Typing on a sticky keyboard can be very frustrating. You make typos, you can’t type in passwords and some become so stuck you can’t press them at all. As part of maintaining your computer and laptop, you should clean your keyboard regularly. If you don’t, you will let dirt build up and you will end up with sticky keys. Similarly, if you drink when working, spilled soda on a laptop keyboard causes sticky keys. Many suggest removing all the keys to clean a mechanical keyboard, but there are ways to do it without this labor intensive method.
Keep reading here at oneHOWTO for more about how to clean a computer or laptop keyboard without removing the keys. There are different ways to fix sticky keys, so see which is the best one for you.
- How to clean a sticky USB keyboard without removing the keys
- How to clean a laptop keyboard without removing the keys
- How to clean a sticky keyboard: from inside
How to clean a sticky USB keyboard without removing the keys
A mechanical desktop computer keyboard is easier to clean as it can be disconnected from the USB port. Cleaning a laptop keyboard is a little trickier, so we show you how to do that below. Unplugging a mechanical USB keyboard allows us to handle it with more ease and move it around, which is not the case with a laptop or MAC. Follow these tips on how to clean a mechanical keyboard:
- Turn it over: the easiest method of cleaning a mechanical keyboard is to flip it over and shake it lightly. This should force all of the crumbs, food scraps, lint, etc. inside of the keyboard to fall out. After turning it over, you can wipe it with a damp cloth to remove any remaining dust.
- Vacuum the keyboard: you can clean a mechanical keyboard using a small keyboard vacuum. If you don’t have one, you can use a small sofa vacuum on its lowest power program to suck up any dust remnants.
- Brush between the keys: if your keyboard is not very dirty, you can dust it with a keyboard cleaning brush. You can also opt to wipe it lightly with a microfiber cloth.
- Use an air spray: you can find aerosols with just air inside designed to clean hard to reach places. They are ideal for cleaning keyboards without removing the keys as you can just put the nozzle in the spaces between them. The force of the air should remove any loose dirt, although it may not be effective with dried on stains such as spilled soda.
- Clean the keyboard with alcohol: the above keyboard cleaning methods are effective if your keyboard is not very dirty and has loose dirt. However, they are not always the best with sticky keys. You can use isopropyl to get rid of grease on a sticky keyboard. Apply the alcohol (diluted in a little water) onto a cloth or cotton swab and carefully clean each key individually. This is the best cleaning method when it comes to effectively disinfecting a keyboard. Dip a cotton bud in the solution to clean between the keys.
- Antibacterial wipe: one of the most effective ways to clean soda spills or other sticky keys on a keyboard is to use an antibacterial wipe. It won’t be wet enough to damage the keyboard, but you can press down on the keys and use it to get in between them and remove stains effectively.
For more, we recommend reading our article where discuss how to clean a computer screen.
How to clean a laptop keyboard without removing the keys
Cleaning a laptop or laptop keyboard is more or less the same as cleaning a mechanical keyboard. However, the keys are usually much flatter and harder to get in between. This means you likely won’t be able to shake the dirt clean. Cleaning dirt particles with compressed air will also be trickier, although you should give it a try.
Although difficult, you can clean a laptop keyboard without removing the keys. You may need to employ a little more patience.
Firstly, turn the laptop off a remove it from the mains adaptor. Lightly moisten a toothpick with water and remove any obvious dirt particles between the keys. As soon as you’ve finished doing this, make sure to dry off any moisture with a dry cloth to avoid computer damage. Don’t forget to do this before plugging it in again, otherwise you could short the machine.
You can also clean your laptop keyboard by removing the keycap with a wire keycap puller tool. Be careful when choosing this option as it means you will have to then replace the keycap.
How to clean a sticky keyboard: from inside
Unfortunately, the above methods don’t always work. This is especially the case if you have spilled soda or another liquid which has seeped under the keys. In these cases, it is very difficult to get rid of the sticky substances. You may have to remove all the keys one by one. It is labor intensive, but it is also one of the most effective ways of cleaning a keyboard.
