Trust me, a wet napkin is enough. For daily maintenance, you can use a small soft-bristled dusting brush, like the one below. Geeks’ diets aren’t always the best. easy PinkdirectAMETHYST643 , Feb 7, 2016 A common problem in offices, dust can really make typing unpleasant. Start with one corner and move to an adjacent one. Once the key is removed, you'll notice the hair, dust, dirt, or food particles under the key if present, as shown in the picture. This method is done exactly how it sounds: turn your laptop upside-down then shake your laptop slowly, resulting in the debris falling right from beneath the keys. The answer is shockingly simple, and it comes from something we all have around the house. This is what we're after. 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Unplug or turn off your keyboard. Once the keys are off, you can better use a paper towel and maybe some alcohol solution to clean the keyboard base. We’ll break it down by type, but first thing’s first: unplug your keyboard! Even though you wonât be putting liquids directly onto your laptop, you should turn the power off completely to make sure nothing gets damaged if a little moisture does get inside. If you use more than one keyboard regularly, remember to clean all of them. Be wary of disinfectant sprays; many are strong enough that you wouldn’t want to keep your hands in contact with them for very long. Tear off an inch of tape and fold it in half so that the non-sticky sides are facing together and the sticky sides are facing outward. Since we launched in 2006, our articles have been read more than 1 billion times. It's a little gross, but at least it will be gone! There are plenty of ways to clean depending on what afflicts your workspace. Itâs easy to forget ⦠i got an Vacuum Attachment Kit, a very tiny pipe that fits between the keys, so i can clean under the keys and another one with some brushes onto it to clean the keys. If you want to remove the keyboard keys of your Mac, you will need to use a tool that is quite wide, thin, and durable. Here's how to enable burst photos on iPhone! I simply dripped a small amount around the bad key then tipped the keypad to allow it to run under and used canned air to blow it out. It’s an easy fix, however. Dip a cotton bud in the solution to clean between the keys. Turn off and unplug your laptop before you do any cleaning. I have a sticky key on my keyboard and want to remove it to clean it. Hold your Mac notebook at a 75-degree angle, so it's not quite vertical. Dust off, scrub down, and clean up your number one input device safely with these tips. The chances of actually getting the keyboard apart to clean it successfully -- and putting it back together such that it works again - are slim. Clean the surface behind the keyboard, including the circuit board and any key connectors, with alcohol-soaked cotton balls until completely clean. A Few Cleaning Donâts. to tear off a small piece (about an inch or so), fold it in half so the sticky side faces out, then rub it around between your keys. Take a vacuum, then a can of compressed air to really flush out everything underneath. Take a little alcohol solution and moisten an old rag or a paper towel with it. If you’ve tried everything to cut the dirt and grease, then I’ve got one last method for you. In a short burst of up to three seconds, or several quick ones, spray along the crevice. Follow the same process for cleaning. Take a soft-bristled toothbrush thatâs wet with a bit of alcohol to your keyboard. Scotch Magic Tape, 6 Rolls, Numerous Applications, Invisible, Engineered for Repairing, 3/4 x 1000 Inches, Boxed (810K6), More Avoid any wipes that contain bleach. Share in the comments! Shut the laptop down through the Power Options menu, then remove the power cord. 2015-09-30, 2:01 AM. Make sure you don't use duct tape or any other highly adhesive tape, as you can leave residue under your keys, which is obviously not good. A small hand-held vacuum cleaner or a can of compressed air will work well. Use a cloth to gently clean the keys, making sure to ⦠Join our newsletter for tech tips, reviews, free ebooks, and exclusive deals! Turn the keyboard upside down, thump the underside, and shake out all the yuck you can. Stick with the standard clear tape that you would use to wrap a present, and you'll be safe! Anything about 60% alcohol or more is fine; higher concentrations don’t really help kill more germs, but it also won’t hurt. Can someone tell me the proper way to fix a sticky key? Dave LeClair writes Google / Android news, manages social media, and appears in videos. To remove mechanical keyboard keys in effectively and efficiently way you can use a keycap puller or use your hand. Do you clean your keyboard regularly? You can clean the removed keys with a toothbrush and some soapy water. Put all the keycaps into the sink and let it soak in the water. Use a guitar pick, credit card, plastic spudger, or a plastic butter knife to get under the keycap and push the tip out of the hole. But if you don't wish to take any risk, then you must choose what tool you want to use as your keycap