Dirty keyboards can make computer time unpleasant. Whether you are troubled with appearance or function, you can improve how a dirty keyboard alters your computer experience. This guide will help. For more detail, look at this article — it even has pictures.

Disconnect the keyboard

A keyboard effects an operating, connected computer with very low-level interrupts. Keyboard interrupts are caused as switches operate during keystrokes. Wisdom indicates cleaning should involve a disconnected keyboard. Cleaning a keyboard is not difficult but, this is a good time to print unfamiliar advice in procedure.

Surface cleaning

Keycaps accumulate oily grime and labels can be obscured. Certainly, we can type without looking at our keyboards; however, less popular may require reassurance — particularly keys more than once removed from (asdfjkl;) home keys. Oils easily disolve with a very common household fluid, which happens to be an ideal cleaning fluid for electronic devices — isopropyl alcohol. Use lint-free cloth and cotton swabs when applying and clearing the alcohol; a quick, surface cleaning might gain some advantage with a airflow from a vaccuum cleaner or a can of compressed air.

Deep cleaning

Make a map of key placement on the keyboard before deep cleaning. The keyboard will be partially disassembled and a little preparation will prevent much frustration after reassembly.

Lift the bottom of each key with a small screwdriver or butterknife. Very little force will seperate the keys from their guides. Without keys in place, deep cleaning a keyboard is just slightly more difficult than surface cleaning. Vaccuum out, or use compressed air to blow, contaminant from the keyboard interior. Take advantage of the disassembly again; before replacing the keys, clean them with isopropyl alcohol. Carefully replace the keys after they dry.

Reconnect the keyboard

Enjoy the look and action of a clean keyboard. Often a cleaned, used keyboard outperforms a new keyboard.