Okay, so maybe I do a little “light snacking” while sitting at my desk. And maybe, just maybe, that occasionally means that I have to de-crapify by keyboard. I know that I can’t possibly be the only one who has this problem, though.
I use a laptop, so some of these suggestions don’t really apply to me, but if you need to clean your keyboard up a bit, here is how you do it so that you leave no evidence of your snacking behind:
For a standard keyboard:
- Start by shutting off the computer.
- Tip the keyboard upside down and gently shake it.
- If you have one, a can of compressed air can get some of the stuck on bits.
- To sanitize, dip a cotton ball or q-tip in rubbing alcohol. Gently swipe each key. Don’t saturate the cotton ball, just get it damp enough to do the job. {It’s probably a good idea to test it first, so that you make sure you don’t take off any of the letters on your keyboard.}
- Take a clean cloth and wipe off any remaining alcohol and dust.
- Plug it back in, and run and grab yourself a snack while your waiting for your computer to boot back up 🙂
For a laptop:
- Start by shutting off the laptop.
- Tip the laptop upside down and gently tap the back of it to remove any loose debris {read: cookie crumbs}
- Using the upholstery attachment, vacuum out any remaining crumbs. If you have one, a can of compressed air can get some of the stuck on bits.D
- Dip a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol and gently clean around all of the keys and the base of the keyboard.
- Take a clean cloth and wipe off any remaining alcohol and dust.
- Use a CLEAN, dry microfiber cloth to clean the screen.
- Plug it back in and boot her up.
If your keyboard is really, really gross you can take of the keys using a butter knife and wash them in a mild soap detergent. Allow them to dry completely before you reassemble your keyboard. Honestly, I would take a picture of my keyboard before starting. You might think you know where everything goes, but putting it back together could potentially become like solving a rubik’s cube {read: impossible}.
I’m pretty sure if I would commit to doing this once a month, my keyboard would look mostly clean, most of the time. How about you, how often do you clean your keyboard?
~Mavis
Julie Ann says
As a computer technician, I concur with this post – HOWEVER, I do caution against removing the keys on a LAPTOP, for those who misconstrue the placement of the “if your keyboard is really gross” paragraph. The laptop keys – NOT a mess an average person wants to get involved with (read: may cause permanent or irreparable key-attachment damage).
And, thank you, Mavis…you’ve reminded me my light snacking at my own work desk has left me with a task for today 😉 It seems I’ve let the poor girl go!
Mavis says
Glad an actual expert showed up to give us some real advice. You know me, fake it till I make it. Ha! Thanks for chiming in!!
Cherilyn says
I’d like to suggest a keyboard cover. I was able to find one that fits my particular keyboard nicely on Amazon for about $15. Its soft, clear silicone and doesn’t affect my typing. It prevents anything from getting on the keys, i.e. dust, food, liquid.
Mavis says
And it really doesn’t affect your ability to type? I looked at those but I was worried they would seem too cumbersome, but man, I envy how clean they would keep those keys!
Elaine McCarty says
If you wear nail polish, you will finds tons of colorful little bits in there too. I cleaned the keyboards at the hotel where I worked, and it was like mini confetti! I don’t think that plastic guard would have helped, lol.
Deborah says
Note of caution, the keys on a macbook pro laptop do not go back on….eeeekkkkk. I speak from experience and pain….having to purchase a new keyboard.
Mavis says
Yikes. Note to self {and everyone else out there!}. Learn from Deborah’s mistake.