How to Clean Your Keyboard to Keep It Spotless and Working Like New

Truth be told, your computer keyboard might be one of the dirtiest things you touch every day. Between collecting germs from unwashed hands, it might also be hiding more crumbs than your couch cushions if you happen to eat lunch at your desk. Fortunately, you don’t need special tools or plenty of free time to give your keyboard a proper refresh. With just a few household items, you can keep it clean, functioning, and working optimally.

"I’ve cleaned hundreds of keyboards, and honestly, most people wait until they’re barely usable to call IT for help," shares Marc Giguere, an IT specialist with close to a decade of hands-on experience maintaining complex computer systems for billion-dollar brands. "A quick once-over every week can save a lot of hassle."

Whether you’re using a laptop or an external keyboard, here's how to clean your keyboard safely and effectively.

What You Need

Cleaning your keyboard properly shouldn't require excessive or expensive supplies. "Compressed air and microfiber cloths are your best friends, and help you avoid anything wet getting under the keys," says Giguere.

• Soft-bristled cleaning brush (or a clean paintbrush or makeup brush)
• Compressed air (available at most office supply retailers)
• Clean microfiber cloths
• Isopropyl alcohol

How to Clean Your Keyboard

Housing dust, crumbs, and sticky messes, a neglected keyboard can be both unpleasant and unhygienic. Follow these simple instructions to get it back to like-new status.

Shut Everything Down

Giguere says the first and most important step is powering off your computer and disconnecting the keyboard. If you're using a laptop, shut it down and unplug it from the charger. 

"Power and moisture don’t mix," he says, "so making sure there is no electricity running to the keyboard is the only logical first step."

Shake Out Loose Debris

"Before you grab a single tool, the best place to start is just to turn the keyboard over and shake it over a trash can," Giguere instructs. "Anything loose will just fall out—and that saves you a bunch of time on the back end."

Give the keyboard a few firm (but not aggressive) taps on the back to dislodge loose crumbs, dust, and debris hiding between the keys. (This step alone can make a noticeable difference.)

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Use Compressed Air and a Soft Brush

Once you’ve shaken out the loose debris, it’s time to tackle those nooks and crannies. Using a can of compressed air and a soft, fluffy cleaning brush, blow out dust and particles and sweep the debris away. Short bursts of air work best, and it helps to angle the keyboard slightly while you clean.

There are commercially available keyboard cleaning brushes—but you don’t strictly need one. "A new fluffy paintbrush or makeup brush works just as well," says Giguere. Just make sure whatever you use is dry and clean.

Wipe the Surface

Once you’ve removed the crumbs and dust from under the keys, clean the keyboard's surface. Lightly dampen a clean microfiber cloth with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol. Then, wipe down the tops of the keys and the surrounding surface being careful not to let any liquid drip down between the keys.

“It’s imperative that you never spray cleaner directly onto the keyboard, and don’t use bleach or window cleaner. Just a cloth with rubbing alcohol is all you need,” cautions Giguere. For sticky or grimy spots, use a cotton swab dipped in your isopropyl alcohol. It’s perfect for getting around key edges and into tight spaces.

Allow to Dry

Before turning your device and keyboard on or plugging it back in, give the keyboard time to air dry completely. Even a small amount of moisture inside the keyboard can cause electrical damage or short-circuiting, so be patient. If you used minimal moisture, 15–30 minutes should do the trick.

When to Contact a Professional

If your external keyboard is especially dirty, consider taking it to a professional. “If you know how to disassemble and reassemble properly, you can pop off the keycap to deep clean it," says Giguere.

However, not all keyboards are designed for this so it’s best left to a pro or someone with plenty of electronic experience. "If you’re not totally confident, let a pro handle it,” says Giguere.