A dirty keyboard not only hinders typing, but also exposes you to health risks. Clean up your keyboard safely using the following tips.

The first thing’s you should do is to unplug your keyboard. Make sure the batteries are taken out.

Dust can really make typing unpleasant. But it’s not hard to fix this problem. Use a small soft-bristled dusting brush. It will work well.

Don’t forget to buy disinfectant sprays as daily use can breed a whole different kind of filth that needs to be removed from your keys. If you don’t want to harm your precious keyboard, try to find cleaning solutions that are electronics-friendly. You can take a little alcohol solution, but don’t pour it into your keyboard. Simply moisten a paper towel or an old rag with it. Then, scrub a paper towel or a rag over the tops of the keys. Use a wet cotton bud to go down in between the keys.

How to deal with spilled coffee or soda on your keyboard.

When spills occur on the keyboard and you don’t want to use your real sticky keys, the first thing you should do is to unplug your keyboard. Dump out any excess liquid and mop up with paper towels. Then remove the keycaps from the keyboard. For desktop keyboards, it’s better to use a screwdriver or a butter knife. For laptop keyboards, you can use your fingernails to lift up a side of the keycaps and snap them off. Aside from spilled coffee or soda, you may find potato chip grease, or popcorn pieces stuck under the keys. Take a vacuum and get rid of all those crumbs stored in your keyboard! Dump the keycaps into a container with warm, soapy water and give them a good rub to remove any sticky stains. Dry keycaps with a cloth then reattach them. If you have a standard keyboard, you’ll be able to find references to where all the keys should be placed. Also, you can take a photo of your keyboard to remember the layout of the keys. Place keycaps over their correct position and press them until you hear a snap. Then, give the keyboard a quick wipe over and you have a clean keyboard.

Don’t forget that to keep your keyboard in tip-top condition you should clean it weekly. The more thorough clean could be done every 2 months (depending on use).

Have a better way to clean a keyboard? Share in the comments!