooting - What If I Spill Something On My Keyboard?

 

Spilling anything on your keyboard can be frustrating and scary! Will your keyboard ever recover? What happens if you spill something on your laptop keyboard? Below are two how-to videos for cleaning spills off keyboards. Every spill is different - and some may in fact damage your keyboard. However, if you act quickly, you may be able to salvage your keyboard or laptop with little to no lasting damage.

 

Keyboard Spills - Separate Keyboard

 

Check out the video below to see the steps for recovering a keyboard that has had liquid spilled on it! 

 

https://youtu.be/fx2ZilgEmA0

 

Keyboard Spills - Laptop Computer

 

Check out the video below to see how to salvage your laptop if you happen to spill something on it!

 

https://youtu.be/AJD2TNFylWc

 

Keep Office Keyboards and Computers Clean with Kitchener Clean!

 

Struggling with dirty and grimy keyboards at work? Keeping your office clean and sanitary will help keep your keyboards clean and sanitary! One of the best ways to maintain a clean and healthy office environment is by hiring commercial cleaners. This can save employees and office managers time, as dirty keyboards and grimy laptops will no longer be a worry.

 

At Kitchener Clean, we are dedicated to helping create safe and healthy work environments! Hiring an experienced cleaning company that knows to clean all the usually forgotten nooks and crannies and how to avoid mold and dust build-up will help keep your office space clean and your workers healthy.

 

We believe that everyone should be entitled to breathe clean, chemical-free air at work. That's why we are dedicated to providing non-toxic and environmentally friendly cleaning solutions that are safer than traditional cleaning methods.

 

“Have been using Kitchener Clean for several years now. Recently added a second property. Very professional,

Very thorough. They are like clockwork. I would recommend them to any business that is looking for a

 cleaning company they can depend on.”

-- Mark, a Kitchener Clean customer!

 

Derrick Carroll at 9:02 AM
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Name: Derrick Carroll
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