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We have to talk about your keyboard. It likely has more germs than a toilet seat, which is gross but can also disrupt your device's functionality. With spring upon us, now is the perfect time to clean things up. Disconnect or turn off your keyboard, clear off a work area, and follow these steps.
Turn Your Keyboard Upside Down and Give It a Good Shake
(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)Place the keyboard on a large cloth or clear surface and turn it upside down, giving it a few good shakes. With the keys facing down, tap the back, then hold the board at different angles and pat it firmly but gently across the entire surface to knock free additional loose particles. Expect a cascade of debris. If you're using a keyboard with removable keycaps (a mechanical keyboard, for instance), carefully pull those off and give the panel another upside-down shake.
Brush Out the Muck
(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)To remove even more from your keyboard, grab a keyboard brush or even just a toothbrush or bottle brush and run it through the spaces between your keys.
Blow Out Dust and Debris
(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)Now to get those particles even a brush can miss. Compressed canned air dislodges dust and dirt with a pressurized blast. Before inserting the straw-like plastic hose and blasting away, though, make sure there are no items nearby that will take on whatever gets knocked out of your keyboard.
You might even want to take this part outside or do it over a bathtub or sink. Just remember that canned air tends to create condensation, so be sure to leave some room between the keyboard and hose to avoid any moisture that could damage inner circuitry.
Prop the keyboard sideways on a steady surface, then, using the duster as directed, aim the straw at an angle along the crevices for a series of short bursts. Give the keyboard another few taps, and repeat the process until you're satisfied. You may be surprised at just how much flies out, even if you don't eat at your desk or have pets who climb across your keyboard at the most inopportune times. Removing the keycaps will make this process all the more effective.
Wipe Everything Down
Take a microfiber cloth and dampen it with the tiniest bit of water and wipe down your entire keyboard. Go over it with a dry part of the same cloth. Make sure the keyboard is completely dry before plugging it back in or powering it on.
Give Your Keycaps a Bath
(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)This tip isn't for everyone; only those with a mechanical keyboard and removable keytops should follow these instructions. Start by snapping a quick picture of your fully assembled keyboard, to avoid mixing up letters, numbers, and commands later. Then simply soak the keycaps in a container of water with a bit of dish soap. After a few minutes, give the keys a scrub with a small brush or rag and set them out to air dry.