Keeping Your Keyboard Clean

No matter how clean your hands, keyboards always collect dust and grime. If you are a coffee-drinker, your keyboard may even be a bit sticky as a result of spillage. Obviously, none of this is good for the keyboard, and while it may not be dangerous, the build-up of dirt will certainly make the keyboard less responsive to touch, and may cause keys to seize up entirely.

To clean the keyboard, you will need to remove all the keys so it is a good idea to draw a map or take a digital picture of their location, before removing them. Then switch the PC off and unplug the keyboard.

Remove each key carefully using a screwdriver to lever it off the board - each one will come off, with a little patience. There may be springs attached to keys so keep them in a safe place.

Rub the outside of the keyboard with water or medicinal (rubbing) alcohol, and shake the keyboard gently upside down to remove dust. Brush the keyboard all over with a clean household paintbrush to dislodge other dust.

You can either clean the key tops manually using rubbing alcohol or water, or tie them tightly and securely in a cheesecloth bag, and run the bag through a dishwasher on a cool setting. Then replace the keys and springs, using the map from earlier on.