Cleaning your keyboard not only removes dust and germs from your computer, but also increases the longevity of your keyboard.
Cleaning the keyboard with Post-its: Fast, inexpensive and effective
Almost everyone has classic post-its on their desk. You can use them to effectively clean your keyboard. Just follow our instructions:
- Make sure your computer or laptop is turned off and disconnect the keyboard from the device if possible to prevent damage during cleaning.
- Take a Post-it and peel it off so that the sticky side is visible.
- With the sticky side down, run the Post-it through each row of keys. Move it slowly and evenly to ensure that the adhesive strip picks up the dirt and dust.
- Make sure to cover all areas, especially between the keys, where crumbs and dust often accumulate.
- After swiping, check the Post-it; you should see a buildup of dirt and dust on it. If necessary, repeat the process with a fresh Post-it.
Deeply clean your computer keyboard
Thoroughly cleaning your desktop PC keyboard involves removing all the keys. Before doing this, however, you should memorize the structure of your keyboard or, better yet, take a photo of it to avoid misplacement later on.
- The keys can be removed from the housing using a pen or screwdriver. This requires a lot of patience and, above all, fine motor skills.
- The keys are usually dishwasher safe, so nothing should happen in the 40-degree program. You have to be careful with cheap keyboards, as the letters are only printed on them and could come off if the cleaning agent is too strong.
- You can now remove coarse dirt from the gaps between your keyboard by using a conventional vacuum cleaner on the lowest power setting to suck up the dust crumbs from above.
- Stubborn stains can then be removed using a damp cloth. For the corners, you can use a cotton swab soaked in soapy water or washing-up liquid.
- Finally, place the keys back to their original position.
How to proceed with a laptop keyboard
You should only remove the keys of a laptop keyboard in an emergency, as the holders can break off much more easily than on a classic computer keyboard. A gentler cleaning method is recommended here:
- Make sure that the laptop is turned off so that you do not trigger any unintentional commands, for example by using keyboard shortcuts. Also remove the battery to prevent possible electric shocks.
- Now you can turn your laptop upside down and shake it gently to remove any coarse grains and crumbs.
- Stubborn stains can be removed using a slightly damp microfiber cloth before wiping everything dry with a paper or kitchen towel.
- You can also use a conventional vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. You should be particularly careful here and make sure you set the power to the lowest setting so that the buttons are not sucked out.
- The spaces between the keys can be easily cleaned with small interdental brushes, which allow you to reach not only every corner but also under the keys.