The best way to do it is clean the keyboard from the inside, especially in the case of a mechanical keyboard. In laptops this is more complicated because you’ll have to open the laptop, which is not recommended if you’ve never done it before.
How to clean a mechanical keyboard from the inside
- Unplug the USB plug.
- Take off the back part of the keyboard with a screwdriver (make sure not to lose the screws!).
- Remove the keys, place them in a strainer and rinse with water. Make sure you dry keycap individually after.
- Clean the empty faceplate lightly with little isopropyl alcohol and water and dry well.
- Replace the dry keys.
- Close the keyboard again and screw well.
For any doubts, you can also consult a laptop technician at your local tech store.
For more tech cleaning tips and tech related hygiene, you may be interested in reading how to protect skin from technology.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Clean a Sticky Keyboard Without Removing the Keys, we recommend you visit our Computers category.
Even though so many people use a PC every day, the last thing most people normally remember is to disinfect the pc keyboard and mouse. However, the keyboard and mouse is the seat to most bacteria and germs, this is because the hands are always on it.
How many times do you remember to wash your hands, even when we are advised to wash them? frequently, getting these quick tips to help disinfect the mouse and keyboard would ensure that you stay germ-free.
When hands are not washed, the bacteria are transferred to the keyboard and mouse especially for those who are always working on their computer day and night such as developers, writers, and bloggers. Instinctively, you grab a bite around it, talk around it and your hands end up on it. Also when dust and dirt continue to pile up in crevices around your pc, this could cause some malfunction. You can also incorporate these quick steps into a weekly routine to help you stay disease-free and give you pc a longer life-span.
Several ways to clean and disinfect my mouse and keyboard
There are several ways to clean the mouse and the keyboard, as this is the first step before you think of how I disinfect my mouse and keyboard.
Turning the keyboard and mouse upside down:
while some people advise, turning the keyboard, upside down and shaking it, you can also turn it upside down and give a light pat on the keys. You would find dirt falling out of its holes. You can simply turn your mouse upside down too to let dirt fall off, while you roll the ball in between up and down. While you are at it, you can use a dry cloth or brush to move through the keys.
Remember that before you start cleaning ensure that you have plugged out your pc from the power source and remove the batter. When cleaning the mouse, you would also turn it upside down and pat the scrolling button a bit, and where there is none on it, simply pat the mouse.
Do a little bit of Dismantling for the keyboard:
You can also unscrew the few screws at the back of your keyboard, to free up the upper part of the keys. This can give you a free view of the dirt and easy access to clean it up quickly. Use a brush to clean off the dirt and put back your keyboard parts together and screw it up.
Use a tiny dirt picker to clean a mouse:
Because of the tinier and fewer crevices that are present in the mouse, they compound lesser amount of dirt, before disinfection you can try using a needle-like object, preferably a toothpick to drag out dirt that might have been trapped in between.
How do I disinfect my keyboard and mouse:
key steps However, after cleaning it is very important to disinfect. Without disinfection, you are still left with bacteria and disease causing organisms.
- Step 1- Blow off Dust using an air blower: You can use a keyboard vacuum or any tool that blows mild and pressured air, to wade off the dirt that might be deep inside any area of the crevices. You can improvise with a dryer in a lower volume to push out all the hidden dust and dirt.
- Step2- Use sanitized wipes: You can invest in general well-sanitized wipes, sanitized wipes or UV-beam sanitizer made for tech component cleaning. If you are using every day sanitized wipes, when you take out the wipe, first use it to wipe off your hands or better still wash your hands with a hand sanitizer and dry it off.
- Step3-Squeeze out extra liquid and start cleaning: Squeeze the sanitized wipes a bit to drain off excess liquid, just in case you are using a wipe that is dense with sanitized liquid. Then you start cleaning every area of the keyboard. The cleaning should be done slowly and remember to clean the edges also. Also, use the sanitized wipes on your mouse.
