Often, people don’t think to clean their keyboards very often because they assume it’s not necessary. In this article, we’re going to teach you how to clean your keyboard on a regular basis in order to keep it in good working condition.
Why You Should Clean Your Keyboard?
To tell you the truth, there are a lot of different reasons why you should clean your keyboard, but they are all rather obvious. Cleaning your keyboard will rid it of any germs that may have accumulated there, so reducing the likelihood that you will become ill as a result.
The fact that your keycaps won’t build up an excessive amount of oil or stickiness will also contribute to an improvement in the quality of your typing experience. Let’s be honest here; no one likes having to type on a keyboard that’s covered with grime.
A clean keyboard also has a lower risk of malfunctioning or breaking, which is an additional advantage. You won’t have to worry about as many crumbs becoming stuck in the crevices of your keyboard or piling up inside of one of the switches. Nobody enjoys having to desolder a switch, take it apart, and then attempt to wipe off whatever crud has accumulated on the interior of it.
An Effective Keyboard Cleaning Routine
We recommend that you sanitize your keyboard’s surface at least once a week, if not more frequently. Using a shared keyboard might spread germs and other nice stuff if you don’t wipe the keyboard down after each use.
To disinfect the keyboard, we normally suggest wiping it down with a disinfectant sprayed on a microfiber towel many times. If you use paper towels, you risk leaving behind small pieces of paper that will get stuck to your keyboard. If you don’t have a towel made of microfiber, an old cotton t-shirt or a handkerchief should do the trick.
The once-weekly clean takes less than a minute to complete and is aimed at getting rid of anything you come into contact with on a regular basis. Keycaps should be wiped clean of food, bacteria, and grease.
In light of the current circumstances, a thorough clean is extremely critical. If your keyboard is used by more than one person, you should disinfect it more frequently.
Keyboard Cleaning Instructions
Cleaning External Keyboard
Before cleaning, make sure you turn off or detach the keyboard from the computer. “It’s a safety precaution while working with electronics.” You don’t want to send an email to the wrong person, after all.
You should only use a damp microfiber towel to clean the keyboard. The letters are protected by a unique coating on the keys. Cleaning the keys with harsh chemicals or abrasive objects could permanently harm this coating and lead to a far more serious problem in the future.
Use a dampened swab or a dry, soft toothbrush to remove dried-on crud from hard-to-reach areas of the keyboard.
Use a can of compressed air to remove dust, particulates, and crumbs. Just remember to use the straw that is included with the can, and to avoid accidentally spraying yourself while holding the can in an inverted position, you should always use the straw. Doing so could result in the keyboard being sprayed with propellant.
Cleaning Laptop Keyboard
Laptop keyboards sit on top of the computer’s electronic components, thus cleaning them requires special attention. Apple’s cleaning instructions for laptops may be found here.
Allow the laptop to cool completely by unplugging it.
Use a clean, lint-free microfiber cloth wet with simply water to wipe the keyboard. Moisture should not be allowed to accumulate in any of the apertures. The keyboard should be kept dry at all times.
Compressed air can be used to blow out the dust from in between the keys. To regulate the flow of air, make sure the straw is attached. While spraying, never turn the pressurized air can upside down. Instead of air, this might squirt propellant onto the keyboard.
When utilizing compressed air, Apple suggests the following procedure. Turn on the computer. A 75-degree angle is ideal, with the keyboard tipped back slightly. You can use pressurized air to clean the keyboard by moving the can from left to right. Spray about a half-inch from the keyboard with the end of the straw.
Sweep the keyboard again in a clockwise direction from left to right. Then, on the left side of the laptop, spray from top to bottom, left to right.
Disinfecting Keyboard
Even if you’re using a shared or public computer, disinfecting the keyboard is a good idea at times. Apple recommends using Lysol Wipes or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to clean your device. Do not use bleach-based disinfection sprays and wipes.
Turn down the computer, remove the battery if you have a wireless or portable keyboard, and disconnect the power cord.
Wipe the keyboard with a disinfectant wipe first, using light, soft strokes. Before using a damp wipe, wring away any extra water. Avoid letting the wipe’s liquid sit on the affected area for an extended period of time.) Remove any remaining grime by wiping the surface again with an absorbent, soft cloth that is free of lint, such as microfiber.
Use a lint-free cloth to finish drying.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to clean your keyboard on a regular basis. The instructions that are included with this article should help make the process easier.
Creating the right cleaning routine isn’t the most enjoyable task, but it can lead to improved hygiene and a healthier lifestyle. Not to mention, the next time you see your keyboard, fewer people will condemn you. Instead of being grease-coated, your keys will be sparkling and new.
