In today’s technology world, life without a computer is boring. It’s a technological miracle that has covered the entire world.
If you own a laptop, then you must know the benefits that you can get from it.
It lets you explore the entire world sitting on a desk. If you own a small business, then you might be using the same laptop every day.
Frequent use of the laptop can result in a high amount of dust collection in different parts.
A laptop’s keyboard is the hardware that collects the highest amount of dust and dirt.
If you end up with a faulty keyboard or some keys don’t properly, then consider cleaning your laptop’s keyboard regularly.
People who don’t aware of the simple methods end up paying hundreds of bucks to the computer repairer.
To save money and time, it is essential for every laptop owner to know the most basic methods of cleaning a laptop’s keyboard.
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You can actually get your keyboard working by applying simple methods.
This article will show you the different methods of cleaning Laptop Keyboards.
You should follow these methods regularly to keep the dust and dirt away from the keyboard and other areas around.
Simple Methods to Clean Up Laptop Keyboards
There are two different methods of cleaning laptop keyboards, one is normal cleaning and the other one is deep cleaning.
If you haven’t cleaned up your laptop for years, then deep cleaning is what is needed to clean up the sticky dirt from the keys and other areas around.
For normal users, here we have enlisted the most common and simple cleaning methods to remove dirt and dust from the keys and keyboard areas effectively.
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It is essential for you to keep your laptop and all the hardware of the machine clean to avoid extra damage and unwanted repairs.
Dust and dirt are the main reason behind some of the parts of the laptop not functioning well.
To keep your laptop in good condition, and to make it run smoother, you must have to clean it up regularly.
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With simple cleaning methods, you can easily clean up the exterior of the keyboards.
These methods are highly used by all laptop owners and are considered the simplest methods.
It takes only a couple of minutes to clean up keyboards and keep them dirt-free.
Let’s get on to the cleaning methods now!
Most Common Laptop Keyboard Cleaning Methods
Method 1:
Using Compressed Air
It all starts with dust blowing and not by using any kind of liquid ingredients.
What you can do is try cleaning the laptop’s keyboard using compressed air.
This is by far the most effective and commonly used method by almost all PC users and laptop users.
It is also considered the safest method to clean up the Keyboard.
When you introduce liquid ingredients, there is a chance of short-circuit or further damage to the keys and their circuits.
But when you use compressed air, all the worries will be gone.
You could buy a compressed air can from a nearby grocery store or you can even grab it from your office.
If you frequently visit the supermarket, then you can also buy a suitable size of can of compressed air just to clean up the Keyboard’s dirt.
It’s a one-time investment and you can regularly clean up the keyboard with it.
Steps to Clean up the Laptop Keyboard using Compressed Air
Step 1:
The first thing you need to do is turn off the Laptop.
Make sure that the main switch of the Laptop is turned off. If you are using it with a power plug, turn off the power plug as well.
Step 2:
Consider wearing safety gear during the cleaning task. You can wear a dust mask, safety glasses or goggles, and gloves.
Step 3:
After that, take out the laptop and remove the battery from the laptop.
This is just because of avoiding any electrical issues during the process.
Step 4:
Now open the lid of the laptop and put it upside down.
This way, you can remove the excess dirt and dust from the keyboard without any effort.
Step 5:
You can also shake the laptop while keeping it in an upside-down position.
Step 6:
Now, turn it upright and place it on a flat surface.
Step 7:
Take out the compressed air can which should come with a straw.
Blow air between the keys using this compressor’s straw.
After that, wipe the keys of the laptop with a normal cloth.
That’s how you can easily clean up the Keyboard of your laptop using the simple method of compressed air.
This method is highly used by all computer repairers. You too can do the same to keep your Laptop well-maintained.
Method 2:
By using Vacuum Cleaner
If you do not want to go with the compressed air method for the cleaning process of your laptop’s keyboard, then there’s an alternative and exactly opposite method you can try.
Yes, by using a vacuum cleaner. A Vacuum Cleaner comes with good suction power.
It can easily suck up the stubborn dirt and dust placed underneath the keyboard and nearby areas.
If you have a standard vacuum cleaner with multiple attachments, then you can easily use a suitable attachment to clean up the keyboard and keys of the laptop.
This is also a very simple method and by far the most affordable and worry-free technique to clean up the keyboard without any kind of further damage to the keyboard.
Steps to Clean up the Laptop Keyboard Use Vacuum Cleaner
Step 1:
Make sure that the Laptop is turned off.
Unplug it from the main power source and remove all the attachments from the laptop.
Also, remove the battery of the laptop to avoid potential electrical issues during the cleaning task.
Step 2:
Wear a dust mask, gloves, goggles, etc. to keep yourself safe from dirt particles.
Step 3:
Open the lid of the laptop and carefully turn it upside down. Shake it gently to remove excess dirt from the keyboard and nearby areas.
Step 4:
Turn it upright and place it on a flat surface.
Step 5:
Attach a crevice tool to the vacuum cleaner and turn it on. Make sure that the Vacuum Cleaner is at the highest suction mode.
Step 6:
Gently run the crevice tool in between the keys and cover the entire keyboard. Do it for up to five times.
Step 7:
After that, turn it upside down again and shake it gently. This will remove the dirt and debris from the keys.
Step 8:
Wipe the Keyboard with a normal cotton cloth.
You should do the same thing every once a week to keep your Laptop well-maintained.
Remember, dust and dirt cause a lot of issues on the system and you may not want to spend your hard-earned money on the regular maintenance of the machine.
These are the most common and basic keyboard cleaning methods that you can use while cleaning your laptop’s keyboard.
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Depending upon the availability of the tools, you can use any of the suitable methods.
