Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Regular cleaning
• Method 2 of 3: If you have spilled
• Method 3 of 3: Alternative method for when you have spilled
• Tips
• Warnings

Your computer keyboard gets dirty quickly, especially if you eat or smoke a lot in the vicinity of your keyboard. If a keyboard gets too dirty, it may not work properly. Certain keys get stuck or some characters keep being typed in without you doing anything. Here's how to get your keyboard clean again. Note: any warranty may be voided by the methods in this article.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Regular cleaning

1. Turn off your computer and disconnect the keyboard cable before cleaning. If you have a USB keyboard, you can unplug the cable from the computer while it is still on. Do not do this if you have an older computer. First wait until the computer is switched off.
2. Turn the keyboard upside down and use a can of compressed air to blow out anything that doesn't belong inside the keyboard. Do this in a place where you can easily clean up the fallen dirt. Turn your keyboard upside down and tap it a few times. Some dirt will probably fall out already. Change the position and tap a bit harder to get as much dirt out as possible.
3. Clean the sides of the keys with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol (isopropyl alcohol).
4. For a more thorough cleaning, remove the keys first. You do this by gently pushing up each key with a screwdriver or similar object. Once the keys are removed, you can blow out the dirt with your aerosol of compressed air. Clean all surfaces with a damp, but not too wet, cloth. Make sure that no moisture enters the keyboard.
5. Clean the keys one by one and then put them back in the housing.

Method 2 of 3: If you have spilled

1. Turn off the computer and disconnect the keyboard from the computer as soon as possible.
2. Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it up and down.
3. Dry the keyboard as best as possible with a cloth while holding the keyboard upside down.
4. Keep it upside down for as long as possible. If necessary, turn it upside down all night.
   • Take a sealable container (eg a Tupperware tray), fill it with (uncooked) rice, place the keyboard upside down and sprinkle another layer of rice on top. The rice will extract the moisture from the keyboard.

Method 3 of 3: Alternative method for when you have spilled

1. Turn off your computer and detach the keyboard.
2. Turn the keyboard upside down and remove all screws.
3. Separate the half containing the keys from the bottom. Set the bottom aside.
4. The keyboard may also be clamped. Also check for hidden screws under labels.
5. Turn the buttons half over, with the bottom of the buttons facing up. Press the clips of each key to remove the keys one by one. The space bar is probably stuck with a metal clip, it is more difficult to release.
6. Fill a container with hot water and mild detergent.
7. Place the keys in the container and clean them with a brush.
8. Remove the keys from the container and rinse them under running water. Now let the keys dry or dry them with a hair dryer.
9. Place the empty top of the keyboard in the tray and clean it with a brush.
10. When everything is dry you can reassemble the keyboard.
11. Press the halves of the keyboard firmly together, even in the middle, if it is not properly seated there the keys will not work properly.
12. Reconnect your keyboard to your PC, turn on the computer and see if all keys are working properly.
13. Ready!

Tips

• If necessary, leave the space bar in place. This large fingerboard is difficult to remove and can break easily.
• It works differently with laptops. Usually it is not necessary to remove the keys. A cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol and a can of compressed air should be enough to clean the keyboard.
• The keys on a laptop are difficult to remove and replace, especially the space bar and the Enter key. With a laptop you run the risk of damaging the keys or something else.
• Take a photo of your keyboard before removing the keys so that you can easily see which key belongs where.
• If you haven't taken a photo and you can't remember where the keys belong, you can copy the location of the keys on the onscreen keyboard. Start your computer and look for the onscreen keyboard.
• You can also put all the keys in a laundry bag (such a bag that you can use to wash your socks) and put it in the washing machine with the bag and all, along with your clothes. Clean the empty keyboard with the vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth.
• Some people put the entire keyboard in the dishwasher. However, this is not without risk, you can irreparably damage the keyboard. In any case, let the keyboard dry thoroughly before using it again. Never put a wireless keyboard in the dishwasher.
• An alternative to a compressed air aerosol is a hair dryer. The heat is not a problem.

Warnings

• Once you have removed the keys, keep them away from small children and pets. They can choke on it.
• Do not inhale the air that comes out of the aerosol can of compressed air. The contents are poisonous and very harmful to health.
• Never hold the aerosol upside down. Then the liquid gets into the atomizer and that damages the keyboard. Only use the aerosol in a well-ventilated area.
• If you are using rice to absorb the moisture, watch out that small grains of rice do not get into the keyboard.