- Step 4-Leave for a while: When you are sure that it is done, you should leave it for a few minutes to dry out before putting back the battery or plugging it to a power source. When you are done cleaning you can put back the battery for your keyboard and connect to your power source again. If you are trying to disinfect a laptop, ensure that you stay away from using alcohol or liquid that contains alcohol to clean the screen of the computer as this might be damaging to it.
When you think of “How do I disinfect my keyboard and mouse”, it generally takes you less than ten minutes to complete and you can get back to your business. It is advised that you try to disinfect your keyboard and mouse, at least once a month to help you live disease and germ-free.
Our most used gadgets and tech accessories are magnets for germs. This is because we touch them so often and rarely clean them properly. To stay healthy and protect yourself, it’s a must to disinfect your phone as well as disinfect your keyboard and mouse.
Whether you have a laptop or desktop, you can sanitize your keyboard and mouse fairly easily and quickly. This is even more important if you share your devices with others. So let’s look at how to go about it and make it a priority to do this every few days.
Things You’ll Need to Sanitize your Keyboard and Mouse
Please bear in mind that simple cleaning with a cloth is not adequate. To properly disinfect your keyboard and mouse you need an alcohol-based disinfectant that contains at least 60 percent ethanol or 70 percent isopropyl (rubbing alcohol).
You can buy sprays or wipes as long as they contain the necessary amount of ethanol or isopropanol. Further, you’ll need paper towels or clean and soft lint-free cotton cloths.
You can also get a can of compressed air to blow the dust out of your keyboard but be careful with this as can cause damage to delicate mechanisms in laptop keyboards.
How to Disinfect Your Keyboard
Before attempting to clean your keyboard, always disconnect it or remove the batteries if it’s a wireless one. Then, you can turn it upside down and gently shake it to get rid of any loose dust or particles that may be stuck between the keys. If you like, you can blow some compressed air around the keyboard to remove crumbs and dust particles from between the keys.
Image source: pbtech.co.nz
Now, use a slightly damp cloth to clean the buttons and grooves. Ensure that there is no excess liquid in your cloth or you might ruin your keyboard. With the dust and grime wiped off, it’s time to disinfect the keyboard with your alcohol spray or wipes. Clean all the sides, between the keys and also the cable if it has one.
Allow the alcohol to evaporate before you plug in the keyboard again.
How to Disinfect Your Laptop Keyboard
Before you begin to disinfect your laptop keyboard, shut down your computer and unplug it. Use a soft, damp cloth to clean any grease and grime from the keys.
Now, use your alcohol wipe or solution to disinfect the surface of your laptop. Please use minimal liquid so that you don’t get any into the mechanism of the computer. Be gentle as the main components of the laptop are just beneath the keyboard. Let your laptop air-dry for a few minutes before you turn it on again.
How to Disinfect your Trackpad
Before you clean your trackpad, make sure your laptop is completely powered off and unplugged. Using alcohol spray or wipes, thoroughly disinfect the surface of the trackpad. Also, sanitize the area around the trackpad where you rest your hands.
Image source: Acleanbee.com
How to Disinfect your Mouse
As with keyboards, unplug your mouse or remove the batteries if it’s a wireless one. Use a damp, lint-free cloth to clean your mouse the best you can and dislodge any obvious dirt or grime. Next, use an alcohol spray or wipe to disinfect the whole device. Let it dry for a few minutes before you use it again.
Image source: Insider.com
Tips to Keep Your Mouse and Keyboard Clean
Now that you know how to disinfect your keyboard and mouse, here are some general tips that will help you keep them cleaner:
- Don’t eat or drink near your computer as crumbs, grease, or spills can wreak havoc on your devices.
- Wash your hands before and after you use the computer, especially if it’s a shared device
- Keep disinfecting wipes or alcohol spray nearby so you remember to use them often.
- Invest in a keyboard cover or skin that can help keep out dust and is easy to wash when it gets dirty.
