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What Can You Use To Clean Keyboard?

A closeup shot of tiny figurines cleaning the keyboard

Our computers and laptops are used more than ever these days. We often overlook how much the keyboard itself is touched. It too needs to be cleaned. What can you use to clean the keyboard?

You can clean a keyboard with alcohol or alcohol-based wipes, wet wipes, or Clorox wipes. Use compressed air to remove any loose debris. Never use bleach or hydrogen peroxide on the keyboard.

Anything we frequently touch needs to be cleaned. Keyboards are designed to withstand a lot of use but a build-up of dirt and grime will eventually ruin the keys and sensors. Thankfully, cleaning the keyboard is not complicated or time-consuming.

Can You Use Alcohol To Clean Your Keyboard?

Photo of crumble of tissues with alcohol for cleaning the keyboard

Alcohol is known for disinfecting surfaces that are frequently touched. Can you use alcohol to clean a keyboard?

You can use alcohol to clean a keyboard. Alcohol evaporates quickly so there is no danger of it lingering on the keyboard, damaging the sensors. Use a cotton swab or cloth that is lightly moistened with alcohol. Gently wipe around the top of each key.

Cleaning your keyboard with alcohol is the quickest and safest way to clean and disinfect your keyboard. If you are on your computer a lot or you work around a lot of people, it is good to regularly disinfect the keyboards.

Can You Use Wipes (Baby/Lysol/Wet/Clorox) To Clean Your Keyboard?

A close up shot of a person's hand with gloves cleaning keyboard with wet wipes

Wipes are the quickest way to clean and sanitize our hands. Can you use wipes (Baby/Lysol/Wet/Clorox) to clean your keyboard?

You can use wipes (baby/Lysol/wet/Clorox) to clean your keyboard, but caution needs to be used. Not all wipes are safe to use on electronics. Use wipes that are not dripping wet or that contain extra skin conditioners or oils.

Wipes are easy to store in a drawer and use anytime you need to give the keyboard a quick cleaning. Some wipes are good for cleaning, others are good for disinfecting.

Baby Wipes

Baby wipes are gentle and, often, free of ingredients that damage the covering of the keys. They can be used when there is nothing else available. Baby wipes will not disinfect the keyboard, but they will remove dirt, dust, and food.

Lysol

Lysol wipes will clean and disinfect the keyboard. Avoid using wipes that are excessively wet. Use Lysol wipes that are at least 70% isopropyl alcohol. Using a higher amount of alcohol could damage the covering of the keyboard.

Wet Wipes

Wet wipes have a high alcohol content which makes them a good wipe to use when disinfecting surfaces, even keyboards. The alcohol content is high but it evaporates quickly.

Using wet wipes to clean your keyboard is a good idea when the keyboard is used in a public space or by multiple people.

Clorox Wipes

Clorox wipes have become a household staple in the last few years. Clorox wipes kill 99% of germs and viruses on surfaces, making it a great option for disinfecting a keyboard.

Contrary to what many think, Clorox wipes do not contain any bleach. Bleach should never be used on any electronic device.

[This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 05/19/2022.]

Can You Use Compressed Air To Clean Your Keyboard?

Close up shot of compressed air aerosol spray

When your keyboard is out on the desk all day every day, dust, dirt, and even food can get down in between the keys. Can you use compressed air to clean the keyboard?

You can use compressed air to clean the keyboard. Compressed air, when released, forces air out of the can at a high rate of speed, dislodging dirt, dust, food, and other debris from between and under the keys.

Compressed air can be purchased at any big retailer or office store but caution needs to be exercised when using it. Contrary to what the label says, cans of compressed air are not full of air. Cans of compressed air contain ingredients that can be harmful.

Some brands of compressed air contain ingredients that can be flammable, especially when used in areas that are not well ventilated or where there are flames, electrical switches, or other components that could start a fire.

Non Flammable alternatives are available so do your research before you use whatever is on the shelf and start spraying your electronics.

Compressed air contains a refrigerant, making the air cool. The refrigerant can cause frostbite when the skin is in contact with compressed air. The skin can become ‘burnt’ and cracked. It can also cause damage to the muscles, blood vessels, and nerves in the arm and hand.

Using compressed air in an area that is not well ventilated can cause asphyxiation. This type of incident is low but the danger still exists. Minor lung irritation can also occur if the vapors are inhaled.

Can You Use Water To Clean Your Keyboard?

