Thread: Cleaning a computer keyboard

Hi.
How do you clean your keyboard?
Mine seems to always have dust on the keys and in all the little crevices.

Mostly I just pick it up and shake it upside down. For some reason there are always crumbs in there. Can't imagine why, though maybe it's the morning toast, or other snacks I eat over it? When I worked mine was always full of dust and crumbs. I use a paper clip to pull out the dust bunniettes in there. Used to be able to pop out the keys and clean under them for the worst mess. Now and then I use the vacuum on it. Got one of those sets with tiny heads to put on your vacuum for keyboard and sewing machine, but rarely bother to pull them out and use them. I've heard that canned air meant to blow dirt out might actually force it into smaller crevices, so not a good idea. Hey, Ranger, I like your signature line!

I unplug mine from the computer and turn it over and lightly tap it on the desk top to remove anything that will come out! Then I take a very soft brush (2x8 or 10" I use it on my lampshades) and brush over the keys to dust it. Sometimes I'll use an air can but I really do not like to do that.

I keep a small paint brush handy and when I see crumbs getting into my keyboard, I brush them out. I seem to do that a LOT.

I still use a hard plastic cover on mine. It's from many years and many keyboards ago but I put it over the keyboard when ever i leave the computer since I have three cats!!

I vacuum it out. Take outside, turn it over and softly tap the bottom.

I unplug mine, turn it over and tap the bottom edge on the desk, then tap the top edge. Then I use an old toothbrush (clean, of course!) and run it between the keys, horizontally, then vertically, then blow it out with canned air and plug it back in and hope it still works! lol hmmm...looks like I need to do mine soon!

I'd read that you can run them under warm water and hang to dry, but have never tried it, nor would I recommend it, since it IS electronics.