You may also want to check some of our other cleaning guides, like How to Clean Your Computer, How to Clean Your Smartphone, and, last but not least, How to Clean Yourself. You can definitely clean your keyboard with stuff you already have in the house, so don’t feel like you have to buy special cleaning supplies. Here are some things you might consider and a few household alternatives you likely have lying around.
Brush: I have had a pop-up brush ($7.50) for a few years, and it’s perfect for sweeping debris out of your keyboard, but you could use any soft-bristled brush you have in the home (a toothbrush or a 1.5 inch paint brush can work).Compressed air: A 10-ounce can of Dust-Off ($11) will last you for ages and can be very effective at blasting things loose from your keyboard.Cloth: You probably have microfiber cloths already, and any cloth will do, but I have found the fancy thin ones you use for glasses work best—pack of microfiber cloths ($9).Cleaning slime: A tub of cleaning gel ($6) can be effective for removing dust from hard-to-reach places like a keyboard, but I don’t recommend it. Apart from general ickiness, it leaves a residue, gets dirty, and deteriorates quickly, leaving you with a slimy mess that can’t be eco-friendly.Cotton swabs: You might have Q-Tips already, or you can snag cheap cotton swabs ($3) and use them to clean between keys. Wooden toothpicks work well for caked-on grime.Isopropyl alcohol: Dampening your cloth or cotton swab with water will usually do the trick, but alcohol is a very effective cleaner. This Max Professional spray ($13) is easy to use.Magic eraser: For scuff marks and stubborn dirt, magic erasers ($5) made of melamine can be amazingly effective. Sometimes regular pencil erasers can do the trick.Keycap removal tool: If you’re really going to town and deep cleaning your mechanical keyboard, you may want a keycap removal tool ($7). (This one includes a switch puller and a pair of brushes.)
You probably won’t need most of this stuff unless your keyboard is truly filthy, so try cleaning it with what you have before springing for extras. It’s time to get to work. Start by turning your computer off, disconnecting your keyboard, and removing cables. Clear your desk or table and assemble your cleaning tools. For relatively well-kept keyboards, the following four steps might be enough: If you have spills, stains, or oily residues, you might need to try the following steps: Still dirty? If you have a mechanical keyboard (do not attempt to take any other kind of keyboard apart), there is one final set of steps you can try: If that hasn’t left you with a sparkling, good-as-new keyboard, it’s time to shop for a new one. Check out our Best Mechanical Keyboards guide.
