✨ Maintenance & Modding

Cleaning & Maintaining Your Keyboard

Regular care routines and deep cleaning techniques to keep your keyboard in perfect condition.

8 min read

Your keyboard is an investment. With proper care and regular maintenance, it will continue performing well and looking great for years. This guide covers everything you need to know about keeping your keyboard clean, from daily maintenance to deep cleaning procedures.

Part 1: Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance prevents dirt buildup and keeps your keyboard functioning smoothly. A few minutes of care each week can save you from time-consuming deep cleans later.

Daily Care Routine (2 minutes)

After Each Use:

  • Wipe down the keycaps with a dry microfiber cloth
  • Remove visible crumbs or debris by turning the keyboard upside down and gently tapping
  • Keep food and drinks away from your keyboard

Why This Matters: Daily removal of oils from your fingers prevents grime buildup that becomes harder to clean over time.

Weekly Care Routine (5-10 minutes)

Once Per Week:

  1. Unplug your keyboard (or turn off wireless connection)
  2. Turn keyboard upside down over a trash can and gently shake to dislodge debris
  3. Use a soft brush or compressed air to remove dust between keys
  4. Wipe keycaps with a slightly damp microfiber cloth
  5. Dry thoroughly before reconnecting

WARNING: Never spray cleaning solutions directly onto your keyboard. Always apply to a cloth first.

Tools You’ll Need for Regular Maintenance

Essential keyboard cleaning tools including microfiber cloths, compressed air, soft brushes, isopropyl alcohol, cotton swabs, and keycap puller arranged on a clean surface

Essential:

  • Microfiber cloths (2-3 for rotation)
  • Compressed air can or electric air duster
  • Soft-bristle brush (clean makeup brush or dedicated keyboard brush)

Optional but Helpful:

  • Isopropyl alcohol (70% concentration)
  • Cotton swabs for tight spots
  • Keycap puller (included with most mechanical keyboards)

Part 2: Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning involves removing keycaps and thoroughly cleaning both the caps and the keyboard plate. Plan to deep clean every 3-6 months, or sooner if you notice sticky keys or visible grime.

When to Deep Clean

Signs Your Keyboard Needs Deep Cleaning:

  • Keys feel sticky or unresponsive
  • Visible dirt or discoloration on keycaps
  • Debris visible between keys
  • You spilled something (even if you cleaned immediately)
  • It’s been 6+ months since the last deep clean

What You’ll Need

Required:

  • Keycap puller
  • Bowl or container for keycaps
  • Mild dish soap
  • Warm water
  • Microfiber cloths or lint-free towels
  • Compressed air or electric duster
  • Soft brush

Optional:

  • Isopropyl alcohol (70-90%)
  • Cotton swabs
  • Small vacuum with brush attachment
  • Camera or phone (to photograph layout before removal)

Step-by-Step Deep Clean Process

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace (5 minutes)

  1. Take a photo of your keyboard layout, especially if you have non-standard keycaps or custom layouts
  2. Clear a clean, flat workspace with good lighting
  3. Unplug your keyboard or disconnect wireless connection
  4. Gather all cleaning materials
  5. Fill a bowl with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap

TIP: If your keyboard has RGB lighting or special features, consult the manufacturer’s manual before proceeding.

Step 2: Remove Keycaps Safely (10-15 minutes)

Proper keycap removal technique showing wire keycap puller positioned around a keycap with even pressure being applied straight upward

  1. Use the keycap puller: Place the wire loops around the keycap, apply even pressure, and pull straight up
  2. Start with letter keys before tackling larger keys (spacebar, shift, enter)
  3. Be gentle with stabilized keys: Larger keys have stabilizer bars underneath. Pull straight up slowly
  4. Place removed keycaps in your prepared soapy water bowl

WARNINGS:

  • NEVER force a keycap. If it resists, wiggle gently while pulling up
  • Be extra careful with the spacebar - stabilizers can be tricky to reassemble
  • Don’t remove keys on laptop keyboards unless manufacturer-approved - they use different mechanisms

For Stabilized Keys (spacebar, shift, enter):

  • Pull straight up slowly and evenly
  • You may hear a small pop - this is normal
  • Note how stabilizer bars attach before removal

Step 3: Clean the Keycaps (20-30 minutes)

Keycaps soaking in a bowl of warm soapy water with a soft brush nearby for scrubbing, and clean towel prepared for drying

  1. Let keycaps soak in warm soapy water for 10-15 minutes
  2. Agitate gently - swish them around to loosen grime
  3. Scrub stubborn spots with a soft brush or cloth
  4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap
  5. Dry completely - lay out on a clean towel and air dry for at least 2 hours

PRO TIP: For extra sanitization, use a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe after drying.

DO NOT:

  • Use hot water (can warp ABS plastic keycaps)
  • Put keycaps in dishwasher
  • Use abrasive cleaners or brushes
  • Rush the drying process - moisture will damage switches

Step 4: Clean the Keyboard Plate (15-20 minutes)

With keycaps removed, you have access to the plate and switches.