Now, many people have the habit of operating their computers and laptops while eating things.
If you do it regularly, then the chances of developing a sticky layer on the keyboard and keys are high.
You might have faced this issue and tried to clean up the keyboard with a normal cloth.
But that’s not the way to clean up the keyboard especially if it is a sticky one.
For that, you need to use the liquid ingredient. Let’s see how you can clean up the sticky keyboard.
Method 3:
How to Clean up the Sticky Keys of the Laptop?
Sticky keys are caused by dirt and debris associated with liquid.
When you found that the keyboard smells odd and the keys get sticky and look unpleasant, then consider using this method to clean up your keyboard.
Sticky Keys lower your working capabilities as they require extra effort while pressing.
You can’t get rid of such sticky elements placed on your keys or underneath the keyboard using an air-compressed technique or a vacuum cleaner.
For that, you have to clean up the sticky layer manually from the keyboard.
You can use wet wipes or we can say disinfecting wipes to clean up the sticky keys of your laptop’s keyboard.
Follow the below-given steps to clean up the sticky keys.
Steps to Clean up the Sticky Keyboard
Step 1:
Make sure that the Laptop is turned off and is unplugged from the power source.
You also need to remove the battery of the keyboard to avoid potential electrical issues in the future.
Step 2:
Now, open the lid of the laptop and turn it upside down. Shake it gently to remove excessive dirt and debris from the keyboard.
Step 3:
After this, turn the laptop upright and place it gently on a flat surface.
Step 4:
Take a wet wipe or a disinfecting wipe to clean up the keys gently. Make sure you do it gently.
It will need extra time as you have to clean up each key of the keyboard manually.
Step 5:
After this, turn the laptop upside down again, shake it gently, and place it back on a flat surface.
Step 6:
Clean up the keyboard with a normal cloth by simply wiping it.
You should clean up your laptop’s keyboard using a microfiber cloth.
That uses a liquid cleaning agent to keep the surfaces and the keyboard clean.
If you clean up the keyboard regularly, you will not have to spare extra time for the cleaning procedure.
It takes only a couple of minutes and that’s how you can save hundreds of bucks for the maintenance caused by dirt and dust.
Method 4:
By using Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol is known for its active cleaning properties and is also known as rubbing alcohol used by computer industries.
It is an ideal solution for cleaning the screens and keyboards of laptops.
Alcohol comes in a liquid form and it evaporates quickly. It keeps the surface clean and free from dirt and dust.
You can simply rub alcohol on the keys and keyboard to remove dirt, dust, and debris easily.
It also works great on the sticky keyboard so you can use it on the sticky keyboards as well.
Let’s check out the steps to use this technique for cleaning up the keyboard.
Steps to Clean up the Laptop Keyboard Using Alcohol
Step 1:
Unplug the laptop from the power source and turn it off.
Make sure that the laptop is turned off and then remove the battery to avoid further electrical damage.
Step2:
Make sure to wear gloves, dust masks, and other safety gear while performing this operation.
Step 3:
To clean up the keyboard using alcohol, you need to have some swabs handy and a little bit of alcohol.
Step 4:
Soak a swab in alcohol and clean up each key of the keyboard gently.
Make sure you clean up the top and the sides of each key gently with the cotton swab.
Step 5:
Consider changing the swabs frequently. If you don’t change the swab, the chances of redeveloping the layer of dirt on the keys are high.
When you use a fresh swab, it will thoroughly clean up the keyboard. When a swab becomes black, change it immediately.
After completing the cleaning process, wipe out the keyboard with a plain cotton cloth to remove excessive dirt and alcohol from the keys.
Make sure you do it gently otherwise, you will end up damaging the keys which you might not want.
Method 5:
By removing the Keys
If you don’t care about the regular maintenance of your laptop, you can’t remove dirt or dust from the keyboard with simple methods.
In such circumstances, you need to remove the keys manually and clean them up thoroughly.
Since you have to remove and clean up each key manually, you will have to spend a few hours for a thorough clean.
The following steps will guide you on how you can remove and clean up the keys manually.
Let’s get on to the steps now!
Steps to Clean up the Laptop Keyboard by removing the keys
Step 1:
Unplug your laptop from the power source and turn it off.
Also, remove the battery from the laptop to avoid potential damages caused by electricity.
Step 2:
Now, pick a screwdriver and place the thin end under the key. Keys are connected with a connector, when you press gently on the screwdriver, the key will be popped out from the connector.
Step 3:
Follow the same process to remove each key of the keyboard. Also, take out the spacebar key.
Step 4:
Put all the keys in a basin full of warm water. Add some dishwasher soap or detergent soap. Keep them as it is in the soapy water.
Step 5:
Now, take a laptop and keep it upside down to remove excessive dirt and dust particles.
Step 6:
Place the laptop on a flat surface. Clean up the keyboard surface and other areas thoroughly with a plain cotton cloth.
You can also use alcohol and swabs for deep cleaning of the sticky area of the keyboard.
Step 7:
Rinse each key of the keyboard and let them dry properly before you connect them back to the keyboard.
Step 8:
Now, take a key, place it on the connector, and apply gentle pressure on it. The key will be placed back and connected to the connector.
This is how you can remove the keys and clean the entire keyboard manually with a deep cleaning method.
You should not follow this method if your keyboard is working well.
If some of the keys stopped working, only then you should go for this process. It requires a special technique and hard work as well.
No matter what method you use, you have to be careful to avoid further damage and the risk of extra maintenance.
Final words:
We hope you have gained enough knowledge about cleaning up the keyboard of your computer system and laptop.
All the methods listed above are for all types of users.
Depending on your requirements, you can choose a suitable cleaning method to clean up your laptop’s keyboard.