Wrapping Up…
As you can see, it’s pretty simple to sanitize your keyboard and mouse. Make it a routine to do this often so as to keep the germs at bay. Do you have any other cleaning tips? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Rene Ritchie / iMore
Along with any computer, a mouse and keyboard get dirty and pick up lots of germs with each keystroke throughout the day. Cleaning your monitor and computer accessories regularly, will not only protect your devices but will also keep you and others in your household healthy. Here are a few quick tips on how to clean your keyboard and mouse, leaving it spic and span for everyday use.
Products used in this guide
- Apple recommended: Clorox Company Disinfectant Wipes ($5 at Amazon)
- Canned air: Falcon Dust-Off Electronics Compressed Gas Duster 10 Oz (4 Pack) ($19 at Amazon)
- For a deeper clean: Scrub Daddy (3-count) ($13 at Amazon)
- Use just a little: Deer Park Brand Distilled Water (1 Case (6 Bottles)) ($26 at Amazon)
How to clean your keyboard and mouse
Cleaning and disinfecting your electronic devices aren’t the same thing, at least in the context of germs. Regular cleaning involves removing smudges, along with stubborn spots and stains. Disinfecting, by contrast, removes unseen bacteria that could make you sick. For the latter, you need to use items that won’t harm your accessories.
For everyday cleaning, you need to gently blow off the dust and possible grime using canned air across your devices.
For weekly cleaning, use disinfectant wipes:
- Carefully apply wipes to the entire surface of both devices.
- Rub the wipes across the top and sides of the keyboard keys.
When your keyboard is dirty:
- Wet a clean sponge using purified or distilled water.
- Squeeze the clean sponge so that it’s almost dry.
- Gently wipe the keyboard with the sponge, removing the grime.
Note: To remove stubborn stains, you can add a tiny drop of gentle dish soap to the water before cleaning.
By taking just a few seconds out of your week, you can keep your electronics clean and disinfected. The most crucial part of any solution is making sure to have the correct items at home. Using products that aren’t safe for electronic devices, can risk causing damage to your computer and its accessories.
Is it safe?
To clean its products, Apple recommends both isopropyl alcohol and Clorox Disinfecting Wipes (or something similar), noting:
Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don’t use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don’t submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don’t use on fabric or leather surfaces.
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Keeping a clean laptop is essential for the long-term health of your investment. These tools will get the job done.
Must have
Clorox Company Disinfectant Wipes
These wipes are guaranteed to remove germs that can make you sick. Use them on all of your electronic devices and often!
Clorox wipes aren’t just useful to clean your electronics. You can use them all over the house, including in the restroom and kitchen.
Additional Equipment
We also suggest having a sponge to remove grime and spots on your keyboard, although with distilled water. Don’t use the same sponge you use in the kitchen, however. Keep this one separate. Canned air is also useful.
Scrub Daddy (3-count) ($13 at Amazon)
Scrub Daddy’s FlexTexture foam is firm in cold water for tough scrubbing and soft in warm water for light cleaning. This is an easy-to-use and affordable go-to for your cleaning needs.
Deer Park Brand Distilled Water (1 Case (6 Bottles)) ($26 at Amazon)
Any distilled water will do when you need to deep clean. This option gives you a gallon at a reasonable price.
Falcon Dust-Off Electronics Compressed Gas Duster 10 Oz (4 Pack) ($19 at Amazon)
Use this compressed gas to remove dust, lint, and other contaminants from hard-to-reach areas. This is ideal for cleaning CPUs, keyboards, computer mice, and workstations
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Bryan M Wolfe
I’m a single dad who loves technology, especially anything new from Apple. Penn State (go Nittany Lions) graduate here, also a huge fan of the New England Patriots. Thanks for reading. @bryanmwolfe
What are safe products to use to clean computers and other electronics?
Answers
Air Duster is recommended for electronics. Coffee filters can be used for the screen -they have less linty product all over them- and there soft.
