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Cleaning a Computer Keyboard

September 22, 2006
Cleaning a Computer Keyboard

409

First, I turn off the computer. Turn your keyboard upside down and shake it to get residual loose crumbs, dirt, etc. out. Do this several times. Then get a paper towel or soft cloth and spray the cloth with something like 409. Then start cleaning those keys. It'll get all the grime, makeup, etc. off the keys. Clean your phone while you're at it. It's a great time to get the yuck off your items.
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By Peggygv

Alcohol

I do it the old fashioned way: Disconnect the keyboard from the computer. Pop off all of the keys with a butter knife using a gentle upward motion. Use q-tip slightly dampened with rubbing alcohol to clean inside and soft cloth slightly dampened with same to clean individual key cases. When finished, have fun popping the keys back into their proper place.

By Comtech090

Canned Air and Q-Tips

Use canned air first to dislodge the dust and dirt, then use alcohol and a q-tip.

By Cheryl from Missouri

Shower Cap

Just a tip for after you get your keyboard clean. I put a clear shower cap over mine as my kids like to eat and drink at the computer, I was getting tired of looking at the gunk and having being the only one to clean it, the work. I just buy a package of clear shower caps at the dollar store. They come 6 to 12 to a package. When one gets ripped up or grungy I just slip on a new one. The new keyboard has been clean ever since.
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By Julie

RE: Cleaning a Computer Keyboard

As an added note the shower caps also make great bowl covers when you can not find the right lid. My mother in law told me that she loved the one that I left at her house after a family get together. (08/31/2006)

By Julie

Disherwasher

I know this sounds weird, but this really works. I have worked in Computer Tech Support for years and have even done this myself. When you will be gone for a while or will not be using your computer for a couple days, disconnect the keyboard from the computer and put it in the top rack of your dishwasher, upsidedown and wash it. There is nothing inside of the keyboard to hurt it. When it is one, turn upsidedown again, and let it air dry a couple days. If it is a warm windy day outside, you can also set it outside to dry out and it will dry alot quicker. I promise this works.
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Editor's Note: Water has meant death to keyboards for me, so this method scares me.

By Jenny

Dishwasher?

I'd not be willing to test that dishwasher idea personally. I've had keyboards killed due to water spills. Well, OK, one to water... but two to Coke. A higher quality keyboard could likely handle it, but I'd not trust a discount one.

By Qryztufre

Sink Sprayer

I wash mine in sink and use the sprayer to rinse it. Then I hang it outside for the day. Always works for me.

By jodee

Makeup Sponge Applicators

Small sponge applicators, like the ones that come with eye shadow, will easily fit in small grooves to clean a computer keyboard.

By IMAQT1962

I use tapered Make-Up Sponges Dipped In Fabulous 70% Alcohol To Clean Keyboards. Works for me.

By JK Finnell from Rifle, CO

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17 More Solutions

This page contains the following solutions.

May 21, 2013

I found to my surprise that using cardboard from a toilet paper roll, about the size of a large paperclip, makes an excellent hair and debris picker-upper from off the keyboard.

 
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January 26, 2012

Take an old toothbrush and wet the bristles with vinegar, then press the bristles against a towel so the bristles are almost dry. Use the toothbrush between the keys gently, just like you would if brushing your teeth.

 
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October 17, 2017

When I have guests over, I often get questioned on how I keep my keyboard so new and white. The truth is that my keyboard is NOT always clean.

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I clean my keyboard bi-weekly with Q-tips and isopropyl alcohol. Try this and your keyboard will be brand new again!

A brand new looking computer keyboard after cleaning.

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 239 Posts
January 9, 2017

Before you throw out a Post-it Note, use the sticky side to clean around small hard to access places such as under the keys of your keyboard.

Post-it Note For Cleaning Keyboard - cleaning under keys on keyboard with Post-it Note


Silver Post Medal for All Time! 297 Posts
September 9, 2010

Dip an old toothbrush in nail polish remover and scrub debris from your keyboard. Make sure to shake out the excess nail polish remover before scrubbing the keyboard.

 
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April 26, 2010

Reading the tip on cleaning a keyboard made me think of this tip. If you have a keyboard that seems dead or has too many sticky keys and you're about to pitch it, try this, it worked for me.

 
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March 30, 2011

I use a moist Q-Tip all around and between the keys. Then I use the crevice tool of my vacuum to suck up the dust that is left over.

 
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January 20, 2009

Use your hair dryer on the cool setting to clean your computer keyboard instead of spending money on expensive canned air. Turn the keyboard upside down and blow the air up into it.

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I clean the tower (CPU) now and then as well. Dust and hair accumulate around the fan and vents can cause all sorts of problems, such as over-heating.

 
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August 5, 2011

I use alcohol wipes, such as those used for wiping skin before giving oneself an injection for diabetes. They clean the keys and spaces between them really well. They leave no residue, and are economical. Keep away from pets and children.

