Ultimate Guide: How to Deep Clean Your Mechanical Keyboard Like a Pro

Mechanical keyboards are a joy to use. Their tactile feedback, responsiveness, and satisfying clicks elevate the typing experience. However, like any frequently used tool, they accumulate dust, crumbs, skin oils, and other grime over time. This buildup can not only make your keyboard look unsightly but can also affect its performance, leading to sticky keys, unresponsive switches, and an overall less enjoyable experience. Neglecting regular cleaning can even potentially damage your keyboard in the long run. Fear not, fellow keyboard enthusiasts! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of deep cleaning your mechanical keyboard, restoring it to its former glory and ensuring its long-lasting optimal performance.

Why Regular Cleaning Matters

Before we dive into the cleaning process, let’s understand why it’s crucial to maintain a clean keyboard:

• Performance: Dust and debris can get lodged under the keycaps, interfering with the smooth operation of the switches. This can result in sticky keys, inconsistent key presses, and a reduced overall typing speed and accuracy.
• Hygiene: Keyboards are breeding grounds for bacteria and germs, especially considering the frequent hand contact. Cleaning regularly helps maintain a hygienic workspace and prevents the spread of germs.
• Longevity: Accumulation of grime and dust can accelerate wear and tear on your keyboard components, potentially leading to premature failure. Regular cleaning helps ensure a long and reliable lifespan for your investment.
• Aesthetics: A clean keyboard simply looks better! Removing the grime and bringing back the luster to your keys can significantly enhance your setup’s overall aesthetic appeal.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

To properly clean your mechanical keyboard, you’ll need to gather a few essential tools and materials. Here’s a comprehensive list:

• Keycap Puller: A keycap puller is a small, inexpensive tool designed to remove keycaps without damaging them or the switches. There are two main types: wire keycap pullers and plastic keycap pullers. Wire pullers are generally considered more effective and less likely to damage the keycaps.
• Compressed Air or Air Blower: Used to blow away loose dust, debris, and hair from between the keys and other crevices. Canned air is convenient, but an electric air blower is a more sustainable and cost-effective long-term solution.
• Small Brush: A soft-bristled brush (like a makeup brush or a paintbrush) is excellent for gently sweeping away dust and debris from the keyboard surface and between keys.
• Microfiber Cloths: Microfiber cloths are ideal for wiping down the keyboard housing and keycaps. They are soft, absorbent, and less likely to scratch the surfaces.
• Dish Soap (Optional): If your keycaps are particularly greasy or dirty, you’ll need dish soap for cleaning them. Use a mild dish soap free from harsh chemicals.
• Warm Water: For rinsing the keycaps after cleaning them with soap.
• Two Bowls (Optional): One bowl for soaking keycaps in soapy water and another for rinsing with clean water.
• Small Screwdriver Set (Optional): If you want to fully disassemble your keyboard for a deep clean, you’ll need a screwdriver set. Make sure to note what screws go where and take pictures. Be careful because this may void your warranty.
• Isopropyl Alcohol (Optional): For spot cleaning stubborn stains or sanitizing your keyboard, use isopropyl alcohol with a 70% or higher concentration. Ensure you dilute it before applying it to plastics.
• Cotton Swabs or Q-Tips (Optional): For cleaning tight spaces and crevices, like around the switches, cotton swabs or Q-Tips are useful.
• Paper Towels: For drying keycaps and other components.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Mechanical Keyboard

Now that you have all your tools and materials ready, let’s start cleaning your mechanical keyboard. This process may seem daunting, but if you follow these steps carefully, it’s quite manageable. We’ll focus on a full deep clean, including removing keycaps, but some of the steps can be skipped for a quick clean.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Keyboard

Before you begin, it’s important to set up your workspace properly. Here’s what to do:

1. Turn off your keyboard and unplug it from your computer. This is absolutely essential to avoid any electrical accidents or damage to your keyboard.
2. Clear your workspace. Make sure you have plenty of room to work and won’t accidentally spill anything on your keyboard or other important items. Consider placing a large mat, or use your desk if you have enough space.
3. Take a “before” photo of your keyboard. This is optional, but it can be satisfying to see the difference between the before and after. It will also serve as a useful guide if you’re unsure about the original layout of your keycaps.

