Subscribe

How to safely clean your grimy keyboard

Insights overview

That keyboard you use every day is likely harboring more than just dust and crumbs. Studies have shown that the average office keyboard can contain more bacteria than a toilet seat, making it a hotspot for germs that can impact team health and productivity. 

For businesses, maintaining clean equipment is a fundamental part of operational excellence. In today's hybrid environments, managing a fleet of devices for a remote work team means ensuring every tool is in top condition, right down to the keyboard. A proactive approach to hardware hygiene prevents costly repairs and replacements down the line.

Fortunately, learning how to clean my keyboard safely is a straightforward process. With the right tools and techniques, you can eliminate germs, restore performance, and extend the life of your equipment without causing damage. This guide will provide you with the expert-backed steps to do it right.

In this article

  • Why a clean keyboard matters for professionals
  • The essential tools you will need for the job
  • A step-by-step guide for quick and deep cleaning
  • Special considerations for different keyboard types

Why a clean keyboard matters for professionals

In a professional setting, the state of your equipment reflects the state of your operations. A clean keyboard is not just about aesthetics. It is a critical component of a healthy, efficient, and secure work environment. For IT managers and enterprise leaders, prioritizing device hygiene offers tangible benefits that contribute directly to the bottom line.

Protecting employee health

Keyboards are high-touch surfaces that can easily spread germs and bacteria. Regular cleaning minimizes the transmission of illness, which can lead to fewer sick days and a more productive workforce. A hygienic workspace demonstrates a company's commitment to its employees' wellbeing.

Improving performance and longevity

Dust, crumbs, and other debris can work their way under the keycaps, causing keys to stick, become unresponsive, or fail entirely. These performance issues disrupt workflow and can lead to frustrating user experiences. Proactive cleaning prevents this buildup, ensuring every keyboard, from a standard Microsoft model to a high-end mechanical one, functions as intended for its full lifecycle.

Protecting IT investments

Keyboards, especially specialized or ergonomic models, represent a significant cost when deployed across an organization. A simple and regular cleaning routine is one of the most cost-effective maintenance tasks you can perform, preventing premature failure and reducing the total cost of ownership for your IT assets.

The essential tools you will need for the job

Before you begin, gathering the right tools will make the cleaning process safer and more effective. Using improper materials, such as harsh chemicals or dripping-wet cloths, can permanently damage your keyboard's sensitive electronics. Here is a list of recommended supplies for a thorough and safe cleaning.

  • Compressed air: This is the go-to tool for blowing out dust and debris from between and under the keys. It is highly effective for a quick, non-invasive clean.
  • Isopropyl alcohol (70%): A 70% solution is ideal because it is strong enough to disinfect surfaces and kill germs but evaporates quickly, minimizing the risk of liquid damage. Avoid higher concentrations, which can damage the finish on keycaps.
  • Microfiber cloths: These are soft, lint-free, and perfect for wiping down surfaces without leaving scratches or residue. You will want at least two: one for applying the cleaning solution and one for drying.
  • Cotton swabs and small brushes: These are essential for cleaning tight spaces around keys and in crevices where a cloth cannot reach. A soft-bristled brush, like a clean paintbrush or makeup brush, works well.
  • Keycap puller (for deep cleaning): If you have a mechanical keyboard, a keycap puller is the safest tool for removing keys without damaging them or the switches underneath.

If you are looking for information on how to clean a keyboard without compressed air, you have options. A manual rubber air blower (like those used for camera lenses) provides a great alternative. Cleaning slime or gel can also be effective at picking up dust and debris from tight spaces, but be sure to use a high-quality product that does not leave residue behind.

A step-by-step guide for quick and deep cleaning

Depending on how dirty your keyboard is, you can choose between a quick surface clean or a more intensive deep clean. We recommend a quick clean weekly and a deep clean every few months, depending on usage. Below, we outline several methods, effectively covering five ways to clean keyboard components thoroughly.

Method 1: The quick clean (how to clean a keyboard without removing keys)

This method is perfect for routine maintenance and can be done in just a few minutes.

