How to Clean a Keyboard

Crumbs, dust and grease build up between keys until they stick, rattle or stop working. Cleaning a keyboard takes ten minutes for a quick clean, or longer if you remove and wash the keycaps. This guide shows how to clean a keyboard step by step, with what Microsoft, Apple, Logitech, Corsair, Razer and Keychron each recommend, including the points where they disagree.

What you need

A can of compressed air, or a hair dryer on a cool setting
A soft, lint-free cloth and cotton swabs
Mild dish soap and water
A keycap puller, for mechanical keyboards with removable keycaps
Isopropyl alcohol only if your keyboard maker allows it (see below)

Step 1: unplug and switch off

Every maker starts here. Corsair says to switch off or unplug the keyboard and wait at least 5 seconds before cleaning. Take out removable batteries from wireless keyboards, and Razer adds that you should disconnect anything plugged into a passthrough port.

Step 2: remove loose dirt

Hold the keyboard upside down and tap it gently. Logitech warns that “too hard a whack may cause damage”.
Blow compressed air between the keys in short bursts. Keep the can upright: Logitech says tilting it can spray liquid that “can cause frostbite”, and to use it in a well-ventilated area.
No compressed air? Logitech suggests a hair dryer on a cool setting, never hot.
Microsoft also suggests a vacuum with a dusting brush. Keychron advises against high-powered vacuums unless they are anti-static.

Step 3: wipe the keys and surface

Microsoft’s method: lightly dampen a lint-free cloth or cotton swab with mild soap and water and wipe the keys, “being careful not to drip any water into the keyboard”. Logitech uses plain tap water on the cloth. Every maker agrees on one rule: spray or wet the cloth, never the keyboard.

Razer adds a useful tip: make sure the surface is free of visible dust first, because wiping debris across it can cause small scratches.

Can you use isopropyl alcohol on a keyboard?

The makers give different answers:

Maker	Isopropyl alcohol
Microsoft	70% or less, on a cloth
Apple	70% wipes on hard surfaces
Logitech	Swabs under 25%; test first
Corsair	Recommended for surfaces
Razer	Avoid all alcohol cleaners

Logitech suggests testing alcohol on a hidden area first, so it does not discolour the keyboard or remove printing. HP warns that alcohol can wear off key legends. If your maker says to avoid alcohol, use a damp cloth instead.

Step 4: deep clean a mechanical keyboard

Remove the keycaps

Take a photo of your keyboard first, so you can put the keys back in the right places.
Use a keycap puller: Corsair says to press it down until both sides catch under the edges of the keycap, then pull straight up.
Be careful with large keys such as Space, Enter and Shift. Keychron notes that they use stabilisers.
Do not lever keycaps off with metal tools. Corsair says this can scuff, scratch or dent them.

Only remove keycaps from desktop keyboards designed for it. Razer says not to remove the keycaps on its Blade laptops, and Apple’s advice for MacBook keyboards uses compressed air only.

Wash the keycaps

Fill a bowl with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap.
Soak the keycaps. Keychron suggests about 10 to 15 minutes; Corsair says 30 to 60 minutes.
Rinse them and dry them with a towel.
Let them dry completely, overnight if possible. Keychron’s rule: “Never refit damp keycaps.”

Corsair says to use water that is hot “but not boiling”. While the keycaps are off, blow out the board with compressed air and wipe around the switches with a barely damp swab.

Cleaning a MacBook keyboard

Apple gives a specific method for MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards with a key that does not respond or feels different:

Hold the laptop at a 75-degree angle, so it is not quite vertical.
Spray compressed air across the keyboard, or just the affected keys, from left to right.
Turn the laptop onto its right side and spray again from left to right.
Turn it onto its left side and repeat.

Use the straw on the can, keep it about 1.5 cm from the keys and do not turn the can upside down. If a key still does not work, Apple says to take the laptop to an Apple Store or authorised service provider.

Never submerge a keyboard

Razer, Logitech, Apple and Keychron all say not to put a keyboard in water. Corsair warns that liquid reaching the circuit board can cause problems. The exception is keyboards sold as washable, such as Logitech’s K310, which come with their own instructions.

What to do after a spill

HP gives these steps:

Unplug the keyboard immediately, or shut down and unplug the laptop.
Turn the keyboard upside down to drain the liquid.
Blot the area with a lint-free cloth. Do not wipe.
Leave it to dry completely, for at least 48 hours, before using it.

Not every maker gives a drying time: Lenovo says there is “no universal drying period” and advises keeping the device off and contacting support. If keys are sticky afterwards, Keychron suggests removing those keycaps and cleaning around the switches with a swab. Note that warranties often exclude liquid damage.

What not to use

No bleach, acetone or strong solvents. Logitech warns against them and says damage from them is not covered by its warranty.
No aerosol sprays or abrasives. Apple advises against both.
No WD-40. Keychron says it can damage plastic and gum up switches.
No sharp tools to prise off keycaps.

How often to clean your keyboard

Microsoft suggests cleaning “monthly or whenever needed”. Keychron suggests a quick wipe or blast of air every week and a deep clean with keycaps removed every three to six months.

Check your keyboard after cleaning

Plug it back in and press every key on our keyboard test. Each key should light up once and turn green. If one does not, see keyboard keys not working. Cleaning your mouse too? Read how to clean a mouse.

Frequently asked questions

How do I clean my keyboard without removing the keys?

Unplug it, tip it upside down and tap gently, blow compressed air between the keys, then wipe the keys with a lightly damp lint-free cloth.

Can I clean my keyboard with alcohol?

Only if your keyboard maker allows it. Microsoft allows 70% or less on a cloth, Logitech suggests under 25% and a patch test, and Razer says to avoid alcohol completely.

How do I clean sticky keys?

Remove the affected keycaps if your keyboard allows it, and clean around the switch with a cotton swab. On a laptop, use compressed air and contact the maker if the key still sticks.

Can I wash keycaps in water?

Yes, on keyboards with removable keycaps. Soak them in warm soapy water, rinse and let them dry fully before refitting them. Never put the keyboard itself in water.

How often should I clean my keyboard?

Microsoft suggests monthly or whenever needed. Keychron suggests a weekly quick clean and a deep clean every three to six months.

What should I do if I spill a drink on my keyboard?

Unplug it at once, turn it upside down, blot it with a cloth and let it dry for at least 48 hours before using it again.