Clean your keyboard – here’s how

Cleaning your keyboard not only removes dust and germs from your computer, but also increases the longevity of your keyboard.

Clean your keyboard with Post-its: quickly, cheaply and effectively

Almost everyone has classic Post-its on their desk. You can use them to effectively clean your keyboard. Just follow our instructions:

• Make sure that your computer or laptop is turned off and disconnect the keyboard from the device if possible. This will prevent damage during cleaning.

• Take a Post-it note and remove it so that the adhesive side is visible.

• Run the post-it with the adhesive side down through the individual rows of keys. Move it slowly and evenly to ensure that the adhesive strip picks up the dirt and dust.

• Make sure you cover all areas, especially the spaces between the keys, where crumbs and dust often accumulate.

• Check the post-it after pulling it through; you should see a build-up of dirt and dust on it. If necessary, repeat the process with a fresh post-it.

Deep clean your computer keyboard

To thoroughly clean your desktop PC keyboard, you need to remove all the keys. Before doing so, however, you should memorize the layout of your keyboard or, better yet, take a photo of it to avoid misplacing them afterwards.

• With the help of a pen or screwdriver, the keys can be released from the case. This requires a lot of patience and, above all, fine motor skills.

• The keys are usually dishwasher safe. So nothing should happen in a 40-degree program. You have to be careful with cheap keyboards, because the letters are only printed on them and could come off if you use a strong cleaning agent.

• You can now remove the coarse dirt from the spaces in your keyboard by vacuuming the dust crumbs from above with a conventional vacuum cleaner on the lowest power setting.

• Then, you can remove stubborn stains with a damp cloth. Use a cotton swab soaked in soapy water or washing-up liquid for the corners.

• Finally, place the keys back in their original position.

This is how you proceed with a laptop keyboard

The keys of a laptop keyboard should only be removed in an emergency, as the holders can break off much more easily than on a classic computer keyboard. A more gentle cleaning method is available here:

• Make sure that the laptop is turned off so that you don’t trigger any unintended commands through keyboard shortcuts. Also remove the battery to prevent possible electric shocks.

• Now you can turn your laptop upside down and shake it gently to loosen coarse grains and crumbs.

• Stubborn stains can be removed with the help of a slightly damp microfiber cloth, before everything is wiped dry with a paper or kitchen towel.

• In addition, a conventional vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment can also be used. You should proceed with particular caution here and be sure to set the vacuum to the lowest power level so that the keys are not sucked out.

• The spaces between the keys can be easily cleaned with small interdental brushes, which not only allow you to get into every corner, but also under the keys.