A close up shot of a person's hand with gloves cleaning keyboard using a cloth with water on a spray bottle

Water is the purest ingredient in almost every cleaning product. Can you use water to clean a keyboard?

You can use water to clean a keyboard. Water will not disinfect the keyboard, but it will remove dust, dirt, hair, and other debris on the keyboard. Use a soft, lint-free cloth that is dampened with water to clean between the keys.

Water should never be sprayed onto the keyboard. The moisture will inevitably get in areas where water should not be and it will ruin the inner components of the keyboard.

Water is also effective to use after cleaning and disinfecting the keyboard with a chemical-based cleaner. A damp lint-free cloth will remove any residual residue left behind from the disinfectants.

Be sure the dry the keyboard completely before plugging it back in and using it after it has been cleaned.

Can You Use a Vacuum To Clean Keyboard?

A close up shot of a person's hand with cleaning keyboard using mini vacuum cleaner

Vacuum’s come with a variety of attachments and settings to clean just about every nook and cranny in our homes and cars. Can you use a vacuum to clean a keyboard?

You can use a vacuum to clean a keyboard, but caution is needed. The suction from a vacuum cleaner could remove the keys from the keyboard. Use a vacuum that has adjustable settings and a brush or upholstery attachment.

It can be tempting to simply turn the vacuum on and start sucking up all the crumbs and dust between the keys, but that might not be the wisest thing to do. Only use a handheld vacuum with adjustable settings for better control and moveability.

Can You Use Contact Cleaner To Clean Keyboard?

Contact cleaner is designed to clean electronics without damaging the circuits. Can you use contact cleaner to clean a keyboard?

Contact cleaner should not be used to clean a keyboard. Contact cleaner is designed to remove oil, dirt, and condensation from sensitive electrical equipment; however it is a liquid, not compressed air. The liquid cleaner can become trapped behind the keys, ruining the keyboard.

Contact cleaner is not the same as compressed air. Compression simply forces debris out with a sharp burst of air. Contact cleaner sprays a mist of liquid cleaner onto surfaces.

The moisture from the cleaner will ruin the keyboard. Even if the keys are removable, spraying liquid onto the keyboard can result in moisture traveling to areas you cannot see or reach to dry.

[This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 05/19/2022.]

Can You Use Hydrogen Peroxide To Clean Your Keyboard?

Most of us grew up using hydrogen peroxide on our cuts and scrapes. That fizzy, bubbly reaction made us feel like we were killing bad germs. Can you use hydrogen peroxide to clean a keyboard?

You can use hydrogen peroxide to clean a keyboard, but it is not recommended. Hydrogen peroxide is very wet and evaporates very slowly, making this the perfect combination for eating the covering on the keyboard.

Hydrogen peroxide needs to sit on a surface for a few minutes in order to disinfect it. The longer hydrogen peroxide sits on the keyboard, the greater the chance of it eating through the plastic covering of the keyboard.

Can You Use Hand Sanitizer To Clean Your Keyboard?

A photo of a hand sanitizer in a dispenser bottle

Hand sanitizers are the quickest and easiest way to sanitize our hands, no matter where we are. Can you use hand sanitizer to clean a keyboard?

You can use hand sanitizer to clean a keyboard. Hand sanitizer’s main active ingredient is alcohol. Alcohol disinfects on contact and evaporates quickly. Do not use so much sanitizer it drips between the keys.

Hand sanitizer is the easiest way to clean a keyboard that is used in a public location. One quick pump and you can sanitize your hands and the keys you’re about to touch.

Be careful when using hand sanitizer that has added skin conditioners or essential oils. These ingredients are great for preventing our hands from drying and cracking but when it comes to our keyboard, they can create a filmy layer that will take some extra work to remove.

Can You Use Slime To Clean Your Keyboard?

A photo of the a keyboard with the cleaning slime

You need to clean your keyboard but you don’t have tape or a can of compressed air. Can you use slime to clean your keyboard?

You can use slime to clean your keyboard. Slime that is meant for cleaning only can gently pick up dust, dirt, and other debris without wetting or damaging the keys and sensors underneath.

Slime and electronics are not two words you expect to read in the same sentence but it’s 2022 and we do things differently now. Cleaning slime is an effective, and fun, way to clean your keyboard.

Cleaning slime is inexpensive and can be purchased online or you can make your own. Be careful when making your own, though. The slime needs to be moldable but not wet. The wrong consistency will ruin your keyboard.

If you want to experiment with making your own cleaning slime, here is one recipe to try.

