Maintain Your Workspace: How to Clean Your Keyboard
How to Clean Your Computer Keyboard (Properly!)
Studies have shown that the average computer keyboard can harbour more bacteria than a toilet seat. We'll give you a moment with that one.
Whether you're a snack-at-your-desk culprit or just haven't given it much thought, a quick clean can make a real difference — both hygienically and for the longevity of your kit. Here's how to do it right:
What you'll need:
- Compressed air canister (or a small hand pump blower)
- Microfibre cloth
- Cotton buds / cotton swabs
- Isopropyl alcohol (70% is ideal) or screen-safe cleaning wipes
- A flat-head screwdriver or keycap puller (optional, for a deeper clean)
Step 1 — Power down and disconnect Always turn off your computer and unplug your keyboard before cleaning. If it's a laptop, shut it down completely. Safety first!
Step 2 — Flip and shake Hold your keyboard upside down over a bin and give it a gentle shake. You may be horrified by what falls out. Crumbs, dust, hair — all normal, all removable.
Step 3 — Blast away the debris Use a canister of compressed air to blow between the keys in short bursts. Work in a zigzag pattern across the keyboard to push debris out rather than further in.
Step 4 — Wipe down the keys Dampen a microfibre cloth with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol — never spray liquid directly onto the keyboard — and gently wipe across the tops of all the keys and the surrounding surface.
Step 5 — Get into the gaps Dip a cotton bud in a little isopropyl alcohol and carefully clean around the sides of individual keys where grime tends to build up.
Step 6 — Deep clean (optional) For a more thorough clean, you can use a keycap puller or flat-head screwdriver to carefully remove the keycaps. Clean underneath with compressed air, wipe the keycaps separately, allow them to dry fully, then pop them back on.
Step 7 — Let it dry, then reconnect Give everything a few minutes to air dry before plugging back in or powering up. Job done!
Pro tip: Make this a monthly habit — the same day our newsletter arrives works perfectly!