How to Clean Your Computer Keyboard
Think about how many times a day you touch your keyboard … ready to clean it yet?
Up next in How to Understand Computers (58 videos)
Boost your computer know-how with these Howcast videos.
You Will Need
- A keyboard disconnected from a desktop computer, or a laptop keyboard
- A flathead screwdriver
- A bowl of warm water
- Dish-washing soap
- A towel
- A can of compressed air
- Cotton balls
- Rubbing alcohol
- A digital camera
- A hand-held vacuum or upright vacuum with a hand-held attachment
Steps
-
Step 1
Shake keyboard
If you're cleaning a laptop keyboard, remove the cord and the battery. Flip the keyboard upside down and gently shake it to dislodge any debris.
-
For future reference, take a photo of your keyboard before you dismantle it.
-
Step 2
Remove keys
Turn the keyboard right-side up and rest on a flat surface. Slide the tip of a flathead screwdriver under the bottom left key, pry it free, and soak in a bowl of soapy water. Repeat with the rest of the small keys. Leave the larger keys – such as the space bar, enter, and shift – since they're harder to reattach.
-
Step 3
Clean and dry keys
Rinse the keys individually in fresh water and lay them on a towel to air-dry. Let the keys dry for 24 hours.
-
Step 4
Spray compressed air
Take a can of compressed air and spray the entire keyboard shell.
-
You can also run a hand-held vacuum over the shell.
-
Step 5
Dab with alcohol
Dip the end of a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and run it along the board, making sure to reach all the nooks and crannies.
-
Step 6
Reassemble
When the keys have dried completely, reassemble the keyboard by snapping each key back into place.
-
Step 7
Keep it clean
Your keyboard looks like new! To help keep it clean, wash your hands before each use and never eat or drink while typing.
-
The world’s fastest typist, Barbara Blackburn, reached a top speed of 212 words per minute.