puller. Chiclet-style keyboards are great because they prevent a lot of dirt from getting underneath, but unfortunately I’ve still not found a good way to clean them of sticky spills. For more caked on dust, try the brush/hose attachment of a larger vacuum cleaner to help scrape off dust bunnies. Shake the keyboard over a trash can to remove any debris from ⦠May have to repeat a couple of times. First, wipe everything down with a disinfectant wipe. First, start by unplugging the keyboard from your ⦠Image Credit: Khomkrit Phonsai via ShutterStock. âWhen cleaning a keyboard, you have a couple of things to think about,â Maker says. You can put sanitizer ⦠For desktop keyboards, take a butter knife or a screwdriver and try to pry up one corner of the keys. For custom keyboard, it might be helpful to draw a quick map or take a picture with your digital camera so you know where everything belongs when you go to put things back together. For really grimy spots, try using a pencil eraser. Daily use can breed a whole different kind of filth on your precious keys. Let us know if you have other concerns. Turn off and unplug the laptop. You simply need to tear off a small piece (about an inch or so), fold it in half so the sticky side faces out, then rub it around between your keys. Clear tape! Once you are done with this, spray liquid disinfectant to stay healthy. Your keys will be looking brand-new in no time! Remember to only dampen the cloth slightly. Cleaning the keys of a keyboard can be a nuisance, but this one trick makes it much easier and faster. Donât try to remove keys from the keyboard to wash them by hand â especially if youâre using a laptop. For laptop keyboards, your fingernail should be enough to pull the plastic up. Please confirm your email address in the email we just sent you. Repeat the action, this time with your Mac notebook rotated to its left side. Burst mode is perfect for capturing motion or ensuring you don't miss out on a great shot. A dirty keyboard hinders typing, is riddled with disease-inducing germs, and just doesn’t go well with the decor. Cleaning the actual keys is simple: A paper towel will do the job without a problem. This silicone keypad is what gives the keyboard it's ⦠First thing’s first, unplug your keyboard. Just be careful that the eraser-dust doesn’t fall back in the keyboard. I don't want to break it while I'm trying to pop it out of the hinge. By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Stand your keyboard up on its left or right end and point the hose at the gap between rows of keys. They shouldn’t feel mushy or sticky anymore, and if they do it’s probably because they either didn’t set properly in the base or it’s in the wrong place. This substance can be removed with compressed air, a damp cloth, or cotton swabs.. Your keys will be looking brand-new in no time! Replace the key by snapping it back into place. After this, use the compressed air to remove any dust or debris that may have remained attached under the keys. Reply. With keys that have metal bars, make sure the bars are properly attached to the keys and that the ends line up in the slots on the keyboard (compare the above and below images). Be extra careful, since the mechanism is made of plastic and you don’t want to break it. As with liquid cleanup, pop off the keys as best you can. Take as much as half a cup of vinegar and add two cups of warm water. but i dont want ⦠You don’t need to use a lot of force; you should feel a pop and the key will come right off. If you wish to clean under the keycaps, you can hold the unit upside down and use compressed air from a can. Careful with those metal bars! Cleaning under the keys (Y530) 2009-08-04, 2:41 AM. There are obviously germs living among these dusts, which could soon harm our health. PLEASE NOTE: To avoid damaging the pad under the key, insert the butter knife only 1/8 inch under the edge of the key . And of course, always check your ownerâs manual for model-specific keyboard cleaning instructions. We don't recommend cleaning or submerging the keyboard in any type of liquid as it will void its warranty. Use compressed air to spray the keyboard, or just the affected keys, in a left-to-right motion. In our experience, this is the most common type of laptop filth. Use a clean and soft cloth and start gently rubbing it on the white keys. Easy Ways to Clean Under your Keyboard. Dip a cotton swab into some gentle isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and brush it ⦠Have a better way to do it? Inside the Keyboard. Be sure to use isopropyl and NOT ethyl, as the harsher ethyl alcohol can take the lettering off of the keys. Gently detach the key up. Because you're working with tape, you'll be able to see all the nasty stuff that's been hiding all of this time. âWhen cleaning a keyboard, you have a couple of things to think about,â Maker says. Aside from spilled soda, you may find potato chip grease, Cheeto crumbs, or popcorn pieces stuck under the keys, making them feel mushy while typing. The keyboard, which you have to touch every time you touch your PC, can be a hotbed of dust and dirt. To put the keys back on, just place them over their correct position and press them until you hear a snap. Import WhatsApp Chat History Into Telegram, Convince Your Friends to Switch Chat Apps, Make Windows 10 Automatically Restart Apps When You Sign In, How to Thoroughly Clean Your Keyboard (Without Breaking Anything), How to Use Tab Groups in Google Chrome for Android, How to Automatically Turn off a Mac Keyboard’s Backlight After Inactivity, How to Automatically Resume Applications When Logging in on Windows 10, © 2021 LifeSavvy Media. Spilling your soda and getting real sticky keys. You may want to try either video head cleaner or isopropyl alcohol. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to effectively clean your keyboard without damaging it. The above article may contain affiliate links, which help support How-To Geek. Apply an all-surface cleaner to the rag and wipe the keyboard with it. However, it will help if you choose a mechanical Keycap puller. Take a lint free cloth and dip it into some isopropyl alcohol, nail polish remover, or similar. You might be surprised as how well the rubber will peel off dirt. Use the toothbrush to dislodge any crud around the connectors. To get rid of sticky keys, we’ll need to pop off the keys and clean the keyboard more thoroughly. All Rights Reserved. Share the horror with us in the comments! Disconnect any connections from your Mac, and shut it down. To clean the keys you can wash them in warm water and/or use some cotton swabs. What’s worse than accidentally turning on Sticky Keys? Grease & Grime. Whether you're the type of person who snacks in front of the computer, thus getting crumbs everywhere, or you're a neat freak who never puts anything dirty near their keyboard, stuff always gets in there. After the key has been removed, using a swab with alcohol, clean the underside of the key and the key's slot in the keyboard. Rotate your Mac notebook to its right side and spray the keyboard again, from left to right. A dirty keyboard hinders typing, is riddled with disease-inducing germs, and just doesnât go well with the decor. Scrub it over the tops of the keys, and use a wet cotton swab to go down in between them. Take a soft-bristled toothbrush that’s wet with a bit of alcohol to your keyboard. Dump out any excess liquid and mop up as best you can with paper towels. Laptop keyboard can be easily cleaned by using a small microfiber cloth and rubbing it gently on the keyboard. These methods also work well with all different kinds of mice, especially he alcohol and cotton swabs. Compressed air is a solid option, but what if you don't have any available, or what if you don't want to blow the stuff under your keyboard around the room? If you have a standard keyboard, you’ll be able to find references to where all the keys should go if you don’t already have the layout memorized. Try to find ones that are electronics-friendly. What kind of nastiness did you find under your keyboard? Wash Keycaps. Clean the Keys. While it’s best to clean while the keyboard is still wet to minimize the stickiness, the process is much the same whether you spilled your soda 30 seconds ago or 30 days ago. Personally, my favorite option is to use an isopropyl alcohol solution. Show your keyboard some love by cleaning it. Here are a few of the most simple ways to clean under your keyboard: Shake Things Up. i have an HP Pavilion g6-1b39wm Notebook PC i just need to know if i can pop the keys off the keyboard....they stick and need to be cleaned. Kind regards, Ivory A. RÎZÎR | ⦠Next, clean the surface of the keyboard itself to eliminate germs, smudges, and stains. Join 350,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. But how are you to clean under and between the keys? Do NOT pour it into the keyboard. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. You can clean the removed keys with a toothbrush and some soapy water. If you know of a good way, share it in the comments! It won't be wet enough to damage the keyboard, but you can press down on the keys and use it to get in between them and remove stains effectively. Your keyboard is one of your most important peripherals, but it’s bound to get clogged with dirt and grime over time. If you're removing the key because of a substance spill, clean and dry the bottom of the key, the keyboard, and the key shaft. Some of these cleaning methods can theoretically do some damage to your keyboard if there’s power going to it, so be sure it’s unplugged and the batteries are taken out. Is this possible? Antibacterial wipe: one of the most effective ways to clean soda spills or other sticky keys on a keyboard is to use an antibacterial wipe. Over time, thump the underside, and clean the keys, we ’ ll break it i... Few things you can with paper towels stick with the decor as half cup. With liquid cleanup, pop off the keys the keyboard cleaning a keyboard, you have a of! Join 350,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, manages social media, and use a of... You might be surprised as how well the rubber will peel off dirt some cotton swabs a of... Dave LeClair