  1. Disconnect your keyboard. Before you start, always unplug your USB keyboard or turn off your wireless one to prevent accidental keystrokes and electrical shorts. For a notebook, shut it down completely.
  2. Turn it upside down. Invert the keyboard and give it a few gentle shakes to dislodge any loose crumbs, dust, and debris. You can tap the back lightly to help this process.
  3. Use compressed air. Holding the can upright, use short bursts of air to blow out remaining debris. Work in a zigzag pattern across the keys to ensure you cover the entire surface.
  4. Wipe it down. Lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol. The cloth should not be wet enough to drip. Wipe the tops and sides of the keys and the keyboard frame to disinfect and remove grime.
  5. Detail with cotton swabs. For the tight spaces between keys, use a cotton swab lightly dipped in alcohol to clean away any stubborn buildup.

Method 2: The deep clean (how to clean a keyboard under keys)

For a truly pristine keyboard, a deep clean is necessary. This method is ideal for mechanical keyboards but should be approached with extreme caution for laptops.

  1. Take a picture. Before you remove any keys, take a clear photo of your keyboard layout with your phone. This will be an invaluable reference when it is time to put everything back together.
  2. Learn how to remove keyboard keys. For a mechanical keyboard, use a keycap puller to gently lift each key straight up. For larger keys like the spacebar or shift key, be mindful of stabilizer bars underneath. We strongly advise against attempting to learn how to remove keys from keyboard laptop models like a MacBook, as the delicate butterfly or scissor mechanisms are easily broken.
  3. Clean the base. With the keycaps removed, you have full access to the keyboard's base. Use compressed air or a soft brush to clear away all the accumulated debris. Follow up with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to wipe down the plate and remove any sticky residue.
  4. Wash the keycaps. Place the removed keycaps in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Let them soak for an hour, then use a small brush to scrub any remaining grime. Rinse them thoroughly and, most importantly, let them air dry completely before reattaching them. Any lingering moisture can damage the switches.
  5. Reassemble. Once the keycaps are 100% dry, press them back onto the switches according to the photo you took earlier. You should hear a satisfying click as each key snaps into place.

Special considerations for different keyboard types

Not all keyboards are created equal, and the cleaning approach should be adapted accordingly. Applying the wrong technique can lead to irreversible damage, so it is important to understand the specific needs of your hardware.

Cleaning laptop keyboards

When you need to know how to clean your keyboard laptop, caution is the most important rule. The components are integrated and delicate. Never spray any liquid directly onto the keyboard. Instead, apply a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to a microfiber cloth and gently wipe the surface. Avoid prying off the keys unless you are an experienced technician, as the underlying mechanisms are fragile and not designed for removal.

Cleaning mechanical keyboards

If your goal is to learn how to clean mechanical keyboard models, you are in luck. These are designed with customization and maintenance in mind, making them the easiest to deep clean. The switches are durable, and the keycaps are made to be removed. Just be sure to use a proper keycap puller to avoid damaging the keycaps or the switches.

Cleaning mechanical keyboards

Membrane keyboards, common in many office environments including those from manufacturers like Microsoft, fall somewhere in between. While their keycaps are not typically designed for easy removal, their sealed design offers some protection against debris. The quick cleaning method is usually sufficient to keep them in excellent working order. Focus on using compressed air and a thorough wipe-down.

Summary: Keeping your keyboard pristine

A clean keyboard is an essential part of a productive and healthy digital workspace. By incorporating a simple cleaning routine, you can prevent the buildup of germs and grime that cause performance issues and hardware failures. Regular maintenance is a small investment of time that pays significant dividends in device longevity and user satisfaction.

Whether you are performing a quick weekly wipe-down or a semi-annual deep clean, the methods outlined in this guide will help you do the job safely and effectively. Remember to always disconnect your device before cleaning and use the right tools, like isopropyl alcohol and microfiber cloths, to avoid damage.

Clean hardware is only half of the equation. Software hygiene—such as running regular malware scans and removing digital clutter—is just as important for maintaining a reliable system. With remote support tools like TeamViewer, IT professionals or even a trusted colleague can help you carry out these tasks securely, ensuring that both your physical and digital workspaces remain optimized and resilient.