How to Clean Your Keyboard Safely

However careful you are, keyboards collect crumbs, dust and sticky fingerprints. Before you replace one, try a proper cleaning. Keyboards are inexpensive, but there's no reason to throw away one that still works.

Before you start: shut down the computer or unplug the keyboard. For a wireless keyboard, switch it off or remove the batteries.

1. Compressed air

A can of compressed air is cheap and very effective. Hold the keyboard at an angle and blow short bursts between the keys to push out crumbs and dust. Keep the can upright so no liquid propellant comes out.

2. Cleaning wipes, the right way

Never spray liquid directly onto a keyboard or any electronics. Instead, lightly dampen a lint-free cloth with a gentle cleaner or isopropyl alcohol, wring it out, and wipe the keys and surface. Let everything dry completely before you turn it back on.

3. A vacuum

A vacuum with a brush attachment picks up anything left between the keys. Check first that no keys are loose. Otherwise you may end up searching the vacuum bag, or buying a new keyboard anyway.

Laptops and spills

Laptop keyboards sit directly above the computer's electronics, so be extra gentle with them. If you spill a drink on a laptop, turn it off immediately, unplug it, turn it upside down and call us. Don't try to turn it back on to "see if it still works". Acting quickly often saves both the laptop and the data on it.

If a keyboard still misbehaves after a good cleaning, let us know. Sometimes it's a quick fix.