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You can clean the keys/keyboard and crevices with rubbing alcohol and a q-tip (or cloth or whatever). Its good for anything like that and disinfects (phones, etc). The alcohol evaporates quickly. It does an amazing job. Your monitor you should use some type of static free cloth (microfiber/lens cleaning cloth, etc). You can buy wipes for it at office supply stores. Sometimes I’ll spray a cloth with vinegar/water solution lightly and wipe with it.
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To clean your keyboard you should use can air this can be found at any major retailer or at an office depot. spray the can air inbetween all keys. Then tip the keyboard over and shake lightly to remove any debris. If you have dirt or sticky spots on the keyboard you can use a q-tip and alchohol to clean.. but never put water or spray any chemicals directly on the keyboard. As far as the screen.. Typically I use a swiffer duster for daily cleaning.. if there are spots or dirt on the screen I only use electronic wipes which can be found at any major retailer. Never spray your screen with cleaning supplies.
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I use vinegar and water mix for everything. Just don’t spray it directly on the keyboard or screen spray it on a rag or paper towel first.
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If you haven’t taken a close look at your keyboard and mouse lately, you probably should. These two main components of your computer get grimy pretty quickly. This comes as no surprise since they are continually used and touched by human hands each day.
In fact, you’re probably touching one or both at this very moment. The truth is, your keyboard may contain more bacteria than any public bathroom or doorknob — and a study from U of A indicates there may be up to 400 times more. Yeah. Let that sink in. Your Amazon packages are also filthy. Tap or click here for ways to clean your deliveries properly.
But no need to panic. There’s nothing a good cleaning and disinfecting couldn’t cure. So, here are four simple steps to rid your mouse and keyboard of any germ build-up.
1. Disconnect your mouse and keyboard
First, if your keyboard is plugged into the computer, unplug it. If it’s wireless, switch it off. For keyboards that are part of a laptop, shut the device down and disconnect the power chord. If the battery is accessible and easy to remove, do that as well.
The same goes for your mouse. Disconnect it from your computer and take out the batteries. If it’s wireless, simply flip it over, turn it off and take out the batteries. It’s important to have all power sources either shut off or disconnected while you clean your components. This will prevent electrical shorts and other potentially damaging results.
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2. Start spraying and swabbing
Grime build-up and loose dust particles go deeper than just the top of the keys or the scroll wheel. You need something that can easily fit into those tight corners and small crevices.
This is where a can of compressed air comes in. Try Blow-Off, which is a compressed air duster for keyboards. Blowing compressed air into the keyboard will help remove crumbs, dust and anything else that may have nestled itself between or under the keys.
After getting under the keys, it’s time to go topside. Lightly wipe the tops of the keys and the palm rest with a microfiber cloth or a disinfectant wipe.
Similarly, your mouse can contain hidden particles of dust and grime under its scrolling wheel. You can turn the mouse upside down and continuously roll the wheel to loosen anything that may be stuck inside. Same drill — wipe it down with disinfect or a microfiber cloth for the best results.
Avoid wipes that may contain a high bleach content, as they can permanently damage the finish on your keyboard or mouse.
If fact, you can do away with chemical-filled wipes altogether. Instead, try this cleaning gel dust cleaner for keyboards. This simple and convenient cleaning kit is great for home and office electronics such as PC keyboards, car vents, cameras, printers, phones, calculators, speakers, air conditioners, TVs and other appliances.
It’s made of biodegradable material, not sticky to hands, smells sweet with lemon fragrance and provides no stimulation to skin. Simply take a piece of the cleaning gel, knead it into a ball, press the gel slowly into the keyboard and pull it out. Dust will be carried away with the cleaning gel. Easy peasy!
3. Make sure everything is dry
Before you plug everything back in again, be sure all components are dry. A little dampness can cause big problems and permanently ruin electronic devices once power is flowing through them.
It should only take about a minute for your mouse and keyboard to dry after cleaning, but if it seems to be taking a little longer, it’s worth the wait. Never power up any device until it is completely dry.
4. How to keep them clean
The simplest way to keep things clean is to refrain from eating next to or on top of your keyboard. This will keep crumbs from falling between the keys. If you had chicken wings, nachos or any other finger food, remember to wash up before putting greasy fingers on either the mouse or the keyboard.
