How Clean is Your Keyboard

Most of us have heard the rumor that our keyboard could be dirtier than a toilet seat. While that statement is startling, many wonder if it’s actually true. While levels of germs vary from keyboard to keyboard, some have shown higher levels than those on a toilet seat, which is a frightening fact.

If that isn’t enough to get you to clean your keyboard, consider the fact that you touch it every day, when you’re sick and when you’re eating. If you don’t clean it frequently enough, those germs can rapidly accumulate and spread to other items on your desk. Here are some tips that can help you clean your keyboard quickly and effectively.

Detach the keyboard

No matter what cleaning method you use, it’s important that you detach the keyboard first. This can prevent you from accidentally performing certain actions on your computer. It also prevents damage to your computer, which could be costly.

For a quick fix

A can of compressed air can quickly get rid of the majority of loose dirt and debris. The dust and dirt that accumulates beneath those keys can get thick pretty quickly. This clears that right up.

Turn the keyboard upside down and spray the compressed air onto the keys. Then tap the keyboard on a flat surface several times to get rid of everything that came loose. Follow that up by swiping the edges of the keys with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to get rid of most of the germs.

For a more thorough cleaning

If merely getting rid of loose dirt is not sufficient for you, try taking off the keys for a deeper clean. They can be detached by gently prying them up with a screwdriver or a similar tool.

Once they’ve been removed, use the air compressor to eliminate the loose dirt first. Then wipe the entire keyboard with a moist cloth. Finish it off by again cleaning each of the keys with the isopropyl alcohol.

After a spill

If you only need to know what to do after you’ve spilled on your keyboard, it’s simple. Immediately unplug the keyboard, turn it upside down and use a cloth to soak up all of the excess liquid. Then leave the keyboard upside down for as long as possible to make sure it is completely dry.

For more tips on cleaning your keyboard, check out this guide