How to Clean a Keyboard Safely
Kids' keyboards collect crumbs, sticky fingerprints and germs fast, especially on shared family and school devices. The good news: cleaning one takes about five minutes and a few things you probably already have. Always check your device maker's instructions first, and for a school-issued Chromebook, follow the school's rules (some prefer you just tell the teacher).
What you need
- A soft, lint-free or microfiber cloth
- A soft, dry brush (a clean makeup brush or soft paintbrush works)
- Water, or 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes (Apple, for example, says 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes are fine on its keyboards)
- Cotton swabs
- Optional for grown-ups: a can of compressed air
Step by step
- Turn it off and unplug it. Shut down the laptop or Chromebook and unplug the charger. Unplug a desktop keyboard or take out its batteries.
- Tip out the crumbs. Hold the laptop open, turn it upside down at an angle and gently tap the back. For a desktop keyboard, turn it over and tap.
- Brush between the keys. Sweep the soft brush along the gaps. A grown-up can use short bursts of compressed air, holding the can upright and keeping the straw a little away from the keys.
- Wipe the tops of the keys. Lightly dampen the cloth with water or use an alcohol wipe that is wrung out, never dripping. Wipe each row, then the palm rest and touchpad.
- Get the edges. Use a barely damp cotton swab around the edges of keys and in corners.
- Let it dry. Wait until everything is completely dry, a few minutes for a light wipe, before turning it back on.
How to clean keyboard keys that are sticky
Use a cotton swab lightly dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol and rub just the sticky spot. On a desktop keyboard (especially a mechanical one) a grown-up can pull off a keycap with a keycap puller, clean it in warm soapy water, dry it fully and press it back on. Do not pull keys off a laptop or Chromebook. Their tiny clips break easily.
Do not use
- Spray bottles aimed at the keyboard. Spray the cloth, never the keys.
- Bleach, window cleaner, kitchen sprays or anything abrasive. They can wear off the letters and damage the coating.
- Soaking wet cloths or running water.
- Sharp tools like knives or pins between the keys.
- A vacuum on a laptop keyboard: strong suction can pull off keys.
Spilled a drink?
- Turn it off right away and unplug it.
- Turn the laptop upside down in a tent shape (open, like a V) so liquid drains out, and dab with a towel.
- Leave it off to dry for at least 24 to 48 hours. Do not use a hair dryer.
- Juice, milk and soda leave sticky sugar behind and may need a repair shop. For a school Chromebook, tell the teacher straight away. It is much easier to fix early.
How often?
- Every week: tip out the crumbs and wipe the keys.
- Every month: a deeper clean between the keys.
- After a cold or stomach bug in the house, wipe shared keyboards with alcohol wipes.
Keep it clean
Easy family rules: wash hands before typing, keep snacks and drinks away from the keyboard, and close the laptop lid when you are done. A clean keyboard is nicer to type on, and smooth keys make typing practice more fun. Next, check your child's typing posture.
FAQ
Can I clean a keyboard with water?
Yes, with a cloth that is only slightly damp. Never pour or spray water onto the keyboard.
Can I use alcohol to clean a keyboard?
Most makers allow 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cloth or wipe. Avoid bleach and harsh cleaners.
How do I clean under laptop keys?
Tip the laptop upside down and tap it, then brush between the keys or use short bursts of compressed air. Do not pull laptop keys off.
What should I do if my child spills on the keyboard?
Turn it off and unplug it immediately, turn it upside down to drain, and let it dry for at least 24 to 48 hours. Sticky drinks may need a repair shop.