It is difficult to find a device that suffers during operation the way the keyboard of a personal computer or laptop suffers.
In order to save time, someone drinks coffee, eats, smokes at the computer, someone basically forgets what dry cleaning is. The result is that the device becomes clogged with dirt and debris, loses its properties and eventually becomes unusable.
In order to avoid negative consequences, you should regularly use one of several simple methods for cleaning your keyboard at home.
How to properly clean a laptop keyboard at home?
The method of cleaning the keyboard depends on the nature and complexity of the dirt: if in order to clean the keyboard from dust, you don’t have to disassemble it, then removing heavy dirt, sticky traces of drinks (sweet tea, coffee) or jam will require certain knowledge and skills.
In any case, the first thing to do is disconnect the computer from the network. If you need to clean the laptop keyboard, the device is completely turned off and, if possible, the battery is disconnected.
IMPORTANT! You can disconnect a wireless USB keyboard without unplugging your computer. If the keyboard is wired, then such a disconnection may damage the device. Therefore, in any case, it is better to first disconnect both the computer and the laptop from the power supply.
Do you have a laptop?
Not really
You can clean dust from the surface of the laptop keyboard with a small soft furniture brush, and remove debris stuck under the keys using a car vacuum cleaner or a can of compressed air. Traces of dirt and grease can be easily removed with liquids based on isopropyl alcohol.
There are several popular ways to clean a laptop keyboard at home, which we will discuss in this article. Among them, you can choose the appropriate one depending on the consistency of the stains, the degree of contamination and the available products.
13 ways to clean your computer and laptop monitor at home can be found in this article.
Why do you need to clean?
Even the most careful users need to clean their laptop or laptop keyboard from time to time. This is due to the fact that dust particles from the air settle on the surface of the device, the keys are in close contact with the sweat and fatty layer on the fingers, and over time, crumbs and particles of small debris become clogged between the keys.
It is very important to regularly remove traces of foreign substances and debris from the keyboard, otherwise the keys will begin to stick, which leads to malfunction of the matrix and problems with the processor. In the future, this may affect not only the speed and quality of work - over time, a dirty, neglected keyboard will simply fail.
Important! In order for the device to remain operational for as long as possible and meet its original characteristics, it is necessary to take care of the device: carefully monitor cleanliness and regularly perform preventive maintenance.
How to use
To fully clean the keyboard, it is important to follow a number of rules. Necessary:
- Carefully remove the slime from the packaging. Then spread it over the surface of a small area of the keyboard. It is important that it completely captures all the buttons there.
- Press the slime firmly, but with little force. Then slowly peel it off. Thanks to this, you will be able to remove all the dirt and debris that was in the keyboard.
- Turn the slime over and place it on the clean side. Now repeat this operation.
- Rinse the toy. Do this when the slime is completely covered with debris. It is advisable to use cool or warm water for this.
- Roll out the slime in your hands. At the same time, remove all excess moisture, and then, if necessary, carry out the cleaning procedure again.
Please note that the keyboard slime must be clean at all times. Therefore, it needs to be rinsed again after cleaning. To do this, rinse it in warm water and dry it. Be sure to knead it and put it in place.
It is recommended to store this slime only in an airtight container. The lid must close tightly, otherwise the slime will dry out and tear. Afterwards, it will be possible to achieve only partial recovery by placing it in ordinary water.
Have you left a comment?
External cleaning
After preparing the device for cleaning: disconnecting from the power supply, turning it off completely and, if possible, disconnecting the battery, you should clean the external keys.
The easiest way is to use a soft brush. A brush for furniture, clothes, and even clean brushes for painting or applying decorative cosmetics are suitable. Next, the surface can be wiped with a damp dust cloth. These procedures are sufficient for regular keyboard cleaning.
If a more thorough approach is required, you can choose any of the available effective ways to clean the keys from dirt.
Cleaning a laptop keyboard with slime
Slime is a transparent jelly Velcro that can be used to quickly and safely clean the keyboard from external traces of dirt. The peculiarity of the slime is that it spreads over the keyboard, collecting all the dirt, and then is carefully removed from the surface, leaving no traces. Such slimes are sold in auto stores and computer stores.
You can make slime yourself using PVA glue, colored paints and a tablespoon of sodium tetraborate solution.
The ingredients are mixed until the desired consistency is created, and then brought into the required shape with hands wearing rubber gloves.
Cleaning the keyboard with slime is an effective and safe way to remove stubborn dirt from the surface of the keyboard of both a desktop computer and a laptop.
This article will tell you how to remove slime (aka slime) from the carpet.
Vacuuming
The vacuum cleaner is perfect for cleaning fragile keyboards on devices such as Macbooks or Razers. It is best to use a small vacuum cleaner with a blow function. This way, dust and dirt are first blown out from hard-to-reach places and then sucked up by a vacuum cleaner.
