Summary
- > 1- Turn off your computer
- > 2- Shake your keyboard
- > 3- Use a compressed air bomb
- > 4- Clean the keys of your keyboard
Due to the frequency with which we handle and touch them, keyboards can very quickly become breeding grounds for microbes, they easily accumulate stains and dirt of all kinds.
While you might notice it, it's the germs that live there that arguably pose the greatest health risk.
Fortunately, you can hygienically clean the keyboard of your PC or Mac without damaging it (the same goes for your phone or tablet). We advise you to practice our tips regularly, hygiene being a top priority.
1- Turn off your computer
Shutting down your computer is often the solution when it malfunctions, but it's also important to do this before you start cleaning it.
After all, a PC is an electrical device, and using liquids near or on live electrical devices is dangerous.
2- Shake your keyboard
Who hasn't eaten and used their computer at the same time? Whether it's a snack or a meal while watching a TV show, many of these foods tend to be crumbly. Your keyboard then very quickly becomes a marker for crumbs, which interfere between and under the keys.
To dislodge them, gently lift your keyboard, or unplug it, turn it over, then shake it and tap gently on its underside.
3- Use a compressed air bomb
While they won't impede your typing, it's not always possible to remove all of the small debris that's settled into your keyboard (and fan). This is where a compressed air bomb proves its usefulness. You will find a plethora of them in stores and online, such as the Q-Connect dust remover, which has a straw for more precision.
To overcome the most stubborn crumbs, spray from left to right on the keyboard, with the end of the straw a few centimeters from the keys and so on.
This is also the method that Apple recommends for its latest MacBooks.
4- Clean the keys of your keyboard
This is the part of the keyboard you interact with the most, so the keys will definitely need more attention.
There are several ways to clean them, depending on your type of keyboard. For large desktop keyboards, including mechanical ones, it is best to use cotton swabs soaked in isopropyl alcohol or an ethanol-based solution.
It may take a little time, but it will get you as thorough and efficient a clean as possible.
For portable PC or Mac keyboards, prefer a lint-free cloth moistened with alcohol, then carefully wipe the areas in question.
If you don't have any alcohol-based products on hand, then an antibacterial wipe will do just fine. Then wipe with a cloth dampened with water. This is especially important for laptop keyboards, where the risk of alcohol seeping onto your screen is greater.
Note that you can also use a cleaning gel for keyboards, they remove encrusted dirt and grime, and it gives impressive results. Just open rub the gel on the keys, then peel it off.
