Flip your keyboard over. Seriously.
How to clean a keyboard
Unplug or switch off the keyboard, turn it upside down and tap out the crumbs, brush between the keys with a soft brush, then wipe the keys with a cloth barely damp with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.
Never spray or pour liquid onto a keyboard: put a little on the cloth instead. Rubbing alcohol is flammable, so keep it away from heat and let it dry before you power on. Use it on its own, never mixed with other cleaners.
Never mix cleaning products. Bleach plus ammonia, vinegar or other acids releases toxic gases. Use one product at a time, rinse between them, ventilate, and unplug appliances before you clean them.
Part of: Printable weekly cleaning checklist
Step by step
- Unplug it, or switch off the laptop
- Turn the keyboard upside down and tap gently to shake out crumbs (tilt a laptop, don't bang it)
- Brush between the keys with a soft, clean paintbrush or make-up brush
- Wipe the keys with a microfibre cloth barely damp with isopropyl alcohol
- Let it dry fully before switching back on
Watch it in 30 seconds
FAQ
How to clean a keyboard?
Unplug or switch off the keyboard, turn it upside down and tap out the crumbs, brush between the keys with a soft brush, then wipe the keys with a cloth barely damp with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.
What are the steps to clean a keyboard?
1. Unplug it, or switch off the laptop. 2. Turn the keyboard upside down and tap gently to shake out crumbs (tilt a laptop, don't bang it). 3. Brush between the keys with a soft, clean paintbrush or make-up brush. 4. Wipe the keys with a microfibre cloth barely damp with isopropyl alcohol. 5. Let it dry fully before switching back on.
Is it safe to clean a keyboard at home?
Yes, with care. Never spray or pour liquid onto a keyboard: put a little on the cloth instead. Rubbing alcohol is flammable, so keep it away from heat and let it dry before you power on. Use it on its own, never mixed with other cleaners. Never mix cleaning products. Bleach plus ammonia, vinegar or other acids releases toxic gases. Use one product at a time, rinse between them, ventilate, and unplug appliances before you clean them.