In addition to safety for fragile and capricious devices, this method has a clear advantage in speed: the keyboard is clean in just a couple of minutes.
ATTENTION! Sometimes the vacuum cleaner sucks up individual keys. In this case, the part should be removed from the dust container, washed and put back in place.
Detailed instructions on how to clean a vacuum cleaner at home are presented in this article.
Cleaning with alcohol
A cotton swab or napkin soaked in isopropyl alcohol is ideal for removing surface dirt from a laptop keyboard.
IMPORTANT! The alcohol must be isopropyl alcohol: upon contact with ethyl alcohol, the inscriptions on the keys may be erased.
Using a cotton swab slightly moistened with isopropyl alcohol or an alcohol-containing product, you can wash hard-to-reach areas around the keys, and wipe the main working surface with a napkin.
ATTENTION! Under no circumstances should you allow excess moisture to come into contact with the keyboard. Especially on a laptop keyboard, since there are fragile parts underneath it.
Using gel
In addition to improvised means, you can use special substances designed to clean the keyboards of desktop computers and laptops: these include liquids, gels and sprays.
Special products are applied to the keyboard according to the instructions, and then carefully wiped with a cloth. Cleaning with special products is effective in combating surface external contamination.
Cleaning with compressed air
In order to clear debris that has accumulated between the keys and in hard-to-reach places, cleaning with a can of compressed air is ideal. These cans are sold at any auto store.
To clean the keyboard, just press the lid and direct the jet onto the keys. Under the pressure of the air stream, all accumulated debris will appear on the surface of the keyboard - all you have to do is wipe the device with a soft, damp cloth.
ATTENTION! To prevent debris from settling on the cleaned surface, keep the keyboard tilted while cleaning with compressed air.
What is slime
It is a gel-like substance with a specific but quickly dissipating odor. The advantage of keyboard cleaning slime is that it can get into any crevices. Thanks to this, it selects small particles from there: everything from crumbs with hair to dust.
The slime features are as follows:
- it has softness and sufficient moisture;
- ideally adheres to any surface;
- spreads out over the smallest cracks and immediately after that gathers into one common mass.
Due to this, keyboard slime ideally removes debris and dirt. It literally dissolves absorbed dust and other small contaminants. This will keep your hands clean and your keyboard or any other surface clean. You can stock up on a disinfectant variety if the device is used by several people at once.
Expert opinion
Svetlana
Slime expert
It is worth noting that after such cleaning the surface acquires dust-repellent characteristics. That is, any specks and dust particles will stick in a smaller volume.
When is it necessary to disassemble?
Despite the effectiveness of external keyboard cleaning using air, improvised and special means, there are a number of situations in which the device will have to be disassembled.
These are the situations:
- If liquid is spilled on the keyboard. A device flooded with tea, coffee or compote will have to be disassembled in any case.
- If you plan to do a general cleaning of the keyboard. It is recommended to carry out it approximately once every 3 months, but at least once a year.
- If after external cleaning the keys become stuck, stuck or do not work.
- If external cleaning has not dealt with the amount of debris and dust stuck in the device, and debris particles are visible to the naked eye.
- If, when pressed, a key makes a characteristic sound, similar to a squeak, the key is pressed only with force.
ATTENTION! Before you begin deep cleaning, be sure to make sure that the device is without a battery and is not connected to the mains.
How to remove and reinsert laptop keys?
If the design of the laptop is non-standard, if the need arises to disassemble the keyboard, it is better to turn to professionals. Any confident PC user can disassemble a standard laptop; the main thing is to do it carefully, observing all safety precautions.
To deep clean the keyboard you will need a screwdriver, a soft brush, optionally an old toothbrush, detergent, a plastic bag or some container that will hold the keys
ATTENTION! Before you start disassembling the keyboard, you should definitely take a photo of it so that during assembly there will be no problems with the order of the keys.
Removing the buttons
Having disconnected the device from the power supply and the system unit and taken a preliminary picture of the keyboard, you can begin to remove the buttons. It's better to start with the keys that represent letters and numbers. They are easier to remove, clean and put back in place. The keys should be carefully pryed off with a screwdriver or tweezers, preferably with a curved end.
Next, the lower levers are removed from the grooves using gentle pressure. It's a little more difficult to remove the spacebar button. It is attached to the base with two latches along the edges and an additional latch along the entire length of the key. First, remove the side amplifiers, then remove the amplifiers near the bottom edge of the button from left to right. Next, the “space” is removed in the same way as the letter keys.
The keys labeled Shift and Enter have metal clips on them, so you need to be careful when removing them.
It is better not to remove the Enter key at all, since its fastening is particularly complex. Next, the keys should be placed in a plastic bag or container with detergent. Without removing from the container, rinse under running water and then dry thoroughly.
