Many studies have found that a typical computer keyboard can have more germs than a toilet seat. This is why it’s crucial to regularly clean and disinfect your keyboard. But how do you clean it without damaging it? Here’s the right way to clean and sanitize your computer keyboard.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disinfecting Your Keyboard

To clean a regular keyboard, start by unplugging it or removing the batteries. Then, turn it upside down and shake it to get rid of any loose debris. Next, use compressed air to blow dust out of hard-to-reach areas, and clean tight spaces with cotton swabs dipped in disinfectant.

When cleaning a laptop keyboard, first turn off your laptop and unplug it from any power source to avoid damage. If you can, remove the battery as well.

Removing Loose Debris: A Pre-Cleaning Step

Start by removing loose debris from your keyboard by turning it upside down over a trash bin and gently shaking or tapping the bottom. This action will help dirt particles and food crumbs fall out. Additionally, tilt it side to side and at various angles to shake out any remaining dirt and crumbs.

Using Compressed Air to Eliminate Dust

To remove excess debris from your keyboard, hold it at a 75-degree angle, almost upright, and use a can of compressed air to spray from left to right across the keys, maintaining a distance of about half an inch. After spraying once, rotate the keyboard and spray it again to ensure thorough cleaning.

Ensure you attach the straw provided with the can of compressed air to better direct the airflow. However, avoid turning the can upside down while spraying your keyboard, as this could release the liquid propellant, which might seep into the gaps between the keys.

The Right Way to Use Cotton Swabs on Keyboards

To clean around each key, lightly dampen a cotton swab with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and use it to wipe and scrub the hard-to-reach areas. Be careful not to soak the cotton swabs too much to avoid excess liquid getting under the keys.

To tackle tough stains on your keyboard, gently scrub them in a circular motion until they’re gone. After scrubbing, use a soft cloth to wipe away any remaining dust or moisture.

It’s crucial to use isopropyl alcohol with a high concentration, between 90-99%, when cleaning your keyboard. This ensures that most of the solution is alcohol, which evaporates quickly and minimizes water content that can harm electronics. Using 99% isopropyl alcohol is particularly effective because it dries very fast, helping to clean sticky keys without damaging your keyboard.

Maintaining Key Cleanliness with Soft Cloths

To clean your entire keyboard, lightly moisten a lint-free or microfiber cloth with a bit of isopropyl alcohol. Use this cloth to gently wipe down your keyboard, making sure to clean the top of each key as well.

If dirt doesn’t come off easily, you can slightly dampen your cloth with a small amount of water. However, ensure that you do not apply water directly into any openings, and never spray water directly onto your laptop keyboard.

Be sure to thoroughly scrub the space bar and enter key since these are the most frequently used keys on your keyboard and can accumulate more dirt and oils.

Sanitizing with Disinfectant Wipes: Do’s and Don’ts

To sanitize your keyboard, gently use a disinfectant wipe over the surface. If the wipe is too wet, squeeze out the excess liquid before starting. After using the wipe, go over the keyboard with a soft cloth to remove any residue.

However, avoid using cleaning products that contain bleach, as they can damage the protective coating on the keys. For cleaning Mac keyboards, Apple specifically recommends using Clorox or Lysol wipes to sanitize safely without harming the keyboard.

Detaching and Cleaning Keyboard Keys

For a more thorough cleaning, if your keyboard has removable keycaps, you can take them off to clean underneath. However, every keyboard is different, so be sure to consult your owner’s manual before you start removing any keys to ensure you do it correctly and safely.

After removing your keys, use compressed air to gently blow away any debris. Next, wash the keycaps using soap and water or alcohol. For more stubborn dirt, scrub the keys gently with a toothbrush. This method will help ensure your keyboard is thoroughly clean.

Once your keycaps are dry, reattach them to your keyboard, snapping each one back into its proper position. To ensure accuracy, consider taking a photo of your keyboard before you start removing keys. This way, you can refer back to the picture to make sure all keys are placed correctly.