Keyboard with all keycaps removed showing exposed switches and plate being cleaned with compressed air and microfiber cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol

  1. Remove loose debris: Turn keyboard upside down and tap gently over trash can
  2. Use compressed air: Blow out dust and particles between switches
    • Hold can upright to prevent liquid propellant
    • Use short bursts
    • Angle to push debris out, not deeper in
  3. Vacuum carefully: Use a small vacuum with brush attachment if available (keep nozzle above switches)
  4. Wipe the plate: Use microfiber cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol
    • Clean around switches carefully
    • Don’t saturate - cloth should be barely damp
  5. Clean switch housings: Use cotton swabs with isopropyl alcohol for visible dirt on switch housings
  6. Let dry completely - wait 15-30 minutes before reassembly

CRITICAL WARNINGS:

  • Never pour liquid onto the keyboard
  • Don’t remove switches unless you know what you’re doing and have hot-swap sockets
  • Avoid cleaning inside switches - this requires disassembly and can damage them
  • Don’t use compressed air at extreme angles - can push debris into switches

Step 5: Clean the Case and Cable (5 minutes)

While everything dries:

  1. Wipe the case exterior with damp microfiber cloth
  2. Clean USB cable with isopropyl alcohol wipe
  3. Clean desk area where keyboard sits
  4. Check rubber feet - replace if worn

Step 6: Reassembly (15-20 minutes)

  1. Verify keycaps are completely dry - any moisture can damage switches
  2. Reference your layout photo
  3. Start with stabilized keys first (spacebar, shifts, enter):
    • Align stabilizer bars carefully
    • Press down firmly and evenly until you hear/feel a click
  4. Install remaining keycaps:
    • Align stem with switch
    • Press straight down firmly
    • Should click into place securely
  5. Test each key before finishing

Common Reassembly Issues:

  • Keycap won’t go on: Check orientation - most keycaps are not perfectly square
  • Stabilized key rattles: May need to reseat the stabilizer bar
  • Key feels mushy: Not fully seated - remove and press again firmly

Step 7: Final Testing (5 minutes)

  1. Reconnect keyboard
  2. Test every key using a typing test or keyboard tester website
  3. Check that all keys register properly
  4. Verify stabilized keys feel smooth

Part 3: Preventive Care

Prevention is easier than cleaning. These practices will keep your keyboard cleaner longer.

Protecting from Spills

Best Practices:

  • Keep drinks away - use a coaster at least 12 inches from keyboard
  • Use a keyboard cover when not in use (especially if you have pets)
  • Consider a silicone cover for protection during use (may affect typing feel)

If You Spill Something:

  1. Act immediately - every second counts
  2. Unplug/power off right away
  3. Turn upside down to drain liquid away from PCB
  4. Remove keycaps if possible
  5. Dry thoroughly - use paper towels to absorb liquid
  6. Let dry completely - 48-72 hours minimum before powering on
  7. For sugary/sticky spills: Deep clean immediately after drying

DO NOT:

  • Turn keyboard on while wet
  • Use heat to speed drying (no hair dryers)
  • Assume it’s fine if it still works - corrosion happens over time

Storage Tips

Daily Storage:

  • Keep dust cover on when not in use
  • Store in clean, dry area away from direct sunlight
  • Avoid extreme temperatures

Long-Term Storage:

  • Clean thoroughly before storing
  • Store in original box or protective case
  • Include silica gel packets to prevent moisture
  • Store in climate-controlled area

When to Replace Components

Keycaps:

  • Shine wear (smooth spots from finger oils) - cosmetic, replace if desired
  • Cracked or broken stems - replace immediately
  • Severe discoloration that won’t clean - replace for aesthetics

Switches:

  • Keys double-typing or not registering consistently
  • Scratchy feel that cleaning doesn’t fix (on linear switches)
  • Physical damage to housing

Cable:

  • Fraying or exposed wires
  • Intermittent connection issues
  • Physical damage to connectors

Entire Keyboard:

  • PCB water damage with corrosion
  • Multiple non-functioning keys after troubleshooting
  • Cost of repairs exceeds replacement value

Cleaning Schedule Reference

Use this table to maintain a consistent cleaning routine:

FrequencyTasksTime Required
Daily• Wipe down with dry cloth
• Remove visible debris		2 minutes
Weekly• Shake out debris
• Compressed air between keys
• Wipe with slightly damp cloth		5-10 minutes
Monthly• Thorough compressed air cleaning
• Clean case and cable
• Check for stuck keys or issues		15 minutes
Every 3-6 Months• Full deep clean with keycap removal
• Clean plate and switches
• Inspect for wear or damage		60-90 minutes
Annually• Full maintenance inspection
• Replace worn components
• Update firmware if available		2 hours

Tools and Materials Checklist

Print or save this checklist for reference:

Regular Maintenance Kit

  • Microfiber cloths (minimum 3)
  • Compressed air can or electric duster
  • Soft-bristle brush
  • Isopropyl alcohol (70%)
  • Cotton swabs
  • Dust cover

Deep Cleaning Kit

  • Keycap puller
  • Bowl for soaking keycaps
  • Mild dish soap
  • Warm water
  • Clean towels for drying
  • Compressed air
  • Isopropyl alcohol (70-90%)
  • Cotton swabs
  • Soft brush
  • Small vacuum (optional)
  • Camera/phone for photos

Emergency Spill Kit

  • Paper towels
  • Isopropyl alcohol (90%+)
  • Screwdriver set (for disassembly if needed)
  • Rice or silica gel packets
  • Patience (48-72 hour drying time)

Final Tips for Long-Term Keyboard Health

  1. Wash your hands before using your keyboard - prevents oil and dirt transfer
  2. Establish a routine - schedule deep cleans on your calendar
  3. Act quickly on spills - immediate action prevents permanent damage
  4. Don’t over-clean - excessive cleaning can wear out components faster
  5. Use quality tools - cheap keycap pullers can break stems
  6. Keep records - note when you clean and any issues you find
  7. Join the community - keyboard enthusiast forums can provide model-specific advice

Remember: A well-maintained keyboard will outlast a neglected one by years. The small investment of time in regular cleaning pays off in better performance, longevity, and a more pleasant typing experience.

Before and after comparison showing a visibly dirty keyboard with grimy keycaps and debris on the left, and the same keyboard after deep cleaning looking pristine and new on the right

Need replacement parts or cleaning tools? Check out our DIY Accessories section for keycap pullers, cleaning kits, and replacement components.

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