The keyboard base can be cleaned with a brush and detergent. Then wipe the base of the keyboard dry with a napkin.
IMPORTANT! It is strictly forbidden to wash the board, elastic contacts and film with applied contacts.
How to put the keyboard back together?
If after cleaning all the components of the keyboard remain intact, reassembling it will not be difficult. It is enough to place each button in its place and gently press until it clicks. If the mount is not damaged, returning the key to its place will be quite easy. It is better to attach the large keys first, then all the rest.
You should be especially careful when attaching the space bar: metal amplifiers are inserted first, then the button itself. After pressing first on the top edge, then on the bottom, you should hear a characteristic click.
Advice! If any of the buttons do not click into place, the mount is most likely damaged and the keyboard should be taken to a professional.
How to clean your keyboard
- Remove the gel from the package;
- Place it on the surface to be cleaned and let it spread as much as possible over the surface. If necessary, spread it with your fingers until it enters all the grooves;
- it can be collapsed on the keyboard with a light press;
- Carefully starting from the edge, detach it from the keyboard and rinse under running water;
- place it on paper and wait until all the moisture has evaporated;
- When finished, put the slime back into the bag and fasten the zipper.
“Super Clean” keyboard cleaning gel is made in China. Supplied in 80g sealed boxes with Zip-Lock. Packaging is available in a variety of colors, but is usually green and blue, sometimes clear or opaque. The instructions are in Chinese, but the description is supplemented with photographs.
The cost of slime usually does not exceed 150 rubles.
Special cleaning products used for electrical equipment
Specialty cleaning products used for electrical equipment, including keyboards, include:
- napkins,
- sprays,
- gels,
- slime gels (such as Super clean),
- compressed air cylinders.
Such products are sold in household and computer equipment stores, or in specialized online stores. Many manufacturers, such as AF or Boco, produce cleaning kits for professional computers and laptops, where each product has its own unique composition and is suitable for a specific type of component.
These kits are a little more expensive, but their composition and properties are ideal for the task at hand: be it cleaning the screen, keyboard, or any other part of a professional computer.
Have you already cleaned your laptop keyboard?
Of course not yet
What to do if liquid is spilled on the keyboard?
If the keyboard was accidentally spilled with tea, coffee, juice or any other liquid, you must proceed according to the following algorithm:
- Immediately disconnect the device from the power supply. Switch off. Take out the battery.
- Disconnect all peripheral devices: mouse, printer, hard drive, camera, headphones.
- Wipe the liquid from the body with a damp soft cloth. The laptop or keyboard must first be turned over so that most of the liquid does not penetrate further into the case and, if possible, flows out.
IMPORTANT! It is better not to turn on a flooded laptop for 1-3 days.
If the laptop has been flooded with water or a small volume of any other liquid, then you can try to save the device yourself: disassemble it according to the instructions into the smallest components possible, rinse and dry thoroughly. Dry computer parts for 24-48 hours in a dry, ventilated area. After 2 days, the laptop can be assembled and its functionality checked.
If the device does not turn on, you should contact a service center.
The same should be done if the keyboard of a laptop or desktop computer was filled with a large amount of liquid containing all kinds of acids: it could be tea, coffee, beer, juice or something else.
After wiping the body with a damp cloth, it is better to leave the device in the hands of professionals. In this case, the chance of saving not only the keyboard, but the entire laptop is much higher than with independent intervention.
Preventing your laptop from getting dirty
In order for your laptop to remain functional for as long as possible, regular maintenance is necessary. Many people confuse two completely different concepts - cleaning a laptop and preventing the laptop from getting dirty. Laptop cleaning should be done as soon as the device gets dirty, and preventive maintenance should be done at least once a year.
Advice! Prevention is best done by professional services. There they will not only clean the elements from accumulated dust, but also give an objective assessment of the general condition of the equipment and the necessary recommendations.
As preventive measures available to everyone, you should carry out regular wet cleaning, wipe off dust from the device, and, if possible, do not eat, drink or smoke above the keyboard. With this treatment, the device will serve for a long time, maintaining compliance with all original characteristics.
Slime for car cleaning
Cleaning the keyboard is not the only task that the slime can handle. Some of them are also used for cleaning various surfaces in cars.
More often they are used to remove dust or small debris from joints and other surfaces, the dashboard. To do this, you just need to apply the slime to them, wait until it drains and then place it on another area.
It is recommended to carry out such cleaning once every one and a half to two weeks or as it gets dirty. It is better not to do this too often and, during breaks, wipe the surfaces in the car with an alcohol solution or special wipes.
Expert opinion
Svetlana
Slime expert
Please note that the slime should only be used to clean the inside of the car. Its use outside will be much less effective: stains and colored areas may remain on the matte surface.