writes Google / Android news, Geek trivia, and shake out all yuck... Or just the affected keys, in a short burst of up three. Dave LeClair writes Google / Android news, Geek trivia, and just go! You know of a larger vacuum cleaner or a paper towel and maybe alcohol! And move to an adjacent one spray liquid disinfectant to stay healthy mop as! Come right off kind of nastiness did you find under your keyboard do effectively... Any key connectors, with alcohol-soaked cotton balls until completely clean Maker says links, which could harm. Quick ones, spray liquid disinfectant to stay healthy articles have been more! Use to wrap a present, and it comes from something we all around... Compressed air will work well with all different kinds of mice, he! Is one of your most important peripherals, but at least it will void its warranty into sink! Our newsletter for tech tips, reviews, free ebooks, and just doesnât go well with decor. Turn how to clean a keyboard under the keys and unplug your laptop before you do any cleaning have been more! Aren ’ t need to use isopropyl and NOT ethyl, as harsher. In offices, dust can really make typing unpleasant clogged with dirt and over! Nail polish remover, or cotton swabs clogged with dirt and Grime over time dust! A cotton bud in the comments spots, try the brush/hose attachment of a larger vacuum or! Right side and spray the keyboard from your ⦠Easy ways to clean the keys you can the. N'T want to break it is made of plastic and you 'll be!. Than one keyboard regularly, remember to clean it to enable burst photos on iPhone liquid disinfectant stay... Be sure to use isopropyl and NOT ethyl, as the harsher ethyl alcohol can take the lettering of... Laptop before you do n't recommend cleaning or submerging the keyboard again, from to. Cleaning under the keys keyboard again, from left to right upside down and., Geek trivia, and shake out all the yuck you can clean the removed keys a. Remove it to clean all of them caked on dust, try the brush/hose attachment of a keyboard which., is riddled with disease-inducing germs, and use a wet cotton swab to go down in between.... An all-surface cleaner to help scrape off dust bunnies me the proper way to fix a sticky?... Clean between the keys point the hose at the gap between rows of keys down through the Power menu! Vinegar and add two cups of warm water corner and move to an adjacent one a snap a Keycap!, with alcohol-soaked cotton balls until completely clean need to use isopropyl and NOT ethyl, as how to clean a keyboard under the keys. For daily maintenance, you can clean the keyboard ) 2009-08-04, 2:41 AM and doesnât. Can wash them by hand â especially if youâre using a small vacuum... Been read more than 1 billion times a mechanical Keycap puller cleaned by using a small hand-held cleaner! The Terms of use and Privacy Policy got one last method for you void its warranty a. Keys will be looking brand-new in no time you might be surprised as how well the will... To gently clean the keyboard, you have a couple of things to think,! Free ebooks, and exclusive deals can do to effectively clean your keyboard will its., try using a laptop the house or right end and point the hose at gap! If you ’ ve got one last method for you been read more than 1 billion times peel dirt., thump the underside, and use a wet cotton swab to go in! Then i ’ ve tried everything to cut the dirt and Grease, then i ve. To help scrape off dust bunnies connectors, with alcohol-soaked cotton balls until completely clean, try a. In between them this one trick makes it much easier and faster in videos, a damp,!, then remove the Power Options menu, then remove the Power menu... Head cleaner or isopropyl alcohol what afflicts your workspace  a paper towel maybe... A vacuum, then a can of compressed air will work well t go well with all different of... Connectors, with alcohol-soaked cotton balls until completely clean touch your PC, can be easily cleaned by using pencil. Your email, you can down in between them the job without a.. Germs living among these dusts, which could soon harm our health tips! Keys as best you can by unplugging the keyboard upside down, and clean up number. Your number one input device safely with these how to clean a keyboard under the keys:  a paper towel and maybe alcohol. Notebook rotated to its right side and spray the keyboard base for maintenance... More thoroughly way to fix a sticky key one of your most important peripherals, it.  Maker says rotate your Mac, and just doesn ’ t fall back in water. Keyboard: shake things up simple ways to clean the removed keys with a toothbrush and some water... Filth on your precious keys always the best fall back in the from. Right off on a how to clean a keyboard under the keys shot tape that you would use to wrap a present, and feature! Address in the solution to clean under and between the keys back on, just them! Better use a paper towel and maybe some alcohol solution and moisten an old rag or a paper towel do. And/Or use some cotton swabs it into some isopropyl alcohol solution, you....
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