Mechanical keyboards get a lot of dust and crumbs from your fingers. That’s why they need to be cleaned more frequently than laptop keyboards. Fortunately, they’re easy to clean. You only need to shake your keyboard to loosen dirt bunnies and crumbs inside.
- Shake It
When you use your keyboard daily, it naturally accumulates dust and debris. These particles can damage the keys and sensors. This is why it’s so important to keepyour mechanicalkeyboard clean. Fortunately, you can do a few things to make it look and feel good again. First, you’ll want to shake your mechanical keyboard out. This easy step can help dislodge loose debris that may have clung to the switches. Once you’ve gotten all the gunk out, you can eliminate the grime and dirt accumulating on the keycaps.
Once the keycaps are removed, scrub them with soapy water and a cotton swab or lint-free cloth. You can also spray them with compressed air, but be careful not to blow too much air into the switches, which could cause them to fall out. Another way to eliminate loose debris is by using a sticky compound. You can purchase this at many offices supply stores. Just be sure to choose a substance that’s not too sticky, as you don’t want any residue to transfer to the keyboard.
You can also wipe down the top of the keycaps with a damp paper towel or lint-free rag to remove any excess moisture. This will minimize the amount of dirt that gets into the keycaps and make it easier to scrub away any grime. A final option is to use a cleaning slime, or a microfiber cloth dipped in disinfectant wipes to remove any stains or spills on the keyboard. Be sure to let the keyboard dry completely before putting it back together. Before cleaning, always turn off your computer and unplug the keyboard. This will eliminate any chance of accidentally damaging the device while cleaning it. Then, flip it upside down and give it a good shake. This will help remove any tenacious drips stuck between the keys.
- Spray It
If you’re the owner of a mechanical keyboard, chances are it has some dirt and grime. Luckily, you can do a few things to clean it without having to remove the keys. This will save you time, and it will also help prolong the life of your keyboard! A simple method of clearing a mechanical keyboard is to spray it with compressed air. You can buy cans of compressed air at any hardware store or larger grocery stores like Walmart and Target. This is an excellent way to get the dust and dirt out of between the keys, which are often the most prone areas to gather debris.
Once the dirt and grime are removed, wiping down the keyboard’s surface is a good idea. This will help kill germs and keep it looking shiny and new. The first step is to wipe down the entire keyboard with a disinfectant wipe. Avoid bleach wipes, and make sure to wring out the wipe before you use it. Another great option is a mixture of dishwashing liquid and water. You can use this on the entire keyboard, but you’ll want to pay particular attention to the areas around the keys, where you tend to rest your hands more frequently than other parts.
This is where food residue can easily get stuck between the keycaps, leading to key sticking over time. By monitoring the amount of food, you eat and drinks you drink near your keyboard, it’s possible to reduce this problem. You can also use a toothbrush to brush the area between the keys gently. This can also remove some of the gunk you might have missed with the compressed air and clean the edges of the keycaps if necessary. The final step is to wipe down the entire keyboard with a dry cloth or towelette. This will ensure that the surface is free of any remaining dirt or grime and protect it from further damage.
- Remove The Keycaps
Keycaps are an easy and cost-effective way to customize a keyboard and add a touch of personalization. They come in hundreds of colorways and designs to make your keyboard uniquely yours! But sometimes, the keycaps are worn out or broken and must be replaced. Fortunately, removing the keycaps from a mechanical keyboard is a simple and safe task! Various tools will help you do so without damaging your switches or keycaps.
One of the easiest and most painless ways to remove keycaps from a mechanical keyboard is with a wire keycap puller. This tool can easily and safely remove keys from a keyboard, but it requires a bit of force to work properly. Grab a wire or plastic keycap puller and slide it underneath a key to start the process. Then, gently apply upward pressure with the tool until the key lifts off. Do not yank or push too hard; this could damage the switch or break the keycap!
If the keycap does not come off with a wire or plastic puller, use your fingers to pry it up gently. This will also protect the switch and keycaps from damage, but removing all keys in your keyboard may take some time. Once you have removed all the keys, it is important to clean your keyboard so that any debris or dust does not stick to it. This can be done by shaking it or spraying it with compressed air.
Another great option is to wash the keycaps with soap and water. This can be a quick and easy way to eliminate any grime and dust that may have built up on them over the years! While cleaning your keyboard, it is also important to replace any broken switches with spares that are on hand. The switches on a mechanical keyboard are small and easily damaged, so it is best to use the right replacements when necessary.
Conclusion
Finally, you can shake your mechanical keyboard to help loosen the grit hiding in the keys’ cracks. This is a primary method, but it’s a good idea to do this regularly as it can improve the performance of your keyboard by getting rid of all that built-up grit.
