If properly cared for, mechanical keyboards can last for many years. A short cleanup doesn’t take much time, and when done frequently, it can stop a number of keyboard-related problems. The buildup of dirt beneath a key is among the most frequent causes of key failure. In this article, we’ll show you how to restore a damaged key and provide the finest methods for cleaning your mechanical keyboard.
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Summary of Contents
Light Clean-up
Within days of cleaning, it’s fairly typical for dust to accumulate in your mechanical keyboard. Because dirt frequently gets trapped between the keys, it’s important to lightly wipe your keyboard on a regular basis to keep the dirt from building up. Whenever you notice the dirt accumulating or every two weeks, you can execute a quick surface clean. Here’s how to go about it.
- Invest in a keyboard vacuum cleaner. It may seem excessive initially, but it is the easiest and most efficient way to extract dirt from your mechanical keyboard. It can even reach all those corners that are otherwise inaccessible. Most vacuums come with different attachments that will cover all bases when it comes to removing dirt from all areas of the keyboard.
- If you do not have a keyboard vacuum cleaner, using a brush also gets the work done. While it may not be as efficient as a vacuum, it still comes in very handy when doing regular light clean-ups on your keyboard. Some people do not feel the need to buy a vacuum when they use a brush on their keyboard once a week. A good brush has long bristles that can reach between the keys to wipe out the dirt. After brushing your keyboard, turn it upside down and gently tap the back to get all the small particles out.
- After you ve got the dirt out from between the keys, use a clean, damp microfiber cloth to wipe the keyboard down. Once you ve wiped it with a damp cloth, wipe it again with a dry one to make sure no moisture gets stuck to the keys.
Deep Clean
Give your mechanical keyboard a thorough deep clean once every few months if you want to lengthen its lifespan. A light surface clean removes the dust, but it does not completely stop it from getting under the keys. A thorough cleaning leaves your keyboard looking brand new and gets rid of all dirt and dust particles.
- Use a keycap puller to disassemble all keys from your keyboard. You can find good keycap pullers on Amazon. Make sure you take a picture of your keyboard before you pull out the keys, so you know which key goes where.
- Put the keys in a bowl of soap water to soak. Leave them there for a few hours, undisturbed. Once they ve been thoroughly soaked, rinse them with clean water and wipe them with a clean cloth. After wiping, lay them out upside down to air dry. Let them air dry for at least a day, so there s no moisture left in them. Do not air dry in a humid place, like a bathroom.
- Use a clean brush to unsettle all the dirt from your keyboard. Now that all the keys have been pulled out, it will be easy to spot the clumps of dirt that have accumulated over time. Once the dirt is loose, turn your keyboard upside down and tap it gently on the back to remove all the dirt particles. Use the vacuum on the keyboard to remove the finer dust particles. Wipe the case with a clean microfiber cloth once all the dirt is removed.
- Plug the keycaps back in, following the picture you took before disassembling them. Once everything is in place, give everything another wipe with a microfiber cloth.
Additional advice: How to handle spills
If your drink taints the electric circuits in your keyboard, spilling it there could render it useless. When you’ve dropped a drink on your keyboard, you need to take action right away. To start with, unplug the keyboard from your desktop to protect it from circuit damage. If water has accidentally spilled on your keyboard, dab the area with a dry cloth and wait for it to dry. The next step is to take off all the keycaps and clean everything with a fresh microfiber cloth. Before plugging the keyboard back in again, let the keycaps and case dry naturally for a day.
To completely remove the stickiness from your keyboard after a beverage or sugary drink spill, you must deep clean it.
How to fix a broken key?
Several factors, including a bad connection, a buildup of dirt, a blocked switch, and a circuit failure, might cause a key to stop working. There could be a way to salvage a damaged key before you consider throwing away your keyboard. Here are a few techniques for fixing a broken key.
- There may be an issue with the cable connecting your keyboard to the desktop. Try using a different USB cable to connect your keyboard to the PC. You can also try plugging the current cable into a different port.
- Sometimes a key may become unresponsive due to excessive dirt collecting under it. Pull the keycap out and remove any dirt from under it. Blow on the switch and plug it back in.
- If your keyboard comes with a swappable switch, you can try replacing it. There are different tools that you can use to remove a switch under a key. Pop the new switch in and see if it works.
Read also: How to clean or remove water from the speaker of your smartphone.
Your mechanical keyboard will last longer and prevent key malfunctions if it is cleaned regularly. Once a week, it is advised that you lightly wipe your keyboard. Every two months, a thorough deep clean should be carried out. By abstaining from food while using the computer and keeping your keyboard away from open windows and other sources of dust, you can also lessen the amount of dirt that gets into your keyboard.
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