Aside from not eating or drinking around the devices on your desk, it’s just as important to wipe them down on a regular basis. If you find yourself using your computer every day for long periods of time, consider wiping the computer and desk area at least once a week with a dust cloth. This will keep any germs or bacteria at bay.
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Keeping your computer accessories clean and crumb-free can help extend their lifespan, and make yours easier as well
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If your keyboard’s got that one (or more) key that sticks, crunches, or won’t bounce back after being pressed, it may be time for a deep clean. Same goes for your mouse. If your cursor is getting stuck on screen, it’s not always your computer’s fault — your mouse could be due for a little TLC.
Cleaning your laptop, keyboard and mouse isn’t just helpful for regular upkeep, it also helps prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. You don’t need to run a full-powered cleaning kit either; just a few little accessories could make a big difference.
How to Clean Your Computer Keyboard
We’re all guilty of eating at our workstations, sometimes even while working. But with time, crumbs accumulate between the keys, as well as dust and general nastiness from spills and various schmutz. The first step to dislodging all that dust is to simply shake it off: Turn your keyboard a little over 90 degrees upwards, so that the bottom edge below the spacebar is now against the table or desk, and gently tap it against the surface, knocking loose the remnants of a thousands snacks from the past months or years.
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Canned air, or one of its equivalents, can really be a huge help to get in there between the keys and blast out the leftover dirt that wasn’t shaken loose too.
Once the insides have been aired out, grab a microfiber cloth to clean the keys themselves, because all those times you’ve typed with chip-dust on your fingers add up. Water works well, but if you want to step up the cleaning power with a DIY concoction, you can mix one part water with one part vinegar, or water with a bit of dish soap (just make sure to unplug your keyboard or turn off your computer beforehand).
To really kill anything living on your keys though, you can mix two parts water with one part rubbing alcohol – but if you’re going that route, be sure to use at least 70% or pure isopropyl. Whatever you decide to do, don’t overspray it – a little liquid on the cloth is okay, but getting any between the keys and into the electronics is something to avoid at all costs.
Finally, dive into every crevasse with a cotton swab or specially-designed brush, scooping up any stubborn particles that remain, while drying and absorbing any leftover liquid.
How to Clean Your Computer Mouse
Mice are a bit easier to clean – a swab or brush can be handy to clean the little laser tracker or ball on the underside, and a similar, gentle wipe-down with a microfiber cloth all-around will do just fine.
But to take things a step further and really do an intensely deep clean, we’ve picked out four additional tools to help keep your workstation tidy and debris-free. At the end of the day, clean gear runs better, and lasts longer, ultimately saving you money in the long term.
1. ColorCoral Keyboard Cleaning Gel
Who ever thought dusting could be kind of fun? This gel does the job of removing crud from between your keys, and is reusable over and over. Simply squish the pad into your keyboard, getting its goopy gel between each and every space, and be amazed (and maybe a little grossed out) at what it picks up.
Not only is it satisfying to use, and like a mini-stress ball with each squeeze, it also smells great and is made of biodegradable material.
This goes beyond just keyboards though, and the opportunities for picking up dust and dirt are all around: use it on TVs, stereos, vents, ACs, car cupholders and controls — really any surface, since it won’t leave a slimy residue behind. It also works great for picking up pet fur, crumbs, hair, and any other nasty debris in hard to reach spots.
2. Metro Computer Vacuum/Blower
To really go all-out (or all-in) on cleaning your keyboard, consider this powerful vacuum and blower in one.
At three pounds, it’s lightweight, but probably won’t stray far from your desk anyway. The 19-inch flexible hose makes angling towards any and all keyboard gaps possible, and includes all the necessary tools to really do a deep clean.
On the flipside, you can also blast out the dust too by switching to the blower setting and dislodging stubborn debris that vacuuming couldn’t get. It’s also a nice, (as well as environmentally friendlier) alternative to buying cases of canned air.