Step 1: Mix ½ teaspoon of Borax with 1 Tablespoon of warm water. Borax can be found online or at big box stores such as Walmart or Home Depot.

Step 2: Mix the ingredients together until the Borax is completely dissolved. Set the mix aside.

Step 3: In another bowl, mix 1 Tablespoon of warm water with 1 Tablespoon of strong white glue. Using regular white glue will not give your slime the stretchy, slimy result you need.

Use strong white glue to get a more malleable slime ball. If you want to get creative and have fun, you can add two drops of food coloring to the mix.

Step 4: Slowly combine the borax water and the glue water together. You may not need all of the Borax mix.

Step 5: Stir the ingredients together until you get a firm consistency. It will start off gooey but it will firm up as you keep stirring.

Step 6: Use your hands to knead the mix together until it becomes dry. This will take a few minutes.

Step 7: If the slime is too sticky or will not form into a ball, add more borax, a little at a time.

Step 8: The slime should be a molded ball that is not sticky or wet. Do not use the slime to clean anything until this consistency is achieved.

The cleaning slime will only last for a few hours. After a few hours, it will become hard and less sticky. When you are done cleaning with it, throw it away in the trash. Never flush the slime down the toilet!

[This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 05/19/2022.]

This content is owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on May 19, 2022..

Can You Use a Hair Dryer To Clean Your Keyboard?

We use hair dryers for so many things other than drying hair. They defrost the freezer, they melt gum from your child’s hair, and they even make stickers sticky again. Can you use a hairdryer to clean a keyboard?

You can use a hairdryer to clean a keyboard if it has adjustable settings. Never use a hairdryer in a high heat setting for any reason. Use the lowest, cool setting to remove loose dirt and debris from the keys.

Hairdryers are a more available option when you don’t have a can of compressed air nearby. But if you are trying to dry liquid that has spilled into the keyboard, do not use a hairdryer.

The hairdryer needs to be on a high heat setting to evaporate liquids. The amount needed to evaporate the liquid will also result in melted keys. If you need to dry out a keyboard, here is what you need to do.

Step 1: Immediately power down the computer or laptop.

Step 2: Remove the battery and anything else that is plugged in – power cable anything in the USB ports, everything.

Step 3: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to absorb any liquid you can reach.

Step 4: Leave the keyboard upside down for at least 48 hours to dry.

Can You Use WD40 To Clean Your Keyboard?

You can use WD40 to clean a keyboard if it is designed for electronics and is an air duster only. WD40 cleaner contains solvents that are flammable and will ruin the keyboard. The air duster will use compressed air to quickly remove dust and other debris from the keys.

Can You Use Dish Soap To Clean Your Keyboard?

You can use dish soap to clean a keyboard. Mix dish soap and warm water together in a small bowl. Do not pour the liquid solution onto the keyboard. Use a soft cloth dampened with the soapy water to gently clean the keyboard.

This article was first published on May 19, 2022 by Wabi Sabi Group..

Can You Use Colin To Clean Keyboard?

You can use Colin to clean a keyboard. Mix Colin soap with warm water in a small bowl. Use a soft cloth dipped in the solution. Wring out the excess liquid and gently wipe the keyboard. Do not let any liquid get in between the keys.

How To Clean Computer Keyboards Properly?

To clean your keyboard you need to first unplug it if you are not using a USB-connected keyboard. If you are cleaning the keyboard on a laptop, power down the laptop and unplug it.

Depending on how filthy your keyboard is, you might want to start by turning the keyboard upside down to shake out any loose debris. A can of compressed air will blow loose any small bits that do not fall out on their own.

Dip a Q-tip into some rubbing alcohol. The swab should not be dripping wet. Gently wipe the swab around each key. You may need to use more than one swab to cover the entire keyboard.

If the keys on your keyboard are removable, consult the User’s Manual for specific instructions on how to safely clean underneath the keys. For laptop keyboards, you can use a piece of tape to gently maneuver around and under the keys.

Once the keys are clean, dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with alcohol or use a disinfecting wipe to disinfect the tops of each key.

Use a dry, lint-free cloth to dry everything and remove any lingering dust.

Make sure the keyboard is completely dry before plugging it back in and turning it on.

To clean a computer keyboard properly, use compressed air to quickly remove loose dirt, dust, and other debris. Use a cloth or cotton swab dipped in alcohol to disinfect the keys. Wipe the keyboard with a damp cloth to remove any residue. Allow the keys to dry before using.

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WabiSabi Group is the owner of this article and was published on May 19, 2022 and last modified on .

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