 
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August 4, 2011

You can purchase keyboards that will go through the dishwasher, or wash by hand. I don't have one, but you can also purchase a can of pressurized air with a long thin straw attachment to shoot a blast of air into the small spaces between the keys.

 
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Silver Post Medal for All Time! 277 Posts
December 12, 2007

An easy way to clean your computer keyboard is by wiping it with makeup brushes. They make it easier to get between the keys. The inexpensive brushes, large or small, work just fine.

 
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August 6, 2011

When my keyboard need cleaning, I made a sketch of where each key belonged, and then gently lifted each key off using a wooden kabob stick. It was then easy to clean. I just clipped the keys back on, cleaning each one as I went.

 
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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 118 Posts
June 2, 2017

Use makeup brushes for more than just makeup. They are also great for cleaning. I change out my make up brushes often.

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Because it is so hard to discard them, I make sure to use them in another way.

Make Up Brush for Cleaning - using brush to clean keyboard

February 25, 2012

When I worked in a pharmacy, we had several computers that were shared by all the staff within the pharmacy. At each shift change, one of us would go around with a paper towel that had alcohol on it and wipe down the keys.

 
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Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.


Silver Post Medal for All Time! 355 Posts
May 20, 2017

How do I clean my computer keyboard?


Answers


Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,298 Posts
May 20, 20170 found this helpful

Use a can of compressed air

 

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
May 21, 20170 found this helpful

Nothing wet while plugged in. We use compressed air at work. You can also turn it upside down and shake out any crumbs. You can use a barely damp cloth to wipe off the keys while it is unplugged.

 

Silver Post Medal for All Time! 355 Posts
May 21, 20170 found this helpful

Thank you!

 
May 21, 20170 found this helpful

Use a large makeup brush

 

Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,246 Posts
May 22, 20170 found this helpful

Try an interdental brush!!

www.thriftyfun.com/Clean-Laptop-Keys-With-Interdental...

 
May 30, 20170 found this helpful

Besides compressed air, www.amazon.com/.../s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A3012916011... (Affiliate Link)

If you don't have anything on hand you can flip your keyboard over and tap on it, or use a sticky note

 
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January 21, 2012

A technician pulled a lot of dust out of my son's keyboard, after his fan quit working. How do you clear dust out of your keyboard?

By Tamara

Answers


Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 282 Feedbacks
January 23, 20120 found this helpful

There are those who will say canned air is a good idea, but the IT guys at my job before I retired in '09 used mini-vacuum attachments and pulled the dust out. They said the canned air only blows the dust around, doesn't remove it, and that dust in the motherboard killer.

Use the brush attachment in the mini-vac kit to clean the dust and debris from the key board and make sure to also run it over any vents you can see. I use a MacBook now, but when I had a PC I would vac the vents on the CPU tower weekly once the IT guys told me that dust accumulation on the fan blades would slow down the cooling abilities, and eventually kill the motherboard through overheating.

Make sure the computer is turned off when you clean it.

I use the mini-vac once a week now on the laptop, front to back. Scares me to think about the cost of replacing it!

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 172 Posts
January 23, 20120 found this helpful

Frugalsurvie, where do you find a mini vacuum?

 

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 846 Posts
January 23, 20120 found this helpful

My desktop keyboard doesn't get very dusty under the keys but about every six months I gently pop the keys off one row at a time with a butter knife being sure to keep the keys lined up in the same order on the desk. Then I simply use dampened Q-tips to clean the exposed keyboard area, replace the keys and start on the next row. It only takes about fifteen minutes tops and I don't have to spend any money other than for the Q-tips which are inexpensive and already have on hand. For regular exposed key cleaning I just use my feather duster weekly when dusting the furniture.

As someone else mentioned; be sure to turn your computer off when cleaning the keyboard (or the monitor or tower).

 

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 969 Posts
January 23, 20120 found this helpful

This is just one sample of the mini vacs. You can also get them at the office supply stores. I hope that helps.

www.scientificsonline.com/miniature-vacuum-brush.html?cm_mmc...

PBP

 
 

Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 282 Feedbacks
January 24, 20120 found this helpful

LanieGirl, in addition to the link and places PoorButProud posted, you can try in the computer section of the big box discount stores-that's where I got mine (WalMrat but I've also seen them in Target). I think I've seen them in drug stores, too.

@Deeli, LOL, my cats loved the feather duster and would chase it whenever I used it to tidy up around the computer. Little beggars shredded it one day. The vacuum on the other hand wasn't their favourite household cleaning device:)

 
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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 169 Posts
April 1, 2010

A few years ago I thought I was so bright when I cleaned my keyboard with the edge of an index card. That is completely outdated. Today I learned to use the sticky edge of a Post It. I got gunk out of there I didn't even know I had brought near my computer.

 
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