This set gets you everything you need to start cleaning out your keyboard and mouse right away.
3. Portable Plastic Handle Nylon Anti Static Brushes
This series of brushes is like an artist’s toolkit, but for cleaning out your keyboard, mouse and even inside your laptop.
The brushes are all anti-static and temperature-resistant, safely designed to not scratch up any parts, and they work well with other electronics too.
The set contains a nice variety of stiff-bristled brushes for sweeping out gunk, as well as tweezers for reaching far back and pulling out the bigger dust bunnies.
Though it can be great for detailed cleaning on its own, it really works best when paired up with an air-blowing product.
4. OXO Good Grips Sweep and Swipe Laptop Cleaner
OXO has been a reliable manufacturer of household cleaning and cooking tools for 30 years, offering well over 1000 products. The company started out designing utensils to be easy to hold, grip, and use efficiently, and this double-sided brush does the job for both keyboards as well as laptop screens.
Both the brush and cloth ends are retractable, easily sliding up or down depending on what you need to clean. The nicely soft brush breezes away dirt, while the microfiber pad can remove smudges and streaks from your screen. When finished, simply retract it back into the center, keeping it protected until the next use.
Updated on March 27, 2020 by Md Armughanuddin
Gamers spent a considerable amount of time on their PCs, and that is a pretty obvious fact. Due to the recent coronavirus outbreak, it has been advised to put ample focus on sanitation and disinfecting the stuff around you. While people do take precautions regarding a lot of stuff, they often forget about their keyboard and mouse. Most germs find their way via our hands, and we often don’t wash our hands before using our peripherals. This makes our peripherals a breeding place for a number of germs and that is something should be taken care of. Moreover, if multiple people use your peripherals, it makes the situation worse. Here is how to disinfect and sanitize your keyboard and mouse:-
How to Sanitize and Disinfect your keyboard?
For membrane keyboards-
- Unplug your keyboard
- To clean membrane keyboards, you need compressed air and rubbing alcohol. First off, start with the can of compressed air. Tilt your keyboard to the sides and blow compressed air on the sides of your keyboard. Once that’s done, move to the areas between the keys and ensure all the loose dust particles between them is blown away.
- If you have disinfectant wipes, you can use them to wipe the top of your keyboard. Make sure you don’t keep rubbing the same side of the wipe after it gets dirty
- Next up, we are going to use a cotton swab or sponge along with the rubbing alcohol. Dip the sponge or swab in rubbing alcohol and wipe the keys and its sides with it. This will get rid of all the remaining dirt between the keys.
- Finally, you can clean the rest of the keyboard with rubbing alcohol to make sure everything is clean.
For mechanical keyboards-
- Unplug your keyboard
- If you have a mechanical keyboard, you can clean your keyboard better. First off, start by taking out the keycap of your keyboard using a keycap puller.
- Use disinfectant wipes or a clean cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean the keyboard.
- As far as the keycaps are concerned, you need denture tablets or dish soap to properly clean them. Put the keycaps in a container with warm water and add soap or denture tablets.
- Make sure you dry the keycaps properly before plugging them back in.
- If you don’t want to take out your keycaps, you can use the same process as we used for membrane keyboards
How to Sanitize and Disinfect your mouse?
- Unplug your mouse
- Use a microfiber cloth to wipe off your mouse completely first
- Next, you need isopropyl or rubbing alcohol. Dip a cotton swab in it and use it to clean the small spaces in your mouse. Make sure you the flip the mouse over and clean the underneath of the mouse properly as well.
- After you are done with your mouse, make sure you clean your mousepad as well. Use a tub and pour some warm water. Add dish soap to it and dip the mousepad in it. Use a sponge to rub it off completely. Once you’re done, take it out and dry it.
That’s all you need to know about cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting your keyboard and mouse. Do keep in mind that this is very important if you take into considerations the recent scenario. So make sure you take out some time to take care of your peripherals as well.
If those keys are feeling a little grimy, start here.
