How to clean the keyboard of PCs and notebooks?

Find out what to do, and above all what not to do, to properly clean the keyboard of your PC and notebook and preserve your devices for longer

Cleaning computer keyboards is more than just a simple way to keep your workspace organized, it is essential for the preservation of these peripherals.

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In addition to the unsightly appearance, heavily soiled keyboards can damage internal components due to the buildup of oil, liquid, and particles from daily use, even if you are careful not to actively dirty them.

With this in mind, the Canaltech prepared this guide on how carry out cleaning and maintenance of keyboards, as well as specific precautions to take into consideration depending on the type of keyboard.

How to clean mechanical and magnetic keyboards

Currently, the mechanical keyboards They are quite common and their cleaning is relatively simple, precisely because it is possible to dismantle it almost completely. The main difference is that it requires attention when replacing the keys after the procedure.

The materials needed for cleaning are:

• A toothbrush with soft, fine bristles (13 ½) for narrow spaces between keys.
• A tool for removing keys.
• Plastic tweezers: Metal tweezers can scratch the body of the keyboard.
• A microfibre cloth.
• Cotton tipped swabs.
• An electric duster or a can of compressed air.
• Optional: Keyboard and headphones cleaning kit.
• Optional: Isopropyl alcohol, not 70% alcohol.

The first step is to take a photo of the keyboard still assembled, to facilitate reassembly and avoid swapping keys. A tip that can make things easier is to remove and clean gradually, for example by using the numeric keypad.

After carefully removing the keys, use the can of compressed air or electric duster to blow away all dust and larger particles, such as hair, pet hair, etc. Then, using a cotton ball, rub well around the mechanical switches to remove deeper layers of dirt.

Depending on the level of accumulated dirt and oil, dip the cotton tips of the swabs in isopropyl alcohol, but never pour the product directly onto the keyboard or any electronic component.

Other formulations have a higher concentration of water in the mixture, making evaporation difficult and potentially oxidizing metal components such as electronic contacts.

If there is any lint or animal hair left, remove it with plastic tweezers. In fact, any tweezers with tips will work, but metal ones can scratch the keyboard, so it’s best to avoid them. Using the microfiber cloth, finish cleaning the keyboard body in the area around the keyless area.

As for the keys, a little patience is needed because they have to be cleaned one by one. Even the visible layer of accumulated dirt usually comes off easily simply by wiping the cloth firmly, but not necessarily forcefully.

The inside of the keys can be cleaned with a duster/compressed air and a cotton ball. If the keys are really very dirty and greasy, the advice is to wash them carefully with only water and neutral soap – it can be dishwashing liquid – but, to avoid damage, you need to let them dry completely, usually for a day.

It is worth noting that even in keyboards where we can remove the switches, the ideal is to avoid doing this as much as possible to prevent dirt from entering the internal plate of the keyboard. Perform this type of cleaning only if you have spilled liquid on the keyboard, and always only use cotton swabs soaked in alcohol, without ever applying the products directly to the contacts.

Repeat the procedure also in the other areas of the keyboard, always being careful not to get confused when you put the keys back in their respective positions. The process for keyboards with magnetic switches is the same, since its external construction is usually practically identical to that of mechanical keyboards.

How to clean membrane keyboards

Unlike mechanical keyboards, membrane ones usually do not have removable keys, so the procedure is more delicate depending on how dirty it is. Initial cleaning can be done simply with an electric duster and a soft brush, such as one in cheap cleaning kits or an old makeup brush.

For narrower spaces, use the thinnest brush and then trace the entire outline of each key with cotton swabs until all oil and dirt near the base of the keys is removed.

For the upper part of the keys we can perform the same procedure as for mechanical keyboards with the microfiber cloth, also rubbing the keys one by one. Since you cannot wash your keys separately, you may need to use a second microfibre cloth soaked in isopropyl alcohol – avoid using the same cloth for dry cleaning.

Notebook keyboards

Cleaning notebook keyboards requires even more attention, since the keys are located exactly on the device’s motherboard, and any liquid that passes through the cracks can damage the PC. For this reason the first step is to turn off the notebook and unplug it from the power outlet.

Especially in these cases, always prefer to use dry cleaning methods, avoiding isopropyl alcohol as much as possible. In general, you usually only need the brush for the key area and the microfiber cloth for finishing and detailing.

If necessary, use cotton swabs, or a small corner of a slightly damp cloth, not completely soaked, to remove more intense oil or dirt stains. Another important point is to avoid positioning the nozzle either with compressed air or with the electric duster too close to the keys.

Both solutions expel the air with a lot of pressure and this can cause the keys, which are almost always fixed to the body of the keyboard and not removable, to break and detach, making it necessary to replace the entire keyboard.

Regularly cleaning your keyboards is an important part of caring for your electronic devices, as are other procedures such as formatting, organizing cables, and replacing them when necessary. Although this is a laborious process, it is perfectly possible to do it at home, without many specialized tools, avoiding expensive and unpleasant visits to technical support.

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Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.