This guide is an approved keyboard cleaning method from our product team to keep your gear free of dirt and grime.
New year, new you, right? Well, the keyboard you have in front of you probably hasn't come out of the box recently. As we flip our calendars again, this is a great opportunity to refresh and clean out your inventory of gear, and the keyboard is one device where neglecting the nooks and crannies can hurt your gear long-term.
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Maintaining a pristine keyboard is essential for ensuring its optimal performance and longevity. A keyboard free from crumbs, dust, crust, and dirt is not only visually appealing but also less prone to malfunctions. Neglecting the cleanliness of your keyboard can lead to sticky keys, unresponsive buttons, and even permanent damage.
Therefore, it's crucial to incorporate regular cleaning into your computer care routine.
Keyboard Cleaning Supplies
- Mild dish soap (not too foamy)
- Bowl of warm water
- Canned air
- Microfiber cloth
- Q-tips
Keycap & Keyboard Cleaning Steps
Unplug your keyboard — don’t want to break it while cleaning it!
Turn the keyboard upside down — give it a good shake to get some of the debris loose.
Using a keycap puller, start removing keycaps.(Pro tip: take a picture of your keyboard beforehand for reference, so you can easily return all the keys to the right place.)
After removing the keycaps, turn your keyboard upside down and give it a good ole shake once more. Do this outside so you won’t transfer all the dirt to your desk.
Soak your keycaps in warm soapy water — ideally, swish them around for the first 5-10 minutes, and then let them soak for an additional 45 minutes.
Use compressed canned air — shoot some canned air into the board to further remove any straggling lint or dirt.
Using the cloth dipped in soapy water and q-tips, wipe down your keyboard to your desired cleanliness level, making sure to remove excess moisture. Be sure towring out as much water from the cloth as possible — you don’t want to risk getting a drop of water in your keyboard. It's best to entirely avoid wiping the actual switches, especially the top, since any dampness could cause damage.
Remove the keycaps from their soapy water soak and wipe them down to clean any lingering grime, if necessary. Allow to air dry on a towel (letter side up) for at least 6 hours. If you simply dry them off with a towel and immediately return them to the keyboard, there is a risk that moisture trapped in the stems will drip down and kill the switch.
Make sure everything is dry before reassembling.
Take pictures to prove to your friends (and yourself) that you’re not a slob. Repeat as necessary.
Enjoy your clean keyboard!
Note: While we don't recommend them, if you do choose to use sprays, wipes, or any other cleaning and disinfecting products on your equipment, please carefully read all labels to ensure safe and correct use for both your belongings and your own health.
Disclaimer: Do not remove the keycaps on the Apex 3, as those aren't meant to be removed. Sorry about that.
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FAQs
A gentle cleaner - dish soap works well - for soaking and cleaning the keycaps. A surface cleaning liquid - a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution works great.
Is it okay to clean keycaps with alcohol? ›
A gentle cleaner - dish soap works well - for soaking and cleaning the keycaps. A surface cleaning liquid - a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution works great.
What soap to clean keycaps? ›
Get your dish soap, a bowl of hot water, and mix up a nice soapy bath — throw in the key caps, give it a few gentle stirs, and let it soak for a few hours. If it's insufficient, you can also do some manual scrubbing — like washing dishes — and let them soak longer.
Is it safe to put keycaps in water? ›
To clean your keycaps and keyboard: Remove the keycaps from your keyboard. Place the keycaps into the container of warm soapy water and let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Make sure that the keycaps are completely submerged in the water.
How long to let keycaps dry? ›
Place them on the hand towel with the letter side up for at least 6 hours, so they can air dry. NOTE: It's important to let your keycaps fully air dry after cleaning. If you don't allow them to dry completely before reattaching, the remaining moisture can potentially damage your keyboard's switches.
Is 70% isopropyl alcohol safe for keyboards? ›
Isopropyl alcohol can be used to clean a wide range of electronics. Some of the most common items that you may want to clean with isopropyl alcohol include keyboards, mousepads, computer monitors, laptop exteriors, and game controllers.
Can you submerge a keyboard in water? ›
Cleaning and disinfecting your keyboard is a relatively simple process, but there are some major “don'ts” to keep in mind while you tackle it. DON'T submerge your keyboard in water. If you're dealing with major Cheeto stains, it might be tempting to dunk your keyboard in the sink, but just don't do it.
Is rubbing alcohol bad for ABS plastic? ›
Isopropyl Alcohol can be used on ABS Plastic and not cause cracking.
Can I vacuum my keyboard? ›
The third way to clean your keyboard is to use a dust vacuum, which is the most efficient approach. You can either buy a dust vacuum specifically made for keyboards or use your vacuum cleaner's hose attachment. Only use the hose attachment on the lowest setting to avoid damaging your keyboard.
How long to leave a keyboard to dry? ›
How long should I wait for my keyboard to dry after cleaning it? The drying time depends on how much liquid was used during cleaning. Generally, it's best to wait at least 2-4 hours before using your keyboard again. For spills or thorough cleaning, waiting 24 hours is safest.
Soak the keycaps in soapy water.
You can also add 2 denture tablets to help remove oils from the caps. Avoid using hot, boiling water or bleach, which can cause the keys to fade. Some users say to let the keycaps soak for 5 to 6 hours, while others say 30 minutes is sufficient.
What keycaps don t get greasy? ›
Use PBT Keycaps
The key to “how to prevent keycap shine” is the PBT material. As we have mentioned that PBT keycaps won't be oily for a very long time, it's best for you to consider a well-made PBT keycap set.
What is the best liquid to clean keyboard keys? ›
Try spraying a little isopropyl alcohol on a microfiber cloth, rub on stubborn stains, and dunk keycaps in the soapy water again to rinse. Make sure everything is completely dry before you put your keyboard back together, and use your photo to ensure you put all the keys back in the right places.
How to clean under keyboard keys without removing keys? ›
If there is loose debris between the keys, spray it free using quick bursts of compressed air. Dampen a lint-free cloth with rubbing alcohol and use it to gently wipe away residue. If your keyboard has removable keys, try removing the keys to get to sticky areas that you can't reach otherwise.
How do I make my keycaps white again? ›
Soak the keycaps in warm, soapy water for 30 minutes. Add 2 denture tablets if your keys are really dirty. Put the keycaps in a strainer and rinse them. Air dry the keycaps for at least 24 hours before popping them back in their correct positions.
How do I clean my keyboard without keycap remover? ›
If you don't have a keycap puller, you can use a flathead screwdriver, butter knife, or a bent paperclip. Slide the tool underneath the key and use light force to pry it off. Wash only the keys and wipe the keyboard frame clean.