Right up there with your phone, computer keyboards are one of the most-touched surfaces in homes and offices everywhere—meaning they’re also one of the germiest. In fact, one 2018 study found that 96% of 25 keyboards sampled were contaminated with bacteria. The possible culprits: Unwashed hands, all the crumbs from your 2 p.m. stress snacks, and moisture-trapping dust, to name a few.
But with dozens of keys, copious cracks and crevices, and sensitive electronic parts underneath, keyboards are notoriously difficult to clean. The same study found that, after disinfection, only about 16% of keyboards completely reduced their bacterial contamination. The researchers believe this could be due to inadequate buffing between the keys, where all the gunk tends to accumulate.
So, a regular cleaning is in order. And with the right equipment, it doesn’t take too much time or effort—just ask Melissa Maker, owner of home cleaning company Clean My Space in Toronto. “When cleaning a keyboard, you have a couple of things to think about,” Maker says. “What falls inside is the first thing to worry about, and the second is the surface of the keys.”
Whether your keyboard has seen one too many desk lunches or your laptop is about to become your de facto office (looking at you, people stuck working from home), this cleaning technique only takes a few minutes and will leave your keyboard squeaky clean. It might even work better after a bit of elbow grease.
What equipment do I need to clean my keyboard?
Keyboard cleaning only takes a few household items, according to Maker. Some of this equipment is interchangeable—a soft toothbrush can fill in for compressed air, for example—but it’s best to have all of it at hand, just in case.
- Compressed air
- Disinfecting wipes
- Rubbing alcohol
- Microfiber cloth
- Toothbrush
- Cotton swabs
How do I clean under the keys?
To play it safe, make sure you shut your computer down first. External keyboards should be disconnected from your computer completely. Then, “start by taking the keyboard and tilting it up on its short side, straight up, over a flat surface,” Maker explains. For laptops, aim for a 75-degree angle, per Apple’s website.
❗Always shut down your computer before cleaning any parts.
“If you have compressed air, you can start doing short blasts from top to bottom to squeeze any of those crumbs out of the areas between keys.” Now, use a clean toothbrush to sweep out larger or stubborn debris in short strokes. (For external keyboards, a toothbrush alone works just fine for this step, but compressed air will be gentler on laptops.)
It’s important to do this process top to bottom, ensuring that crumbs and dust fall out instead of getting lodged in a forgotten corner. When they fall out, sweep them up and send them packing. “This is not a step to be skipped,” Maker says. “It is shocking how much stuff comes out of there. But when you think about how many snacks you’ve had sitting over your computer, then it won’t surprise you.”
How do I clean the surface of my keyboard?
Here, Maker explains, you have a choice: You can use either a disinfectant wipe or a microfiber cloth coated with diluted rubbing alcohol (equal parts water and alcohol). Apple recommends a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Do not use aerosol cleaning sprays or wipes that contain bleach.
“Clean the keys and the surrounding area by wiping them and keeping them wet for about three minutes if you’re looking to disinfect,” Maker says. In this case, “wet” doesn’t mean soaking—you want to see moisture on the surface of the keys, but liquids shouldn’t be allowed to soak into the keyboard. If you’re using a wipe, you may need to squeeze out excess liquid. You can also spray a cotton swab with the diluted alcohol and use that to clean hard-to-reach areas.
After you give it a gentle sweep, let your keyboard rest for a few minutes while it dries off—and always make sure everything is 100% dry before powering back on.
✅ Depending on your device’s specific user manual, many manufacturers recommend removing the keys completely (they should pop right off) for a deep-cleaning at least once per year.
How often should I clean my keyboard?
In the same study above, the researchers reported that 52% of people said they clean their keyboard about once or twice a month—but to properly disinfect, you should aim to clean it with a disinfectant wipe daily, the authors say. That said, if you’re the only person using your computer, most of that bacteria likely won’t cause you any serious harm, and other research finds that once per week is okay.
But prevention is key here: Washing your hands regularly and keeping snacks away from your computer will keep the area less grimy.
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