Step 2: Removing the Keycaps

Removing the keycaps is the first crucial step for a thorough clean. This is where the keycap puller comes in handy.

1. Start with an edge keycap or one in an area less prone to damage. This way, if you encounter any issues with the puller, you can fix them before moving on to more important keys.
2. Gently place the wire keycap puller around the keycap. Make sure the wires are positioned around the sides of the keycap, not on top or bottom of them. With plastic pullers, be sure the plastic prongs sit on opposite sides of the cap as well.
3. Apply even, upward pressure to pull the keycap straight up. Avoid twisting or bending the keycap puller. Be gentle and patient. Some keycaps may be tighter than others.
4. If you’re using a plastic keycap puller, rock it very gently from side to side as you pull upwards. Do not force the puller, as this can break the stems of the keycaps or even the switches.
5. Repeat the process for all of the keycaps. Take care not to lose any keycaps. It may be useful to organize them in rows, by size, or by color, either in a box or directly on a clean surface. This makes reassembly much easier.
6. For larger keycaps (like the spacebar, shift keys, or enter key) that have stabilizers, carefully remove them. Stabilizers can be metal bars or plastic attachments that help balance larger keycaps. Pay close attention to how the stabilizers are attached to the keycap and the plate. Take photos if you need to. Some stabilizers can simply be pulled off, while others require a bit more finesse.
7. If you have a keycap puller that also works as a switch puller, do not remove your switches unless you intend to work on them. Removing switches increases the likelihood of damaging them or the plate they attach to.

Step 3: Cleaning the Keycaps

With the keycaps removed, it’s time to clean them. You have several options, depending on how dirty they are.

1. For lightly soiled keycaps, start by wiping them with a dry microfiber cloth. This will remove any loose dust or debris.
2. For more stubborn grime, use warm, soapy water. Fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of mild dish soap. Soak the keycaps in the soapy water for about 15-20 minutes. This will help loosen the grime.
3. Gently scrub the keycaps with a small brush or your fingers. Pay special attention to the edges and crevices.
4. Rinse the keycaps thoroughly with clean water in another bowl, or under a tap. Make sure all traces of soap are removed. Residual soap can create a sticky mess when the keycaps dry.
5. Lay the keycaps on a paper towel and let them air dry completely. Do not try to dry the keycaps with a cloth unless it’s a soft, dry microfiber cloth, to avoid any potential damage. Make sure they are entirely dry before reattaching them to the keyboard.
6. Alternatively, if you’re in a hurry, you can also use a hair dryer on the coolest setting to dry them quicker. Just make sure not to overheat the keycaps.
7. Do not put keycaps in the dishwasher. This can damage them or cause the lettering to fade, especially if they are double shot.

Step 4: Cleaning the Keyboard Base (Plate and Housing)

Now it’s time to tackle the keyboard base itself – the plate and housing.

1. Use a can of compressed air or an air blower to blow away loose dust, debris, and hair. Pay special attention to the gaps between the switches and around the edges of the keyboard. Keep the can of compressed air upright to prevent any liquid from coming out.
2. Use a small brush to sweep away any remaining debris. Gently brush between the switches, around the edges of the plate, and along any crevices.
3. For stubborn grime, lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with isopropyl alcohol. Do not pour alcohol directly onto the keyboard. Make sure that you dilute the alcohol if it’s not already diluted to 70% or lower. Use the damp cloth to wipe down the plate and housing, paying attention to areas where dirt and grime tend to accumulate.
4. If you don’t have isopropyl alcohol, you can use slightly dampened microfiber cloth with water, ensuring not to oversaturate it. Use the cloth to wipe down the entire surface, and remove any remaining grime. Ensure not to get any water into the switches or electronics of the keyboard itself.
5. For tight spots and crevices, use cotton swabs or Q-Tips. Dip the swabs in isopropyl alcohol (or water) and gently clean around the switches and other areas that are difficult to reach with a cloth.
6. If there is hardened grime or stains on your keyboard, you can use a soft toothbrush lightly dipped in cleaning solution to gently scrub the affected area. Be very gentle, and avoid scrubbing too hard. This can damage the plate or the finish of your keyboard.
7. Once you’re done, use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the keyboard and remove any remaining moisture or cleaning solution. Allow the keyboard base to air dry completely before reattaching the keycaps.

Step 5 (Optional): Deep Clean – Disassembling the Keyboard

If you’re looking for the ultimate deep clean, you can disassemble your keyboard. This is more advanced and not recommended for beginners. It can be risky and might void your warranty. If you decide to proceed, here’s how to do it:

1. Research your specific keyboard model. Look for online guides or videos that show how to disassemble your keyboard correctly. There are many different models out there and it’s crucial you find instructions specific to yours.
2. Use a small screwdriver set to carefully remove all the screws from the back of the keyboard. Be very careful not to strip the screws. Take pictures as you disassemble the keyboard to remember how to put it back together.
3. Slowly separate the keyboard housing into its parts. Be mindful of any ribbon cables or other delicate components, and don’t force anything apart.
4. Once disassembled, you can clean each individual piece more thoroughly. You can wash the plastic housing in soapy water, or wipe down metallic parts. Do not submerge any electronic components in water.
5. Allow all parts to air dry completely before reassembling the keyboard. This is the most critical step in preventing any short circuiting or damage to the electronic components.
6. Carefully reassemble the keyboard, making sure all screws are tightened, and that all parts are in their original positions. If you have any doubts, refer to your original photos and any online documentation.

Step 6: Reattaching the Keycaps

Once everything is clean and dry, it’s time to reattach the keycaps. This is often the most rewarding part, as your keyboard should be looking and feeling brand new.

1. Refer to your “before” photo if you took one or any other source that can help you organize your keycaps. Start by reattaching the larger keycaps with stabilizers (if applicable). Take your time and make sure that stabilizers are correctly placed and that the keycaps click in securely.
2. Carefully place the rest of the keycaps back onto their corresponding switches. Make sure the keycaps are aligned properly and then press down firmly until they click into place. You should feel a satisfying click when a keycap is properly seated.
3. Double-check all keycaps to make sure they are securely attached. Pay close attention to any areas with stabilizers or specialty keycaps.

Step 7: Final Touches and Testing

With the keycaps reattached, your keyboard cleaning project is almost complete.

1. Use a microfiber cloth to give the keyboard one last wipe down. Remove any fingerprints or smudges.
2. Plug your keyboard back into your computer. Ensure everything works correctly by opening a text document and testing all keys.
3. Enjoy your freshly cleaned and renewed mechanical keyboard!

Tips for Maintaining a Clean Keyboard

To keep your keyboard cleaner for longer, consider adopting these tips:

• Wash your hands regularly. This is the most important step to keeping any keyboard clean. Clean hands reduce oils and grime that transfer from your fingers to the keyboard.
• Avoid eating and drinking around your keyboard. This prevents crumbs and spills from getting inside. If you do need to eat while using your computer, try to eat over a plate or a separate surface to limit the crumbs falling on the keyboard.
• Use a keyboard cover when not in use. A cover can protect your keyboard from dust and other contaminants.
• Clean your keyboard regularly. Even a quick wipe-down with a dry cloth can make a big difference. Depending on your usage, aim for a quick clean every couple of weeks, and a deep clean every 3-6 months.
• Consider a small desk vacuum with a brush attachment. This can help quickly remove dust and debris from between the keys without having to remove the keycaps every time.

Conclusion

Cleaning your mechanical keyboard might seem like a daunting task at first, but with the right tools and a little patience, it’s a straightforward process that will significantly improve your typing experience and prolong the life of your keyboard. By following the steps in this guide, you can restore your mechanical keyboard to its original glory and enjoy it for many years to come. Remember that consistent cleaning and care can go a long way in ensuring that your mechanical keyboard remains a joy to use.